Argy Soybean Crop Cut Further

As Argentine farmers take their minds off their dispute with the government to get stuck into the harvest, final output continues to shrink.

Disappointing yields are being reported from many regions with 45% of the soybean crop and 59% of the corn crop now harvested.

Early and late season drought, lower agrochemical use, pests and heat stress have all combined to give farmers dismal yields.

The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange yesterday cut it's forecast for the current season's soybean crop to 37 MMT, the lowest output in five years, with yields averaging just 2.2 MT/hectare.

They estimate the corn crop at 13.5 MMT, similar to the USDA and Agricultural Secretariat.

Final production of both crops could still be lower yet they warn as hot & dry weather could lead to further reductions. Some field are likely to be abandoned completely or given over to grazing as their yield and quality potential is so poor, they say.