Variable weather conditions make it difficult to plant wheat in Rio Grande do Sul

Some wheat-cultivated areas in Rio Grande do Sul are facing challenges due to frequent rains, which have delayed sowing. In others, high soil humidity has delayed the emergence and development of crops, whose planting progressed little in the period and reached 85% of the estimated area for this harvest, which is 1.312.488 hectares in this harvest. The situation reflects the state's climatic diversity and its consequences for wheat cultivation.

According to the Conjunctural Information, released today by Emater/RS, in the administrative region of Bagé, wheat planting is almost completed in Fronteira Oeste, but there is apprehension on the part of producers due to high production costs and unattractive prices. of the grain. On average, financial agents provided R$ 3.150,00/ha to finance crops, requiring productivity of 45 sc./ha to cover costs, in addition to financial charges, insurance and leasing expenses. In the Campaign, producers from Hulha Negra, Candiota and Aceguá face difficulties in accessing inputs, due to credit restrictions, the result of a summer harvest frustrated by excessive rains in May. This context can lead to the establishment of crops with a low technological level and lower production potential. In the municipality of Bagé, some producers gave up on the crop, opting for oats, which can be used in different ways. In Caçapava do Sul, planting was completed, being the only municipality in the Campaign with complete sowing.

Barley - barley in Rio Grande do Sul presents a varied panorama in different regions. In general, development was hampered by the humid and overcast climate, affecting the initial growth of the plants. In the administrative region of Emater/RS of Erechim, of the 12.460 hectares planned for planting, 98% are planted. This planted area is in the emergence and vegetative development phase, and the first crops are in tillering. The very humid climate with low sunlight has affected the initial development of the crop, falling short of producers' expectations.

Canola - the crops, in general, are well established and go through distinct phases of vegetative development, flowering and grain filling. Recent weather conditions, such as low temperatures and high humidity, have raised concerns in some areas, affecting development and expected production. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Santa Rosa, the cultivated area was revised upwards after municipal meetings, reaching 52.324 hectares in the region, which represents an increase of 56% compared to the previous harvest. The crops are distributed in the following phenological stages: 74% in vegetative development, 21% in flowering and 5% in the grain filling phase. In the Passo Fundo region, the implemented area reaches 3 thousand hectares. The recent frost affected some crops in a localized way, but the damage is still to be assessed. No widespread severe losses were recorded.

White oats - oats in Rio Grande do Sul have varied development, but the majority of crops are in the germination and vegetative phases. Humid climatic conditions have favored the appearance of foliar diseases and harmed growth in some regions.

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Frederico Westphalen, despite good initial development, climatic conditions paralyzed the development of the crop. In white oat crops at more advanced stages – flowering and grain formation – panicles with a reduced number of viable spikelets were observed, which should affect productivity, estimated at 2.552 kg/ha, but it is still too early to verify. In relation to the phytosanitary status, rust has required robust preventive and curative management. Between the phases, 60% of the crop is in germination and vegetative development, 30% in flowering and 10% in grain filling. In the Santa Maria region, the planting of white oats for grains is almost complete, exceeding 92%. Recent rainfall has contributed to better growth of crops, which are mostly in the germination and vegetative development phase, although some areas have reached the beginning of flowering. The estimate is 41.445 hectares.

Other cultures

Mate herb - in the administrative region of Emater/RS of Erechim, the yerba mate harvest is underway, with an average productivity of 800 arrobas per hectare. High levels of rainfall and low incidence of sunlight have reduced the pace of harvesting. There is an expectation of an increase in the planted area, especially in municipalities that are not traditional in terms of culture. The prices currently charged are approximately R$ 17,00/a for the product placed in the industry and R$ 10,00/a for the yerba mate on the plant.

In the Passo Fundo region, cultural treatments and preventive phytosanitary treatments continue, in addition to the rustification of yerba mate seedlings for planting. There is a tendency for a significant surplus of unmarketed seedlings, due to unfavorable climatic and economic conditions. In farming areas, excess rain has caused erosion, landslides, flooding and leaf fall, contributing to poor road access. Industrialization has normalized, but some industries still face low stocks, due to the difficulty in acquiring sheets. Exports from the region remain regular. The prices charged are as follows: yerba mate leaf (delivered to the industry), at R$ 18,50/at; yerba mate leaf – Cultivar Cambona 4 – (delivered to the industry), at R$ 20,00/at; and cancheada yerba mate (up to 20% stick), at R$ 5.000,00/t. The price of yerba mate seedlings is R$1,50/unit.

In the Soledade region, yerba mate producers are intensifying the planting of seedlings, which was well delayed, in addition to increasing the harvest. The cut is being carried out with care due to the damage caused by frost; part of the branches have been left on the plant to protect the new shoots. There was a positive reaction in the price of an arroba of yerba mate, and the values ​​are varying from R$ 19,00 to R$ 23,00/arroba, in Itapuca and Mato Leitão.