Weather could be improving in South America

The weather in South America could be improving,

according to analysts in the U.S. and Argentina.

"Last week's weather fears have calmed as the latest models confirm drier (weather) for the next 10 days for Argentina and rain relief for Brazil's safrina" corn crop, wrote Allendale's Paul Georgy in the Allendale Wake-Up Call on Monday.

In Argentina, although rain has lashed some areas, other top-producing grain regions have had good weather and the April harvest is proceeding, according to Stella Maris Carballo, of Argentina's Climate and Water Institute.

"The weather has been very uneven,"

she explained. "In (the grain-producing regions of) Buenos Aires and Cordoba, they are taking advantage of the good weather to harvest grain," she observed.

Meanwhile, in flooded areas of Santa Fe and Entre Rios, 85% of the harvest of summer crops was interrupted. Dairy production also sustained "notable losses," Carballo said.

The central provinces of Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe and Entre Rios form the heart of Argentina's

grain belt.