Farsul and Fundação Pró-Sementes present ECR Trigo 2021

The choice of wheat cultivar can result in a difference of 35 bags per hectare, equivalent to R$2.975,00 (considering the value of R$85,00 per bag). The numbers were released during the presentation of the results of the 2021 Harvest Wheat Cultivar Network Trial (ECR), this Tuesday (22/02) via videoconference. This is the thirteenth edition of the survey, which is carried out by Farsul in partnership with the Pró-Sementes Foundation and is sponsored by Senar-RS and Bayer.

The presentation was led by the Research and Development coordinator at Fundação Pró-Sementes, Kassiana Kehl, responsible for the work. The research was carried out in an experimental network divided into two regions totaling seven municipalities. Region 1 formed by São Gabriel, Cruz Alta, Passo Fundo and Vacaria, and Region 2 with Cachoeira do Sul, São Luiz Gonzaga and Santo Augusto. "We are looking for a heterogeneous form in Rio Grande do Sul that is representative of the wheat crop. We have a great diversity in relation to climate, type of soil and altitude. We also look at the issue of sowing, within what is indicated by the agricultural zoning , so as not to harm producers", informed Kassiana.

In total, thirty cultivars from five breeders were evaluated. The research was divided into early, medium/late cycle. The coordinator draws attention to some events that occurred during the experiment, such as São Gabriel, which had a ryegrass infestation, and São Luiz Gonzaga, which experienced a severe drought in July.

In Region 1, the highlight was the cultivar ORS 1403, which reached a productivity of 162,1 scs/ha (medium/late cycle), in Vacaria. Kassiana commented that this was the greatest result obtained since she was in charge of the research. However, it draws attention to one fact. "There are places that belong to the same region, but bring very different results", she commented. This is the case of the champion cultivar, which in São Gabriel reached 79 scs/ha.

In Region 2, the highest productivity recorded was TBIO Ponteiro, with 127 scs/ha, in Cachoeira do Sul, also in the medium/late cycle. The coordinator highlighted the technological quality in the results. "Our objective, as a research institution, is, in addition to helping the producer, also to analyze quality for the milling industry", explained Kassiana

The researcher highlighted the importance of increasing productivity. "The big challenge we have on our hands is to increase the state average. We know that the cost of production has increased a lot. It is a very high cost and we need to act so that the producer has greater profitability", he assessed when referring to a survey of Fecoagro/RS which indicates a cost equivalent to 50,5 scs/ha, while the average productivity in Rio Grande do Sul was 49,97 scs/ha.

Kassiana made a point of reinforcing the objective of the research. "Our objective, with the ECR, is to increase profitability through the choice of cultivar. We do not intend to show who produces more. What producers often do not realize is the difference in productivity from one cultivar to another depending on the region. This is a a number that shocks anyone who sees it from that angle. Wheat is a very technical crop. To be a wheat farmer you really have to invest in the crop and invest", he described.

The president of Sistema Farsul, Gedeão Pereira, opened the event. He spoke about the current situation in agriculture. "We are in an extremely difficult year in agriculture in the four southern states. I don't know if this isn't the worst moment of our existence, we went from heaven to hell in one year. Last season was a record harvest, wonderful prices and this time a disaster that is happening, so much so that it is influencing the price of soybeans in the world", he commented. However, Gedeão recalled that climate forecasts indicate the extension of La Niña until the end of the year. "But we know that wheat likes dry weather. Suddenly, we will have a great prospect of a good winter harvest of this noble cereal", he considered.

The director of Farsul and coordinator of the Wheat and Winter Crops Commission, Hamilton Jardim, highlighted the importance of research for rural producers. "I would like to recognize, on behalf of the Commission, this partnership formed together with the Pró-Sementes Foundation, a serious, suitable work that has, since 2008, offered a wonderful tool for producers to make the right decision in relation to the cultivars to be planted in the different wheat-growing regions of the state. This decision-making is fundamental for us to have quality productivity, which is what we pursue in this house", he stated.

The president of the Pró-Sementes Foundation, Hugo Boff, also highlighted the partnership between the entities. "This tool is only viable thanks to this existing partnership with the Farsul System. Without it, it would not be possible to carry out this work, which, technically, I think is the most important in terms of winter culture in Brazil, and which we present to farmers in Rio Grande do South", he reported.

The superintendent of Senar-RS, Eduardo Condorelli, highlighted the technical importance of the research. "There is a lot in crop management that does not refer to economic issues, but much more techniques and management. This work addresses that. What this work sets out to do is show the behavior of the thirty cultivars available on the market according to the various types of soil, climate and altitude in the state. It is very important for the producer to choose the best car depending on the road he will drive", he compared. "We consult the publication a maximum of three times, but precisely at the most important moments", he added.

Bayer's Regional Soy Manager, Marcos Puhlmann, highlighted the increasing need for business planning. "This summer is making us think about production systems. The farmer, on average, needs to make seventy to one hundred decisions, almost always alone. He increasingly needs to be with his technician, his source of information for making decisions. decision. The more people nearby to help you with this decision, the better it is", he said.