The following content was provided by meteorologist Gail Martell of MartellCropProjections.com:
South Brazil Rainfall Eases Drought
Rainfall has increased in Brazil’s two main southern soybean states, but worries about yield damage continue. Parana and Rio Grande do Sul have received approximately 100 millimeters of rainfall the past 30 days, mostly in the past 10 days. This amounts to around 55% of normal. South Brazil soybeans fill pods in February, the stage when drought is most damaging to the yield. A heat wave contributed to moisture stress. Parana maximum temperatures February to date were 3.5 C (6 F) above normal.
Previous drought and heat damaged soybeans especially in Parana the number two producing state. This was confirmed via satellite the “vegetative health index” worsening between January 29 and February 18.
The weather pattern has fundamentally changed in southern Brazil. The door is now wide open for showers, whereas previously a blocking ridge of high pressure warded off rainfall. Rainfall this week is predicted to be above normal with moderating temperatures. On the negative side, dry conditions would resume in the Brazil tropics.
