Climate specialist highlights precipitation deficit in Mato Grosso


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Climate specialist highlights precipitation deficit in Mato Grosso

A climate specialist says dry conditions in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil has reached a historic record, hindering crop quality and progress.

Eric Snodgrass is the Principal Atmospheric Scientist for Nutrien Ag Solutions.

“Mato Grosso is currently sitting at about 20” in deficit of rainfall. Going back over the last 40 years, this is the driest such time period that the Climate Prediction Center has on record.”

He says soybean farmers there spent most of the season about 30% behind normal on their planting progress which is significant since Mato Grosso farmers produce about 30% of Brazil’s soybeans.

Snodgrass says the forecast shows relief is on the way, but it might be too much between now and February.

“Therefore as they go to get the first crop of soybeans out, which is already delayed, there are chances that the heavier rains could delay harvest even further as they could get an extra five inches over the next month.”

He says US soybeans farmers should be monitoring this because export opportunities are likely to arise if Brazil does not have enough crop to satisfy their export market.

Snodgrass presented this information in a webinar Thursday hosted by the Illinois Corn Growers Association.

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