Epamig presents potential for silage of wheat cultivar MGS Brilhante in Dias de Campo

The wheat cultivar MGS Brilhante has been widely recommended by researchers and extensionists from Minas Gerais as a nutritious and economical alternative for the production of silage in the off-season (or off-season) of corn, a cereal traditionally most used to feed cattle. With the aim of disseminating technologies and information regarding this material, in addition to promoting the exchange of experiences between producers and technicians, the Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (Epamig) carries out, between the 10th and 21st of July, a series of ten Field Days in municipalities in the South, Southwest and Campo das Vertentes regions of Minas Gerais.

During the technical meetings, which are co-hosted by the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company of the State of Minas Gerais (Emater-MG), lectures will be presented on planting, cultivation and harvesting techniques, as well as information on crop management, processing and silage storage. Participants will also be able to see the development of the cultivar in the experimental fields, where the Field Days will take place.

From baking to silage

MGS Brilhante was launched by Epamig in 2005, originally intended to be recommended for the production of bread. In 2018, the Company was approached by a group of cattle producers in the Alto Paranaíba region, who were looking for an alternative to corn silage, due to its high production cost. “It was then that, investigating the possibilities, we discovered that MGS Brilhante was ideal for silage production. This is because, in addition to being resistant to drought and heat, its ears do not have edges, anatomical structures that cause small injuries in the animals' rumen”, says the researcher at Epamig Oeste, and one of the organizers of the Field Days, Maurício Antônio Coelho.

According to him, MGS Brilhante was the first wheat cultivar adapted to the Cerrado region launched with forage potential. Another important characteristic of the material is that it presents vertical growth and without “lodging”, meaning there are no losses during the wheat harvest.

After several evaluations of silage productivity and quality, Epamig researchers began, from 2021, a series of experiments with beef cattle, comparing corn silage with MGS Brilhante wheat silage at the Sertãozinho Experimental Field, in Patos. of Minas (MG). “The results were surprising and indicated that the corn-based roughage and the wheat-based MGS Brilhante roughage provided equivalent weight gains,” explains Maurício. However, he reinforces the recommendation that producers should not replace corn silage with wheat silage, as both are complementary and equally important for crop rotation on a rural property.

Demonstration Units

The events take place in Demonstration Units set up by Epamig and Emater-MG, with funding from the Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundation (Fapemig), so that participants can observe the results of MGS Brilhante directly in the field. “I am very optimistic about the success of wheat silage. We have received very positive feedback from producers who have these experimental MGS Brilhante crops, reporting that neighbors have been looking for more information”, comments the technical coordinator of Emater-MG in the Alfenas region (MG), and one of the organizers of the events, Marcelo Martins. “It is a second roughage with excellent digestibility and provides long fiber for cattle, which is highly sought after by producers to stimulate the animals’ rumen”, he adds. According to the technician, the demand for seeds has been growing among livestock farmers who have had contact with the technology.

The zootechnician and head of Epamig's Agricultural Business Advisory, Clenderson Corradi, anticipates that Epamig is expanding its seed production to meet this demand. “Our technical team is very concerned about passing on high-quality seeds, certified by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), which is why we have gradually increased our production. This year, we expanded our MGS Brilhante wheat fields and we expect to harvest between 50 and 60 tons of seeds”, explains Clenderson, who adds: “We are also working, in a safe and careful way, on the possibility of accrediting some producer partners of seeds, due to the increase in demand”.

Those interested in purchasing seeds can place orders at the Agricultural Business Advisory, by email at asagro@epamig.br or telephone (31) 3489-5060, and at Campo Experimental de Sertãozinho, at cest@epamig.br (34) 3821-8699 .

Check the dates, times and locations of the Field Days below:

10 / 7 - areed - 13:30 pm – Córrego Raso Farm – (35) 9 9135-0229

11 / 7 - Pratápolis - 9am – Sítio Pontal – (35) 9 9105-9452

12 / 7 - Santa Rita de Caldas - 9am – Sítio Ipê (São José do Prata neighborhood) – (35) 9 9984-2264

13 / 7 - Minas Waterfall - 13:30 pm – Sítio Santa Clara (Bairro Alto das Cruzes) – (35) 9 9985-9044

14 / 7 - Turvoland - 9am – Sítio São Domingos – (35) 9 9962-1356 / (35) 3242-1322

17 / 7 - Ingaí - 13:30 pm – Sítio Santa Edwiges – (35) 9 9208-0247

18 / 7 - Conceição da Barra de Minas - 9am – Sítio Rancho Alegre - (32) 9 8423-4981

19 / 7 - Andrelândia - 13:30 pm – Sítio Mato Grosso – (35) 9 9157-6770

20 / 7 - Aiuruoca - 13:30 pm – Sítio Bela Vista – (35) 9 9736-2023

21 / 7 - Dom Viçoso - 9:30 am – Sítio Pinhão Grande (Bocaina neighborhood) – (35) 9 9956-1200