Water stress affects 1,3 million hectares of soybeans in MS

Based on information collected by the Siga-MS Project, carried out by Aprosoja/MS, in the second week of January 2025, all regions of the state are in full vegetative and reproductive phenological development. In the north, northeast, west and southeast regions, the conditions of soybean crops are mostly good, ranging from 74,7% to 93,5%. Regular conditions in these regions range from 6,1% to 17,8%, and poor conditions are up to 7,5%. On the other hand, the southwest, center, south-border and south regions have conditions below the potential of the other regions. In these areas, crops with up to 25,6% in poor conditions can be found. Regular conditions range from 14,6% to 34,6%, and good conditions are between 39,8% and 69,3%.  

According to the technical team at Aprosoja/MS, soybean crops in Mato Grosso do Sul are going through a critical period. Based on the weekly assessment, approximately 1,3 million hectares are affected by water stress, representing 29% of the total area. Low rainfall has mainly impacted municipalities in the southern region of the state, with approximately 24 municipalities below the estimated state average productivity.

According to the technical coordinator of Aprosoja/MS, Gabriel Balta, the southern region has been experiencing moderate drought for 30 days, with little rainfall ranging from 1,4 mm to 66,6 mm, and 10 days of severe drought, with no rainfall. "The crops most affected are those planted between September and mid-October. In December, these crops began the grain filling period and, now, in January, they are in the maturation and harvest period," he points out.

On January 10th, approximately 32% of crops are in the most critical phenological stages, divided into 16% with grain filling, 14% with full grains and 2% at the beginning of maturation, with a large part in the southern region, which usually plants in advance.

This week, rain is expected to return to some municipalities. If the forecast is confirmed, volumes of up to 203 mm are expected for the southern region.

This year's harvest is expected to begin in the penultimate week of January. However, the bulk of the harvest is scheduled to occur between February 14 and March 21, covering 86% of the total. Harvesting is expected to continue until April 18.