
A farmdoc daily analysis by Scott Irwin, dated December 17, 2020, examines South American corn and soybean yields in past La Niña years. It compares the USDA December forecasts for Brazil and Argentina with the current La Niña episode.
The study aims to determine whether trend yield expectations should be adjusted.
If past La Niña years show yield shortfalls in Brazil and Argentina, South American supply could tighten and support corn and soybean prices. The analysis is a research view, so the price impact depends on how it shapes trade expectations.
After 1,465 past bullish weather events, Corn moved a median +0.2% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.4% to +1.9%), and +0.9% over 20.
After 1,079 past bullish weather events, Soybeans moved a median +0.3% over 5 sessions (54% higher; middle half -1.4% to +2.0%), and +0.9% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.