Even with dry weather, corn planting reaches 66% of the cultivated area in RS

The predominance of dry weather and low humidity in the soil and air throughout RS reduced the intensity of corn planting in the last week, reaching 66% of the total cultivated area. According to the Economic Information produced by the Planning Management of Emater/RS-Ascar, in partnership with the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr), and released this Thursday (15/10), in the region of Soledade , 40 thousand hectares have already been planted. In general, crops have excellent vegetative growth. Cultural treatments continue to be carried out according to soil moisture conditions. There are occasional cases of incidence of fall armyworm for which chemical controls are carried out. Producers have approached the Emater/RS-Ascar offices to order the wasp (Trichogramma pretiosum) for biological control of the pest.

The dry weather that occurred also caused producers to reduce the establishment of soybean areas in the State, which already reaches 4% of the total cultivated area. In the Ijuí region, the very dry soil prevented sowing from continuing. The crops planted in the previous week are experiencing uneven emergence. Seeds that did not germinate remain intact in the soil, without attack by pests or diseases, requiring only adequate humidity.

In most regions of the State, the last week was characterized by the presence of days with firm weather, good solar radiation and temperatures characteristic of spring, with significant daily temperature variations that favored the development of wheat. In the regions of Santa Rosa, Frederico Westphalen, Bagé, Santa Maria and Lajeado, dry weather and high temperatures hasten the maturation of wheat for harvest. In Santa Rosa, 19% of the area has already been harvested.

In the Ijuí region, the hot and dry weather last week was favorable to the development of vegetable crops in general. Irrigation of crops was intensified. There was a reduction in the transplantation of field-grown hardwoods and an increase in the installation of greenhouses for the protected cultivation of lettuce and arugula. The attack of mites and thrips follows. Pumpkins, cucumbers and green beans in full production, with smaller plants and shorter branches and internodes.

In the region of Santa Rosa (RS), the Valencia orange harvest continues. Among citrus varieties, the majority are producing new shoots and flowering, a suitable time for preventive control of early blight. Some plants were attacked by aphids. Fig plants have new growth, requiring pest and disease control treatments. Fruit trees from temperate climates, such as peaches and plums, are in the beginning stage of fruit formation, with a good health aspect so far. Early peach trees such as Premier are maturing and harvesting, and the Precocinho variety is in full fruiting, with apparently no fruit falling due to frost. Plum and apple trees of Eva and Julieta varieties, in fruiting.

The increase in temperature and sunshine allowed native fields to offer quality pasture to beef herds. With this situation, cattle are recovering the body condition lost during the winter. The period is characterized by the birth of animals in a breeding system, with good development of the calves, which requires specific care due to the increase in heat, thus avoiding infestation by flies. On other properties, animals are in the process of covering the matrices. The rest are in the fattening process, mainly the herds removed from crop-livestock integration systems.