6th Crop Report as of 20 April
Overview of 6th Crop Report
The peanut crop is in the process of physiological maturity (R7-R8). Rainfall during April has been crucial in offsetting the March rainfall deficit.
Rainfall mostly benefited the Southern, Central, and Eastern areas of the province, exceeding the historical averages for the month. According to our analysis based on the reference map, rains were more significant in the Center, South, and East of the province compared to Western Córdoba and San Luis.
Overall, the productive areas featured on our crop map are in good condition. However, as always, the heterogeneity of peanut lots within each region makes accurate yield estimation difficult. Water reserve in soils and the impact of short-duration storms contribute to such inconsistency. Nonetheless, our initial average estimate is 3.3 tons per hectare as of the date of this report.
Digging activities have begun in the lots planted early with short-cycle seeds. So far, completion has reached almost 20%, indicating a slow pace for the time of the year, as peanuts have reached physiological maturity.
Currently, peanut digging and harvesting activities are at a standstill due to the conditions of the moisture-saturated soil. The likelihood of more rains in the coming days is concerning since they could aggravate the situation and result in yield losses.
However, we are optimistic about projections and believe that if weather conditions improve, digging tasks will be resumed in all productive areas.
Regarding phytosanitary management, between 3 and 4 applications against peanut smite have been made in all areas, to keep the leaves on the plants and achieve the best digging conditions.
The following graphs summarize the current crop status:
The overall crop condition has evolved since the March report, as featured in the following comparative table:
Upon closely analyzing the foregoing table, we may conclude that peanut crop development is generally good, although the evolution percentages have declined, mostly attributable to the March drought.
Climatic Update:
The week of 11-22 April featured heavy rainfall in approximately 90% of the area. Several areas accumulated more than 120 mm. Southeastern Córdoba and the region between General Pinto and Villegas, in Buenos Aires, had the maximum accumulated rainfall.
Consequently, soil water reserves increased substantially (soil saturation). This led to excess water levels in the Central/Eastern portion, while conditions were considered optimal in the Western area.
Peanut digging and harvesting activities have been discontinued.
Successful digging and harvesting activities require stable weather conditions for at least 30 days.
Reference map of peanut-growing areas
The main peanut-growing areas in Argentina include the provinces of Córdoba, La Pampa, San Luis and Buenos Aires.
March 2024 Climatic Conditions Analysis
Rainfalls:
March was marked by a rainfall deficit compared to the historical average (2007-2023) throughout the province. Chiefly, rainfall was concentrated in the first 15 days of the month, characterized by heavy storms, hail, and gusts of wind.
The Southeastern area of the province received the highest precipitation levels. Specifically, rainfall records stood out in Alejo Ledesma with 179 mm, followed by Sebastián Elcano with 173 mm and Arias with 165 mm.
The accumulated rainfall in the province of Buenos Aires was around 120 mm on the same dates.
Temperatures:
Average temperatures dropped compared to the same period of the previous year by up to 1°C throughout the province of Córdoba. The thermal amplitude fluctuated, with highs ranging between 19 and 26°C, while lows stood between 7 and 10°C for the coldest areas and between 10 and 12°C for the more temperate ones. Hernando, Córdoba featured the lowest minimum temperature of the period at 7.7°C.
The following image compares the isotherms of March 2024 vs. March 2023. Average temperatures were lower during this year, more similar to the ones expected in early autumn.
Field Tasks
Blight (Sclerotinia spp.) and peanut smut disease have continued to advance. Digging tasks have been accelerated in the lots suffering from these two soil diseases, to minimize losses. Such conditions mostly affected the long-cycle varieties, where the maturity percentage had not reached 45%, and required digging to minimize losses.
High humidity conditions increase the likelihood of occurrence of fungal diseases. High peanut smut incidence remains a concern, affecting over 20% of pods. However, in the lots where a minimum of 4 years of peanut-free rotation has been adopted, such incidence drops substantially to 10%.
After the last rainfall in the Eastern area of Córdoba, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires, growers are preparing agricultural equipment, such as rakes, to detach peanuts from the soil.
This procedure is carried out when heavy rainfall in short periods crushes the peanut rows and attaches them to the soil, which hinders harvesting tasks. Therefore, a high-speed rake is used to aerate the soil and detach the rows.
Conclusions
Peanut crops in Argentina feature diverse conditions depending on the geographical region. Generally, we may assert that the crop is in good condition. In this report, we detail the current state of the peanut crop, based on direct observations and in-depth analyses of the environmental and agronomic conditions in different productive regions.
Most of the crops have reached phenological stage R7-R8 (harvest maturity), which means that water uptake is practically nil and its development stage has concluded.
Due to high humidity and rainfall levels, monitoring activities have been intensified across lots, especially those affected by Sclerotinia and late leaf spot. Constant monitoring enables growers to determine the optimum time to start digging tasks and minimize crop losses.
The situation analysis by region determines that the lowest yield estimates belong to the Western and Northern areas, due to later planting and less rainfall. Contrarily, the Central, Southern and Eastern areas enjoy better productive conditions, with outstanding yield potential.
Gradually, digging tasks have been resumed in lots with short-cycle cultivars affected by diseases, accounting for approximately 20% of the total planted area. These tasks are expected to be extensively continued in the coming weeks, once weather conditions improve.
Despite the lack of heavy rains in March and the heat wave affecting crops in the peanut-growing region, pods have succeeded in reaching acceptable maturity percentages (+50%). This has allowed digging activities to be carried out, although at a slow pace due to the constantly unstable weather conditions.
At the time of this report, our average yield projection is 3.3 tons per hectare.
Recent rains, which accumulated more than 170 mm in some cases, have spurred concern for the crops planted in Buenos Aires and La Pampa. They have made field access difficult, and in some cases, digging equipment has even jammed due to mushy soils.
Overall, we are facing the “final stretch” of a new peanut crop, and the weather conditions from now on play a key role in this good harvest project coming to fruition. Let us follow the forecasts closely.
