2023/24 Soybean Yields Down 20% in Querencia, Mato Grosso

In the municipality of Querencia in eastern Mato Grosso, the soybeans are approximately 90% harvested and farmers are reporting that soybean yields are down at least 20% compared to prior years. Soybean yields are in the range of 52 sacks per hectare (46 bu/ac) when normally yields should be in the range of 64 sacks per hectare (57 bu/ac).

The principal causes of the reduced yields are irregular rainfall throughout the growing season and extended periods of hot and dry weather during the critical reproductive period for soybeans. There was also a significant outbreak of white flies that forced farmers to apply multiple applications of insecticides to control the pest.

Most farmers in the municipality are holding onto their soybeans in the hope of improved prices. Farmers who forward contracted their soybeans are delivering as much as they can to fulfill the contracts, but for farmers with the lowest yields, they may not be able to fulfill their contract.

As far as safrinha corn is concerned, farmers are expected to reduce their safrinha corn acreage by approximately 30% due to the high cost of production and corn prices that are below the cost of production. In lieu of corn, some farmers are planting grain sorghum, millet, sesame, and cover crops.

Tags: rainfall, soybeans, Mato Grosso, yields, dry weather, harvested, safrinha corn