USDA underestimates crop loss in South America

A Brazilian grain analyst believes that the US Department of Agriculture has underestimates the growing crop losses in both soybeans and corn that are taking place now as a result of the sever drought in Southern Brazil and Argentina. The USDA's recent report estimated Brazilian corn production at 61 million tons, which would be close to last year's actual production level.

"I don't see this corn being harvested. I completely disagree with this number," says João Carlos Kopp, a market analyst and consultant working with farmers in Brazil. Kopp's own estimates, working with several farmers around the country, come to 50.9 million tons, including expected losses of 30 percent in Rio Grande Du Sol and 30 percent loss in Paraná, the country's leading corn state. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers. To get your copy of 'PPLAPP' click here.

Brazilian study quantified mycotoxin levels

A three year survey on commercial wheat grains aimed at quantifying the intensity of Fusarium head blight epidemics related to kernel quality and levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). The grain samples were obtained from 38 municipalities throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The results of the survey showed some interesting results, for the first time, the presence of NIV in levels comparable to DON is reported from a multi-year regional epidemiological survey in the country which should be of concern to the small grains industry. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers.