Summer grain harvest advances in RS

Rio Grande do Sul records progress in the harvest of all grains from the summer harvest. In the case of soybeans, the harvest reaches 19% of the cultivated area. Crops with extreme losses were not harvested, but were used for grazing or producing hay for animal feed. According to the Conjunctural Information, released by Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the State Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development (Seapdr), this Thursday (31/03), problems associated with poor uniformity in maturation persisted, due to the coexistence of dry and green plants, these containing dry and green vegetables. Desiccation with specific herbicides was often necessary to be able to cut.

The productivity obtained from the soybean harvest is still very low, conditioned by the intensity of the drought. However, there is a tendency for this to increase as the operation includes later cultivars or crops established from December onwards. Crops in grain filling total 31% and, in maturation, 45% of the crop. Producers hope that the occurrence of rain does not affect the end of the harvest, already affected by the drought.

The harvest of corn crops progresses slowly and reaches 75% of the cultivated area. Maturing crops total 14%. Corn sown in the off-season represents 11% and has satisfactory development, since the humidity in the soil, the mild temperatures and the luminosity characteristic of autumn provide ideal conditions for the crop to maintain its productive potential.

Regarding corn silage, the harvest evolved in the southern half of the State, and the estimated productivity remains 53% lower than the initial estimate, with an average production of 20 t/ha of mass to be ensiled. In the administrative region of Emater/RS-Ascar de Bagé, in Campanha, the crops planted in the first half of December were ensiled, and the productivity obtained is a result of the plant stand and the place of cultivation, and, in floodplain soils, productivity is higher. In coxilha areas, in general, the plants are smaller and the drying of the leaves was anticipated, a situation that resulted in lower yields, both in green mass and nutritional value.

In rice, the harvest advanced significantly and reached 53% of the cultivated area in the State, with 39% of Rio Grande do Sul's crops maturing. Productivity remains close to that initially estimated, with some regional particularities, caused by greater or lesser water availability for irrigation and the incidence of inadequate temperatures during reproductive phases.

The first harvest of beans has ended in regions that carry out two subsequent crops with the legume. In the Emater/RS Ascar de Caxias do Sul region, which has the largest cultivation area, the harvest is close to 50% of the regional average. In Many Capões, crops have variable yields between 1.800 and 2.700 kg/ha and good grain quality. In the other municipalities of Campos de Cima da Serra, the harvest will begin soon. The current yield expectation shows a slight decrease in relation to the initial expectation.

The second harvest bean crop was fully implemented and has uniform germination. The vegetative development and flowering phases predominate, with a small area already harvested. Weather conditions have been suitable for the crop, however recent drops in temperatures, especially at night, and high air humidity increase the risks, and preventive care is needed with the spread of foliar diseases, especially anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), which if left unchecked can cause total loss of production.

Other crops

Pecã Walnut - In Cachoeira do Sul, in the Santa Maria Region, the walnut is cultivated on 880 hectares, already in production. An estimated 30% loss in income. In non-irrigated orchards, this rate should be 50%.

Olive - In the Pelotas region, the harvest continues intensely and reaches 70% of the harvest, with an olive oil yield between 10% and 12%. In Fronteira Oeste, in the Bagé Region, the harvest continues in the olive groves of Santa Margarida do Sul, where reports indicate that productivity is expected to be below the initial estimate, due to the strong drought that began in the spring and intensified during the summer. In some orchards, the death of young plants was observed, requiring replacement, which will be carried out until May or from September, depending on the availability of seedlings in the nurseries.

During the Campaign, the Bagé agroindustry has already extracted oil from approximately 60 tons of olives from olive groves in several municipalities in the region, reaching around 50% of the estimated volume. The Arbequina and Arbosana cultivars have practically completed their harvest, and the Picual cultivar is in the middle of the harvest process. The Koroneiki and Coratina cultivars are in the initial harvest phase. The average olive oil yield is close to 12,5%, and the productivity estimate is satisfactory, even with the occurrence of drought during the fruit formation phase. The exception is observed in orchards where more intensive pruning was carried out in the last off-season. The olive oil extraction process is more difficult compared to years with normal climate, considering the lower water content of the olives.

Pastures

This period is marked by the autumn forage gap, but the rains helped to mitigate its effects, maintaining moisture in the soil and benefiting native forage plants, which are sprouting and developing well, as well as cultivated forage species, despite being in final stages. of cycle. The food supply is also maintained in regions with rice production, where cattle are used to eat the residue.

In Beef Cattle, with the best forage supply, there is a good recovery in the herd's body score in most properties, however in the regions most affected by the drought, the animals still remain weak. Tick ​​management is also causing difficulties, as there has been a significant increase in reports of infestations, resulting in a greater need to control the ectoparasite.

In Dairy Cattle Farming, the recovery of the body condition of the sows and milk production has already returned to normal levels, observed before the start of the drought, due to the recovery of native grassland areas and annual and perennial cultivated pastures. On the other hand, weather conditions have favored significant infestations of ticks and horn flies, leading to the need for more frequent treatments.

The availability of water meets the demands of the animals, as well as the mild temperatures guarantee comfort and the possibility of access to pastures, without limiting hours, however the drop in temperatures and reduction in photoperiod result in a lower rate of development of summer pastures, the which are also losing quality as the end of the cycle approaches.

In general, the prices received per liter of milk were considered stable. However, the producer has expressed concern about the increase in production costs.