Canola gains strength in RS with support from 3tentos

In order to occupy a cultivation space and offer another economic option for farmers, 3tentos decided to incorporate canola into its ecosystem in Rio Grande do Sul starting with the 2026 winter harvest. The company is already offering the seed and making the barter. The canola will be used to produce biodiesel at the Ijuí plant, in a volume corresponding to three months of fuel production. 

According to 3tentos COO, John Marcelo Dumoncel (in the photo above), the demand guaranteed by the industry will provide the needed boost for the development of canola in the state. “We will bring information to farmers about a crop that is still not very widespread. It is not an isolated movement, but a market that is moving and that will have 3tentos taking the lead,” he commented. 

To this end, 3tentos carried out research in Australia, where canola is widely developed, through its academy, which has a team of 168 agronomists. 

The goal is to introduce canola as a winter rotation crop, which will not take the place of wheat, but will alternate with it every other season. 

“We are not going to reduce wheat; we are recommending canola as a rotation. Wheat is positive for two consecutive winters, but in the third year it starts to be affected. The area where it was planted starts to lose productivity and becomes more susceptible to diseases in the third and fourth year,” explained Dumoncel. 

Today, Rio Grande do Sul has almost 7 million hectares of soybeans planted and around 1,3 million hectares of wheat, according to the latest survey by the National Supply Company (Conab) regarding the 2024 harvest. Canola, on the other hand, occupies only 140 thousand hectares. 

“The state has an uncovered area that is not experiencing significant economic activity year-round. We are encouraging producers to occupy this space without reducing wheat, but adding canola as a winter crop,” added the executive. 

According to research by 3tentos, canola provides 43% oil in extraction, compared to around 20% on average for soybeans, and offers the same fuel yield. “Canola will bring more savings and development, in addition to having a smaller carbon footprint,” said Dumoncel. 

To produce biodiesel, the company will adapt the Ijuí/RS industry, which does not require large investments. The process can be completed in 24 hours, just to clean the production line, and will supply the industry, in the first phase, for three months. 

Canola is a crop resulting from genetic improvement carried out by Canadian breeders, from the hybridization of two rapeseed species. The name canola is the abbreviation of CANadian Oil Low Acid. 

According to a study by Embrapa, canola cultivation is an economic alternative for producers, who can benefit from the same structure of machinery and equipment available on their properties, with some adaptations and additions through the use of kits. In addition, it has low costs for agricultural pesticides, compared to other species used in grain production. 

It is also an excellent alternative for crop diversification and rotation with corn, soybeans, wheat and beans. Its crop residues can help increase the yield and quality of these grains in subsequent crops. 

Canola also stands out for the quality of its oil for human consumption, as it contains higher levels of omega 3 and vitamin E than other similar oils, as well as a good level of monounsaturated fats and a low level of saturated fat. It also has the right characteristics for the production of biodiesel and its bran has a high protein content for animal feed.