The end of the fallow period opens a window for soybean planning.

The end of the fallow period marks the beginning of a new phase in the planning for the 2026/2027 soybean crop. Since Tuesday, September 1st, producers in Region 2 of Paraná, which includes municipalities in the North, Northwest, Central-West, and West of the state, have been authorized to begin sowing the crop.

In this region, the planting window extends until December 31, 2026. However, the opening of the calendar does not mean that all areas should be sown immediately. The choice of planting time should consider soil conditions, weather forecast, availability of inputs and machinery, and the strategy defined for each property.

The Paraná Agricultural Defense Agency (Adapar) emphasizes that, in addition to the sowing date, it is necessary to observe the timing of plant emergence. The presence of soybean seedlings must respect the window established for each region.

In the Cerrado areas where Cocari operates, the schedules are different. In Goiás, the fallow period lasts until September 24th, with planting authorized from September 25th, 2026 to January 2nd, 2027. In Minas Gerais, the fallow period ends on September 30th, and the planting period runs from October 1st, 2026 to January 8th, 2027.

Deral projects a record harvest, but weather will be decisive.

The first estimate from the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), released in the last week of August, points to a record soybean production of 22,6 million tons in Paraná in the 2026/2027 harvest. The estimated area is 5,76 million hectares, with an average productivity exceeding 3.900 kilograms per hectare.

Despite the high projected production potential, confirmation of this expectation will depend on weather patterns throughout the cycle. The harvest begins under the influence of El Niño, a phenomenon that tends to increase rainfall frequency in southern Brazil.

In Paraná, one of the main points of concern is the possibility of frequent rainfall and excessive moisture, especially during the spring. September and October concentrate a significant part of the planting and establishment of crops, and prolonged periods of rain can reduce the operating windows and hinder the progress of planting.

In this scenario, taking advantage of the planting window does not necessarily mean planting as early as possible. The choice of timing should take into account soil conditions, weather forecast, cultivar cycle, and the available infrastructure to carry out the operations.

Checklist before sowing

With the opening of the different planting windows, crop planning enters the operational phase. Before putting the seeder in the field, some points deserve attention. Check out the main recommendations from the Cocari technical team: 

1. Check the authorized date for your region.

The first step is to confirm which calendar applies to the property.

Paraná

• Region 1 – South, East, Campos Gerais and Coastal areas: fallow period from June 21 to September 19; sowing from September 20, 2026 to January 20, 2027.
• Region 2 – North, Northwest, Central-West and West: fallow period from June 2nd to August 31st; sowing from September 1st to December 31st, 2026.
• Region 3 – Southwest: fallow period from June 12 to September 10; sowing from September 11, 2026 to January 10, 2027.

Cerrado

• Goiás: fallow period from June 27 to September 24; sowing from September 25, 2026 to January 2, 2027.
• Minas Gerais: fallow period from July 1st to September 30th; sowing from October 1st, 2026 to January 8th, 2027.

The schedules are defined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, while state agricultural defense agencies guide and monitor compliance with the measures.

2. Conduct a final inspection of the areas.

Before planting a new crop, it is important to check soil conditions, cover, the presence of weeds, moisture, and any problems that could compromise the emergence and establishment of the crop.

Also worthy of attention is the occurrence of volunteer soybean plants during the fallow period. Eliminating these plants is one of the measures used to reduce the survival of the fungus that causes Asian soybean rust between crops.

In Paraná, Adapar advises that surveillance should also be maintained in fallow areas, winter crops, roadsides, and other locations where volunteer plants may appear.

3. Assess the soil

Planting begins before the seeder even enters the field. Assessing soil moisture, fertility, compaction, cover, and physical conditions allows for adjustments to operations and prevents planting too early from compromising crop establishment.

The strategy should take into account the characteristics of each plot and the weather conditions forecast for the period.

4. Review seeds and treatment.

With the opening of the window, it is important to confirm the availability and storage conditions of the seeds. The batch, cultivar, seed treatment, and planned population for each area should also be checked.

The quality of the material and the uniformity of planting are important factors for crop establishment.

5. Check machines and equipment

The concentration of operations during the planting window makes preventive maintenance even more important. A mechanical failure during a period of favorable conditions can compromise the schedule.

Among the items that deserve review are:

• Seeder and distribution mechanisms;
• Cutting discs and components;
• Seed and fertilizer dispensers;
• depth adjustment;
• compactors;
• Tires and hydraulic systems;
• Application equipment;
• Availability of spare parts for maintenance.

6. Plan for weed management.

Desiccation and weed control should take into account the species present, their stage of development, and the difficulty of control in each area.

Plots with difficult-to-manage weed species deserve early attention. Controlling weeds before soybean emergence helps reduce initial competition and prevents weeds from establishing themselves alongside the crop.

Strategies should be defined with guidance from a qualified professional, taking into account registered products and the specific conditions of the area.

7. Define the strategy for Asian soybean rust.

The fallow period reduces the survival of the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, but does not eliminate the risk of the disease during the growing season.

Therefore, management should be planned even before soybean emergence, considering factors such as cultivar, sowing time, crop monitoring, and phytosanitary control strategy.

The planting calendar is one of the tools used to reduce the risk of disease and rationalize the use of fungicides, also contributing to the management of fungal resistance to the molecules used for control.

8. Organize the planting schedule.

The first day of the official planting window does not necessarily represent the best time to sow. The decision should consider soil moisture, weather forecast, cultivar cycle, crop rotation, and operational logistics.

The goal is to use the window strategically, seeking suitable conditions for germination, emergence, and initial crop development.

9. Observe the requirements of each State.

In addition to the calendar, the producer must be aware of the obligations established by the agricultural defense agency in their region.

In Goiás, for example, mandatory phytosanitary measures include crop registration, monitoring and control of Asian soybean rust, elimination of volunteer plants, and adherence to the planting calendar. Registration must be carried out annually in the Goiás Agricultural Defense System (Sidago).

Before starting operations, it is recommended to consult state regulations and keep all required documentation and records up to date.

The window begins before sowing.

The start of the planting season puts into practice the planning carried out during the off-season. Preparing the area, choosing materials, checking the machinery, organizing operations, and defining management strategies are all steps that precede the seed drill entering the field.

For Cocari, planning is fundamental so that producers can use the authorized window strategically and be prepared for the conditions encountered in the field.

With technical support and organized operations, crop establishment can occur under better conditions, promoting uniform soybean growth and maximizing the crop's yield potential.