How Much Did It Rain In South America?

As soon as we wrap up harvest here in the United States, grain traders turn their attention to South American weather. With the huge demand for corn and soybeans worldwide, it will be important that South America does not have too many weather issues. Actually, being honest, I would not mind some weather issues in South America. I know that does not sound good, but production issues in South America would mean I would get a better price for my corn and beans. I suspect many other farmers feel the same way I do. Plus, I am certain farmers in South America would not mind seeing a drought in the United States next summer either!

That is how it has always been in production agriculture. To quote an old saying, "one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity." Knowing what the weather is actually like in South America will help farmers here in the United States market their crops. But that is the problem. It is difficult to get accurate weather reports out of South America. When it does rain in South America all you hear from traders and analysts is that the weather is "ideal" and record production is on the way!

But how much did it rain and how widespread was it? Were some important growing areas missed? The other day I was talking on the air with Gordy from Chido Commodities and he said he had found a great NOAA weather website that will allow farmers to better track the weather in South America. It is a NOAA National Weather Service site where you can see Brazil and Argentina rainfall totals for 1-30 days. In addition, you can see how much above or below normal those totals are. I have it bookmarked on my laptop!