Mato Grasso Overshadows Midwest

Progressive Farmer (h/t Big Picture Agriculture):

Mato Grosso, Brazil's principle soybean state, will become the undisputed center of the grains industry and a more important player in pork and poultry over the next ten years, according to the latest outlook released by IMEA, the state's agricultural economy institute.

The state's farmers will bring another 12 million acres into grain production by 2021-22 and increase output by nearly 80% to 68 million metric tons, said the survey.

Soybean production is pegged to grow 62% to 39.1 mmt by 2021-22, due principally to a 52% jump in planted area. The expansion will principally occur in the underexploited east of the state, and the center-north. As a result, Mato Grosso's already substantial share of Brazilian production will grow by eight percentage points to 40%.

Meanwhile, the trend for planting second-crop corn will intensify. Area is seen rising 69% to 12.1 million hectares by 2021-22, while production is seen doubling to 28.6 mmt, reflecting a 22% increase in yields as more advanced technology becomes widely employed with the winter crop. Mato Grosso's participation in overall Brazilian corn production will rise from 23% to 36%.

The wider availability of corn as well as soybeans will allow pork output to double to 373,200 tons and poultry output will rise 96% to 997,300 tons. However, the distance from markets means the state will still only produce a relatively small proportion of Brazilian output; some 9% for pork and 6% for poultry.

Much of the expansion in grains production will come on top of pasture. As a result, livestock area is seen sliding 19% to 48 million acres by 2021-22. However, more intensive farming means livestock levels will rise 2% to 29.6 million.

That is unfreakingbelievable.  Second crop corn!?  Geez.