Rain further delayed corn planting in parts of Argentina, pushing some growers to rearrange their plans, while the national pace remained historically brisk.
Corn planting advanced by 5.8 percentage points in the week through 8 October to almost 26pc complete, according to the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange (Bage). That was 7.9 percentage points ahead of the same period last year and is the second-best start in the past 10 seasons.
While rain improved moisture levels in some areas, it further soaked already-sodden fields in others, pushing some producers to postpone planting and switch to later-planted varieties, according to SAGyP.
The precipitation during the past week was mostly concentrated in the Buenos Aires province but also spread into neighboring regions, the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (SAGyP) said.
Wheat faces fungal outbreaks
Water-logged fields and warmer weather are resulting in "considerable" outbreaks of fungal infections and the spread of pests among wheat crops in the central part of Argentina's grain belt, Bage said.
The outlook nevertheless remains for high yields, with more than 94pc of the wheat crop in normal-to-excellent condition, and almost 91pc past the stem-setting stage and moving to flowering and filling, according to Bage.
Wheat growers are monitoring their crops and successfully applying products to control pests when necessary, the Rosario Board of Trade (BCR) said.
Soybean sowing to start
BCR expects soybean planting to begin as soon as next week, with 95pc of the so-called core region benefiting from adequate-to-abundant soil moisture levels.
Fields in parts of the core area are still too muddy and farmers might have to adjust planting plans based on which areas dry out first, BCR said.
Farmers are investing in better soybean varieties, including those with better herbicide resistance, as some weeds have spread earlier in the season than normal because of the plentiful rainfall, according to BCR.
Barley, sunflowers
Argentina's barley crop is developing well, with excess water hurting plants in a few small areas, SAGyP said.
Growers are monitoring for outbreaks of disease and applying fertilizers in some parts of the Buenos Aires province.
Sunflower planting advanced by 2.7 percentage points in the week through 8 October, reaching 35pc finished, Bage said. That was 22 percentage points ahead of the five-year average for the date, but recent rains have slowed planting in some areas, Bage said.
The entire sunflower crop is in normal-to-excellent condition, and just over 77pc of the area planted has adequate-to-optimal moisture levels, Bage said.
