Pivots enable economic stability for the producer

Having a diversified production so as not to be held hostage by market fluctuations and thus achieving economic stability is the desire of many producers. But what for many is a distant dream, for the farmer and agronomist, Simon Veldt, is already a reality.

With some properties in the Paranapanema Valley, southwest of the state of São Paulo, the producer currently operates an area of ​​approximately 1.800 hectares, rotating five crops annually. They are: beans, corn, soybeans, cotton and wheat. “This rotated system, in addition to improving soil quality and increasing productivity, guarantees economic security, after all, if a certain crop does not do well in a year, the others balance the financial situation”, he highlights.

This Veldt strategy only worked thanks to the use of irrigation pivots that guarantee the water necessary for the development of crops throughout the development period. But his history with irrigation is not new, the first pivot was acquired in 1988, after the State of São Paulo went through one of the worst droughts in its history. Since then, irrigation has become a fundamental part of the properties' production system. There are currently 27 pieces of equipment in an area of ​​1.600 hectares. “Without a doubt, without pivots, production in our region would not be possible,” he states.

High productivity

With crop rotation and irrigation, farmers have achieved high productivity in their crops, above the national average. In soybean cultivation, for example, while many producers in Brazil harvested 50 bags of 60 kilos per hectare in the last harvest, Veldt had an average of 75 bags per hectare, an increase of 50% in relation to his peers.

In cotton, the reality is no different. In the last harvest, for example, while in the rainfed area the average productivity was 150 arrobas per hectare in irrigated regions, with pivots, the harvest was 350 arrobas per hectare. The result represents a difference of 133%. “In all the crops we plant, we have above-average productivity with the help of pivots. We always try to be at the forefront of technologies, always seeking to be ahead of the market and trends”, says the producer.

Tools

Veldt's crops rely on Zimmatic center pivot technologies, a brand from Lindsay, a global company that has produced a complete line of irrigation systems for over 55 years. In addition to being robust, resistant and efficient equipment, the pivots also feature FieldNET, a solution also offered by Lindsay. The management tool is wireless and fully integrated, allowing you to view and control your systems from virtually anywhere. This way the producer can irrigate the necessary amount, at the right time in the exact location. Another difference with FieldNET is that it also generates savings for the farm. With this information, the producer does not need to be in the field to turn the equipment on and off. Remotely, from wherever he is, he can do this while saving labor and fuel.

According to Jesley Henrique Carriel de Jesus, director of the resale Irrigação Carriel, a Lindsay partner that provides support for Veldt farms, monitoring the property's performance is always closely monitored by the company's team. “We are constantly in contact with the farm administrator to check that all technologies are working well. Furthermore, through the system I monitor all FieldNETs in our region”, says Jesus.

If the producer still needs face-to-face support to solve any technical or mechanical problem with the equipment, a team is available that is always ready to assist with your needs. “We do this work together with farm employees, so we quickly resolve any problems”, concludes the director.