Climate favors planting of the winter crop in Rio Grande do Sul

The climatic conditions observed during the period favored the intensification of sowing of winter crops in Rio Grande do Sul, especially wheat. Previously, this activity had been held back due to the concentration of producers on completing the summer harvest and adverse environmental conditions (rain and excess moisture in the soil), which limited the operation to only the driest terrain. According to Emater/RS, there was intense movement of tractors and seeding machines, aiming to expand the cultivated area, considered to be behind schedule.

In the areas established earlier, good evolution of wheat crops can be observed, although some parts present problems in the plant stand, due to sowing in excessively moist soil, which caused the sealing of the furrows due to the passage of the sowing discs, aggravated by the absence of rain after this operation.

The area cultivated with wheat in the 2023 harvest in the State was 1.505.807 hectares, and productivity was 1.751 kg/ha (IBGE). Emater/RS is carrying out a survey of planting intentions for the 2024 harvest, which should be presented in the coming weeks. Preliminarily, the observed trend is a small reduction, compared to the previous harvest. The reduction in planting area is justified by low cereal prices and the frustration of productivity in the last harvest.

In the case of white oats, another important winter crop, there was intense sowing activity during the period, aiming to take advantage of adequate soil moisture conditions. The first crops sown are in vegetative development and have a high incidence of aphids and leaf spot complex, whose proliferation is favored by high temperatures, atypical for the period. The area cultivated with white oats in the previous harvest in the State (2023) was 364.989 hectares, and productivity was 1.619 kg/ha (IBGE). Emater/RS is conducting a planting intention survey for the 2024 harvest, the preliminary results of which indicate an increase in cereal cultivation compared to the previous harvest. However, in some regions of the State, there are restrictions on the supply of seeds, which may affect this intention.

Canola - canola sowing is more advanced compared to other winter crops, as the preferential cultivation period, according to the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc), occurs earlier than other crops grown in the same productive period. The area cultivated with canola in the previous harvest in the State (2023) was 77.418 hectares, and productivity was 1.474 kg/ha (IBGE). Emater/RS is conducting a planting intention survey for the 2024 harvest, whose preliminary results indicate significant growth compared to the previous harvest. This increase can be attributed, in part, to the satisfactory production results achieved in the last harvest, which provided positive economic compensation, especially given the frustrations observed in other winter crops.

Barley - It is the sowing period and the main producers are located in the Alto Uruguai and Planalto regions. The area cultivated in the previous harvest in the State (2023) was 40.695 hectares, and productivity was 1.961 kg/ha (IBGE). Emater/RS is conducting a survey of planting intentions for the 2024 harvest; Preliminary results indicate a significant decrease compared to the previous harvest. The trend is that, proportionally, there will be the greatest reduction in area among the main winter crops. According to producers, the main reason for this decrease was the frustration of the previous harvest, in which almost all of the grains produced did not obtain an adequate commercial classification for the brewing industry.

summer harvest

Soy - The harvest is nearing completion and can be considered technically complete. There are only a few crops left in the South and Campanha regions, where producers try to select and harvest grains while still under commercial conditions. However, even with prolonged periods of sunshine, excessive humidity in the mornings made it difficult to dry the grains, which are almost completely deteriorated, and complicated the process of threshing and transportation in elevators with endless screws, causing further disruption at the end of the harvest. The harvested area reached 98%, and the remaining areas are unlikely to be harvested.

Until the start of the intense rainfall, which occurred after 29/04, the productivity obtained with soybeans was considered very satisfactory, reaching peaks of 5.400 kg/ha and average production just above 3.300 kg/ha. After this event, productivity and quality showed a sharp drop, and the state average productivity is estimated at 2.923 kg/ha. In post-harvest areas, producers prioritize the correction of damage caused by erosion and the application of soil acidity correctors.

Corn - The predominance of sunny days, despite the high humidity in the mornings, allowed harvesting to continue, including mechanized harvesting, in large areas. The harvested area reached 95% of the cultivated area, with 5% still maturing. The firm weather and satisfactory thermal sum also improved the performance of the small portion of late crops, which are approaching the end of the cycle. The productive aspect of late corn, despite the rain, is considered satisfactory. Before the torrential rains and floods, the state average corn productivity was estimated at 6.401 kg/ha. The estimate was later reduced to 5.966 kg/ha.

2st harvest beans - The harvest of mature crops, still with grains of satisfactory quality, benefited from the sequence of sunny days. Later crops are being harvested, which also recorded high losses, but there are some areas being abandoned. It is estimated that 97% of the areas have been harvested. For crops that presented losses and were financed, Proagro was activated. The area cultivated in the 2nd harvest is estimated at 19.900 hectares. Productivity was estimated at 1.568 kg/ha, but, after the long rainy period, losses are estimated at 30%.

Rice - the harvest has been completed. The estimated area of ​​rice cultivation irrigated by the Rio Grandense do Arroz Institute (Irga) is 900.203 hectares. Productivity, according to Emater/RS, was estimated at 8.325 kg/ha. After the climatic events of rain and wind, which culminated in the submersion of part of the crops, some plots were abandoned without harvesting, and a reduction in state productivity of approximately 9% is estimated, totaling 7.600 kg/ha.