ARGENTINA: Unusual cold brings emergency delays to winter grains

Cold weather in Argentina has delayed the emergence of winter grains, according to the latest weekly bulletin from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The climatic condition, although dry, was dominated by lower than normal temperatures, which helped to support field work, but delayed the germination of winter grains. In all major agricultural areas of the country, average weekly temperatures were 2 to 4°C below normal. Frosts with nighttime temperatures ranging from -6 to 0°C were recorded in all but the northernmost agricultural areas. Regarding rainfall, only light to moderate rainfall, ranging from 5 to 25 mm, were recorded and concentrated near the borders with Brazil and eastern Paraguay. In most of the rest of the country, drought was the prevailing condition. According to the government of Argentina, as of June 15, the corn harvest was at 51%, down from 61% in the same period last year. The soybean harvest was at 97%, slightly below the 99% of the previous ...