Inmet warns of the impact of drought on the second corn harvest in the Central region of Brazil

The months from May to September are marked by the dry period in the central region of the country, when masses of dry air prevent the formation of rain clouds. Accumulated rainfall normally varies between 10 mm and 80 mm, with June and July being the most critical, with rainfall volumes of less than 40 mm. The National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) warns that, this year, the lack of rain could affect corn production in the region. 

The state of Mato Grosso, the largest producer of second-crop corn, has been suffering from drought since April. Some locations have had more than 25 days without rain, which could impact the development of the second harvest corn crop and, consequently, cause possible drops in productivity.

Inmet's climate forecast indicates rainfall within the climatological average in a large part of the state in the months of May, June and July, with rainfall expected between 40mm and 100mm, while in the north of the state, rainfall may be slightly above average.

Agrometeorologist Cleverson Freitas explains that, as a lack of rain can harm corn development, high temperatures, above 35°C, can also severely impact phenology and consequently productivity.

“The temperature forecast for the same quarter may be within and slightly above average, especially in July. Normally, the highest rainfall in the region occurs from September onwards, however we must pay attention to updates in the monthly agroclimatic bulletins issued by Inmet”, he states.

The institute highlights the importance of producers considering weather forecasts to reduce risks and achieve greater production and profit on the plantation.

Information about the weather forecast in your location is provided free of charge, considering the inclusion of areas producing different crops throughout Brazil. Agromet is the platform that provides real-time data from Inmet Meteorological Stations, weather forecast for seven days from that point, satellite images, downward trend in temperatures, excess or lack of rain, relative air humidity. It is also possible to map cotton, rice, coffee, sugar cane crops, as well as winter and summer crops.

Inmet has Sisdagro – Agricultural Decision Support System, which offers tools for monitoring and forecasting water balance and productivity in different crops, as well as forecasting conditions favorable to the formation of frost. Sisdagro also provides agroclimatological information regarding the water balance and days suitable for agricultural management.

Agromet is available in maps.inmet.gov.br, on the Inmet portal and in the Weather Forecast application: Inmet available for Android and IOS. And Sisdagro can be accessed on the Inmet portal or by clicking sisdagro.inmet.gov.br/sisdagro.