Farmers in Brazil have planted 60% of their 2018/19 soybean crop compared to 43% last year and 41% for the 5-year average. This is up 14% for the week and continues to be a record fast planting pace for Brazilian soybeans.
As a result, farmers in Brazil are also on track for a record early start to the soybean harvest as well. In western Parana and in central Mato Grosso, the combines should go to the fields during the second half of December, which would be 10-15 days earlier than normal. The soybean harvest will also start earlier than normal due to the increased use of early maturing soybeans.
At the start of the harvest, the volume of soybeans will not be very large, but the volumes will start to increase in January and peak in February.
The weather in South America has been very good the past month and past 3 months.
A bit dry now in some eastern locations of Argentina.
Total rains the next 2 weeks from the latest, 18z operational GFS. Widespread rains....no domes or dry spots. Progressive weather systems, so no excessive rains in the main growing regions for corn and beans:
Image URL: http://mag.ncep.noaa.gov/data/gfs/18/samer/precip_ptot/gfs_samer_384_precip_ptot.gif
Crop calendar for Argentina:
http://www.soybeansandcorn.com/Argentina-Crop-Cycles
https://ipad.fas.usda.gov/rssiws/al/global_cropprod.aspx
Crop Calendar for Brazil:
http://www.soybeansandcorn.com/Brazil-Crop-Cycles