Rains in the agricultural region: another key relief for soybeans and corn arrived

He climate He plays a fundamental role in the Argentine agricultural region and after weeks of uncertainty and little encouraging forecasts, The rains finally reached the areas most affected by the drought, such as in Entre Ríos and the core region. In some sectors, rainfall reached accumulated greater than 200 mm, generating a key relief for soy and corncrops that were supporting strong water stress, with performance falls and on the edge of a greater loss.

While not all areas received the same amount of water, the Rosario Stock Exchange (BCR) stressed that these rains represented a highly anticipated respite for the sector. Although some losses are already irreversible, specialists argue that this water contribution could put a floor to the agricultural campaign, braking the deterioration of crops and stabilizing yields in many productive areas.

It happens that the situation, until recently, was alarming. In Entre Ríos, water availability maps showed an extensive orange zone, reflecting the water deficit and production damage. Soy and corn crops already evidenced considerable deterioration, with a fall in the “good” and “very good” condition in weekly reports. However, the arrival of these rains not only improved moisture reserves in the soils, but also renewed the mood of the producers, who now have a less critical scenario to face the rest of the campaign.

A change in the agricultural panoramaline

The impact of these rains was disparate in the different regions. In Entre Ríos, the records varied between 6 mm and 275 mm, with the greatest accumulations in the central strip of the province, from Paraná to Concordia. The core zone also received important rainfall, with accumulated between 10 mm and 90 mm, according to data from the Rosario Stock Exchange. The highest values ​​were recorded in the north of the agricultural area, which allowed to improve the expectations for the first soybeans, which is currently defining its performance.

The corn, meanwhile, showed greater variability. In early January, 81% of the crops were between good and very good, but in recent weeks the figure decreased to 57%, reflecting the damage caused by the lack of previous rains. The situation remains delicate, but this climate event could sustain production in the most affected areas.

The producers now focus their attention on the evolution of the weather over the next weeks, because – beyond recent rains – forecasts indicate an increase in temperatures, which could generate a new challenge for crop recovery. Thermal stability will be essential to determine if these rains can mark a true turning point in the agricultural campaign.

In this sense, the climate consultant Cristian Russo, of the Rosario Stock Exchange, explained that “there are still determining weeks for the production of soybeans and late corn.” According to the specialist, the panorama could continue to improve if the rain forecasts in the north of the country are fulfilled, which would favor critical areas such as Chaco, Corrientes and part of Santa Fe.

On the other hand, the Strategic Guide Analyst for Agro (GEA), Florencia Poeta, stressed the importance of this climate event for second soybeans, which already had irreversible losses. He also stressed that the moisture accumulated in the soil could avoid an even greater fall in the estimated yields. In this context, late corn also finds an opportunity to sustain its productive cycle, although it continues to need more rainfall to achieve its potential.

Thick harvest: the game has not finished

Beyond this respite, the challenges continue. After the rains, climatic models anticipate a period of stability with rising temperatures, which could accelerate the evaporation of accumulated water and reduce the benefits of recent rainfall. For crops that are still in their critical development phase, this could mean a new blow, especially if the heat returns strongly in the next few days.

Despite this uncertain panorama, many producers recovered part of their optimism. The arrival of rains at this critical stage of the campaign marks a contrast to the extreme drought scenario that was lived in January, when the deterioration of crops seemed irreversible. Now, although the situation is still complex, at least there is a water bra to face the final stretch of the agricultural season.

The next weeks will be key to determining how deep was the impact of rains on the final yields. Although production will no longer reach the expected levels at the beginning of the campaign, the water relief of these days could avoid a greater disaster.