Rain Aids Safrinha Corn in Parana, Potential Frost Remains a Worry

The Department of Rural Economics in the state of Parana (Deral) indicated that recent rains have helped the safrinha corn in the state. The safrinha corn is 5% in vegetation development, 18% pollinating, and 7% filling grain and the corn is rated 5% average and 95% good. Parana is the second largest safrinha corn producing state in Brazil.

Even with the improved moisture, farmers in Parana are concerned that their late planted safrinha corn might be damaged by frost before the crop matures. In fact, there was frost in the higher elevations of Parana last week, but it did not affect the safrinha corn.

In the municipality of Itambe in northern Parana, the safrinha corn was planted 30 days later than normal due to the delayed soybean harvest. Most of the corn was planted in March instead of February. The delayed planting is expected to result in lower yields in the range of 80 to 90 sacks per hectare (76 to 86 bu/ac) instead of the more typical yields of 110 to 120 sacks per hectare (105 to 114 bu/ac). The corn is rated 30% poor, 20% average, and 50% good/excellent. The biggest concern for the crop is the possibility of frost any time before about mid-June.

Conab reported that Brazil’s safrinha corn is 42% in vegetative development, 45% pollinating, and 13% filling grain. The safrinha corn represents approximately 75% of Brazil’s total corn production.

Tags: crop, safrinha corn, frost, Parana, DERAL, yields