Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- executive /ig-ZEK-yuh-tiv/
- drought /drout/
- uncertainty /uhn-SUR-tn-tee/
- amid /uh-MID/
- output /OUT-poot /
[noun] – someone in a high position, especially in business, who makes decisions and puts them into action
The executive made strategic decisions to steer the company towards growth.
[noun] – long period when there is little or no rain
The prolonged drought devastated the crops, leading to widespread agricultural losses.
[noun] – a situation in which something is not known, or something that is not known or certain
The financial market faced uncertainty following unexpected regulatory changes.
[preposition] – in the middle of or surrounded by
Amid the pandemic, families adapted to remote work and online schooling, transforming their daily routines.
[noun] – the amount that is produced by a person, machine, factory, country, etc.
The factory’s output increased significantly after implementing new manufacturing techniques.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Brazil is experiencing a severe dry spell, causing a delay in farmers purchasing fertilizers for their corn planting. This delay is affecting sales for major fertilizer suppliers worldwide. The executives from companies like Nutrien, Mosaic, and Yara shared concerns with Reuters about the impact on fertilizer sales due to Brazil’s soybean harvest being delayed. As a result, this could push back the planting of the main corn season, which typically follows soon after. Corn, being a crop that requires a lot of fertilizer, is facing decreased demand because of the drought.
The Brazilian drought, related to El Niño, reveals the uncertainty in global agriculture amid climate change, causing lower profits for fertilizer firms due to falling crop and fertilizer prices after the Russia-Ukraine war. Potential delays in planting corn might lead Brazilian farmers to sow less, reducing fertilizer demand. Mosaic, a U.S. fertilizer producer, expects a notable drop in Brazil’s second corn harvest (“safrinha”), potentially lowering potash fertilizer demand by 4%, or 500,000 tons, valued at roughly $160 million based on current rates. Guilherme Schmitz from Yara’s Brazil division reported that by early December, farmers in major corn-producing regions had only bought 60% of their usual fertilizer supplies, notably lower than the typical 80% at this time. This decrease in purchases might lead to a significant drop in Brazil’s corn output, which generally contributes around 75% to the country’s total corn production. The impact might extend to global corn prices and could prompt U.S. farmers to consider increasing fertilizer purchases for next year’s corn production, even though early predictions indicate a leaning towards planting soybeans due to their lower fertilizer needs.
The Brazilian drought, related to El Niño, reveals the uncertainty in global agriculture amid climate change, causing lower profits for fertilizer firms due to falling crop and fertilizer prices after the Russia-Ukraine war. Potential delays in planting corn might lead Brazilian farmers to sow less, reducing fertilizer demand. Mosaic, a U.S. fertilizer producer, expects a notable drop in Brazil’s second corn harvest (“safrinha”), potentially lowering potash fertilizer demand by 4%, or 500,000 tons, valued at roughly $160 million based on current rates. Guilherme Schmitz from Yara’s Brazil division reported that by early December, farmers in major corn-producing regions had only bought 60% of their usual fertilizer supplies, notably lower than the typical 80% at this time. This decrease in purchases might lead to a significant drop in Brazil’s corn output, which generally contributes around 75% to the country’s total corn production. The impact might extend to global corn prices and could prompt U.S. farmers to consider increasing fertilizer purchases for next year’s corn production, even though early predictions indicate a leaning towards planting soybeans due to their lower fertilizer needs.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever observed or experienced any challenges or delays in agricultural activities due to weather conditions or other factors? If so, what were they and how were they addressed? If not, how do you think weather conditions or external factors might influence agricultural activities in different regions?
- Have you or anyone you know been involved in agricultural activities that rely heavily on fertilizer use, such as planting corn or other crops? If yes, how significant is the impact of delayed fertilizer purchases on the quality or quantity of crops produced? If not, what are your thoughts on the importance of fertilizers in crop production, based on what you know or have heard?
- Do you agree that climate change-induced uncertainties in agriculture highlight the need for adaptation and preparedness in farming practices?
- How might delayed fertilizer purchases in Brazil not only impact local farmers but also influence the global fertilizer market and prices?
- In what ways do you think international agricultural companies should adapt their strategies to cope with uncertainties caused by climate-related events in various regions like Brazil?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- fertilizer
- soybean
- sow
- notable
- El Niño