Despite the rains, corn continues to be implemented in RS

Corn cultivation is being implemented. It is estimated that 44% of the crops projected for the 2023/2024 harvest were planted, which is 817.521 hectares. According to the Economic Information, released this Thursday (14/09) by Emater/RS, linked to the Secretariat of Rural Development (SDR) of RS, sowing has become impractical in several regions, due to soil saturation and lower temperatures, unsuitable conditions for both sowing and the initial development of the crop, which is in the emergence and vegetative development phase. In regions with prolonged excess moisture in the soil, stress is already observed in plants and difficulties in carrying out necessary cultural treatments, such as the application of herbicides, nitrogen fertilizers and insecticides.

In the Santa Rosa region, progress in the planted area was slow due to rainfall, reaching 77% of expectations. In some areas, there was excessive rainfall, which caused soil erosion and nutrient leaching. In some cases, there was flooding, leading to the death of plants. Unaffected crops grew well due to adequate humidity and temperatures. In recently implemented areas, there is still concern about the emergence of seedlings due to surface sealing, caused by laminar erosion in areas with disturbed soil. The rains reduced the leafhopper population, but producers continue to monitor and plan to apply preventive insecticides.

Of corn silage, the 2023/2024 harvest foresees cultivation in 364.291 hectares of area and an average productivity of 39.088 kg/ha. It is estimated that approximately 20% of the planned area has been completed. Sowing was practically interrupted due to excess moisture in the soil and operational difficulties. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Bagé, the estimated planting of silage corn is 6.115 hectares, representing an increase of 18,96% in relation to the area cultivated in the previous year.

In rice, the Rio Grandense Rice Institute (Irga) projects a cultivation area of ​​902.425 hectares. Emater/RS estimates productivity of 8.359 kg/ha. Soil preparation and desiccation work for pre-planting management was interrupted due to the large volume of rain since the beginning of September. Some areas are submerged due to high volumes of accumulated precipitation, as well as flooding in nearby watercourses, which will probably require repairs to rammed earth damaged by the force of the water. Still in the Bagé region, although the preferential planting period extends until mid-October, producers with large areas to be planted are concerned due to the risk of delays, caused by humid weather conditions and forecasts of new intense rain events. in the next days.

The 1st harvest bean crop is in the initial sowing stage, but, in a large part of the State, this stage was interrupted due to the soil being excessively wet. The amount of area already sown is limited, since the implementation calendar varies according to the region, being earlier in areas carrying out the second harvest. However, in the largest projected area, located in Campos de Cima da Serra, planting occurs at a later period, since this region does not grow subsequent safrinha crops. For the 2023/2024 Harvest, a projected cultivation area of ​​29.053 hectares. The productivity estimate is 1.775 kg/ha.

winter crops

Wheat - The crop is in reproductive phases, including flowering (41%) and grain filling (34%). The vegetative development phase currently represents 19%, and the maturation phase comprises 6% of crops, located in the West of the State. The cultivated area in the 2023 Harvest is estimated at 1.505.704 hectares, and the expected productivity is 3.021 kg/ha.

The period of continuous humid weather and high cloudiness is conducive to the development of diseases, especially in ears and spikelets. In wheat crops that are in the final stage of grain filling and beginning of maturation, symptoms of ear diseases, such as head blight and blast, have increased, causing atrophy or death of reproductive organs and interrupting grain growth. Symptoms include darkening of the affected parts, discoloration of the ears and the presence of fungal fruiting structures. There is a high risk of loss in the quality of the maturing grains, which may prevent their use in flour production, leaving only the option of selling them for feed, whose prices are significantly lower.

White oats - the cultivation area in the 2023 Harvest is 365.081 hectares, and productivity is estimated at 2.340 kg/ha. Currently, 12% of the areas are in the vegetative development phase, and 24% in the flowering phase. The grain filling phase covers approximately 40% and the maturation phase, 17%. 7% of the crops have already been harvested. In the Soledade region, recent crop assessments indicate that, in general, productivity expectations are in line with projections. However, during the period, conditions were favorable for the development of fungal diseases, due to the high relative humidity of the air, which promoted the incidence of leaf spots, rust and FHB. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor and implement appropriate control measures to mitigate the proliferation of pathogens and maintain production potential.

Canola - the estimated cultivation area is 67.219 hectares, and productivity is estimated at 1.632 kg/ha. The crops are at different stages of development. Around 2% of the area is in the vegetative development phase, and 23% is in the flowering phase. The predominant phase is grain filling, covering 60% of crops. Currently, 12% of the area is ripe, and 3% has already been harvested. If intense rains and winds continue, significant losses may occur. The first areas planted are already entering the initial maturation phase, and harvesting is scheduled for the end of September.

Barley - the cultivation projection is 35.899 hectares, and the expected productivity is 3.144 kg/ha. Approximately 40% of crops are in vegetative development; 40%, in flowering; and 20%, in grain formation. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Erechim, the total crop area covers 12.185 hectares, which are in flowering and grain formation. If current favorable weather conditions continue, productivity should reach 3.600 kg/ha.

Fruit crops

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Bagé, in the Campanha olive groves, little damage should occur due to excessive rains, considering the later behavior of inflorescence emission in orchards established further south of the State. Only in early cultivars, open flowers are already being observed. This process will take place over the next few weeks until mid-October, gradually, according to the cycle of the cultivars, when it will be important that the weather remains firm for effective pollination. The occasional hail and frost events were of low intensity, and there is limited potential for damage to crops. Winter management work related to pruning and production fertilization with boron and phosphorus has been completed. Due to the humid weather, which favors the incidence of fungal diseases, fungicide applications are being intensified, as the soil allows sprayers to enter the orchards. In Fronteira Oeste, in Alegrete, grape and peach producers completed dry pruning work.

In the Lajeado region, there were significant variations in temperatures and precipitation, which could lead to the occurrence of diseases. From 04 to 10/09, rainfall was well above normal, causing floods in several municipalities in the region, but without directly affecting citrus farming. The water volume provided good water storage in the soil for the continued development of flowers and to maintain production in maturation and harvesting. Excess water in the soil infiltrates or drains, until it reaches field capacity, where all flows remain functional.

It is noteworthy, however, that the droughts of the last three years, storms and floods caused by cyclones in winter are causing a reduction in production this year. Productivity varies from 25% to 35%, especially in early varieties. This reduction occurs due to the smaller number of fruits per tree, the final average size of the harvested fruits and their fall due to cyclones and hailstorms. It is important to highlight that this situation does not occur in all municipalities: in some, production is close to normal; in others, there was a decrease caused by these bad weather conditions.

The production of late varieties, which are being harvested, will be verified at the end of the operation. The orchards are in intense flowering, which will give rise to the 2024 Harvest, but may suffer damage if the storms persist, which could also affect the harvest being harvested. Citrus growers are taking the opportunity to harvest as much as possible in order to obtain good prices and reduce risks. Despite these weather conditions, the quality remains very good, as the fruits have already reached their ripening stage, with only the harvest remaining, which is being carried out quickly.

Beekeeping

In the administrative regions of Emater/RS de Bagé and Ijuí, access to some apiaries is compromised due to heavy rains. In Caxias do Sul, rainfall affected bee activity, making the swarms less active. Many needed to receive supplementary food to stay strong. Beekeepers monitored honey stocks to prevent hives from being abandoned and bees from dying due to lack of food. In Erechim, the rainy climate made it difficult for bees to collect honey and pollen, especially during the off-season, when flowering was scarcer. In Passo Fundo, intense rains kept the bees inside the hives, and, due to the high humidity in the air, management practices were not carried out to preserve the swarms.

In Pelotas, excessive rain negatively impacted honey production and damaged flowering due to excess humidity. In Porto Alegre, artificial feeding was stopped, as was honey harvesting. In Santa Rosa, frequent rains limited the hives' foraging, but there are expectations that new blooms will occur after the rains have affected the availability of pollen and nectar. Beekeepers are resuming activities to prepare supers for spring production and are placing bait boxes to capture swarms.