Crop-Livestock Integration contributes to technological advancement and profitability in the field

The series of lectures for the 32nd Official Opening of the Rice Harvest continued this Thursday, February 17th. In the early afternoon the topic discussed was “Livestock as an ally in improving the efficiency of the production system”. Speakers were Frederico Wolff, from Wolf Agriculture and Livestock in Dom Pedrito (RS), and Clarissa Lopes Peixoto, from Grupo Pitangueira, in Itaqui (RS), moderated by the researcher from Embrapa Pecuária Sul, Danilo Sant'Anna, who highlighted the importance to debate one of the main topics of the event, seeking more sustainability in the lowlands in the south of the country.

Clarissa highlighted in her speech that the Pitangueira Group is based on three pillars: Braford cattle, rice farming and soybean farming, which is in the initial phase of implementation. She highlighted that the rotation of these crops is already a reality with the aim of seeking real sustainability. “We were able to notice an improvement in the chemical, physical and biological part of the land, a better use of marginal areas. This natural recycling of nutrients is what we seek in this integration,” she noted, also highlighting a financial improvement with less use of agricultural pesticides.

The Pitangueira Group received the Environmental Seal within its rice farming, which, according to Clarissa, gives the company social well-being and the best soil management practices. “We seek to add value throughout production, from the seed to the final consumer. We try to make rice with traceability. We believe in technology and making a quality product”, she pointed out.

Clarissa highlighted that in the same way in cattle, the company won titles at exhibitions, such as best Braford breeder and biggest seller of Braford bulls in Brazil. “We try to do the best from the door to the consumer. So we still have pitangueira meat at a regional level, but with the intention of increasing this scope”, she informed, remembering that one of the company’s challenges is changing its culture. “It is essential to show that we really live as a whole and that one activity complements the other”, she said.

The water crisis faced on the State border was also addressed by Clarissa. According to her, it is necessary to show the importance of integrating crops and livestock at these times, especially in the financial aspect. “I have said that it is necessary to focus on the present, but always with an eye on the future. It is necessary to continue the company regardless of the activity you carry out”, she concluded.

Frederico Wolf began his speech by outlining a brief history of the business since his grandfather. He highlighted that, today, he works with one of his sisters and his brother-in-law, as partners, and that the family business reflects the environment in which they operate. “We have been more successful when we can identify where we are and how that location or environment can provide opportunities for us,'' he said. Despite working with rice, soybeans, corn and cattle, the businessman does not forget that livestock farming was already in the region when agriculture arrived. “She was there before us. All of this is the cattle’s environment and we must always explore this environment in accordance with it”, he stated.

Before ending his talk, Wolf remembered a friend, now deceased, whom he highlighted as a highly successful man in his journey as a farmer. “He said that we have to have a cow in the field for every hectare planted, like a savings account”, he concluded.

Danilo Sant’Anna, researcher at Embrapa Pecuária Sul, who moderated the panels, joked that there was no agreed speech, but that the two speakers followed a very similar line. “When talking about integration, both highlighted the need to look at the business as a whole,” he said. He also provoked the speakers, asking if it wasn't time to chart a two-way path, not only with agriculture bringing technological advances to livestock, but with livestock bringing these changes to agriculture.

The 32nd edition of the Official Opening of the Rice and Grains Harvest in Terras Baixas continues until tomorrow, Friday, at the Terras Baixas Station, of Embrapa Clima Temperado, in Capão do Leão (RS), in a hybrid format with face-to-face and online activities. line. It is organized by Federarroz, co-organised by Embrapa and Premium sponsored by Irga and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. Information can be obtained through the Colheita do Arroz app or on the website www.colhetadoarroz.com.br.