Winter crop productivity increases in RS

New samplings carried out at the end of November indicate an increase in the productivity of the main winter cereals grown in RS, according to the Conjunctural Information released this Thursday (01/12) by Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Development Rural (Seapdr).

In the State, the wheat cultivation area reached 1.458.026 hectares in the 2022 harvest, with 85% of the harvest in this area having already been completed in the western region of the State. Most crops have high productivity and excellent quality of the final harvested product.

In a new sampling, carried out in 331 municipalities, between the 23rd and 27th of November, wheat productivity in the State was reassessed at 3.410 kg/ha, 6,2% higher than the projection at the end of September, at 3.210 kg/ha . The increase in production estimates occurred in all administrative regions of Emater/RS-Ascar. In a first group, with productivity between 2.500 and 2.750 kg/ha, are the regions of Porto Alegre, Pelotas and Bagé. In an intermediate grouping, between 3.250 and 3.400 kg/ha, are the regions of Frederico Westphalen, Santa Maria, Soledade and Lajeado. Those with the highest productivity – above 3.500 kg/ha – are the regions of Santa Rosa, Ijuí, Erechim, Caxias do Sul and Passo Fundo, which have the highest regional productivity, estimated at 3.730 kg/ha. State production, with the new productivity, is revalued to 4,97 million tons.

In canola, whose harvest of the 53.415 hectares cultivated was completed, the estimated productivity, based on new sampling in 96 municipalities, was 1.790 kg/ha, 9,7% higher than the 1.638 kg/ha estimated at the end of September. The four regions with the greatest extent of cultivation – Bagé, Ijuí, Santa Maria and Santa Rosa – are responsible for more than 90% of production and have very similar regional productivity, between 1.790 kg/ha and 1.860 kg/ha. Harvest production is estimated at 95.618 tons.

With 90% of the 37.500 cultivated hectares harvested, sampling in 70 barley-producing municipalities showed a change in productivity expectations of +3,8%, increasing from 3.237 kg/ha to 3.360 kg/ha. Among the main producing regions, the production range was approximately 3.000 kg/ha, in the regions of Ijuí and Frederico Westphalen, to 3.590 kg/ha, in Passo Fundo. Estimated production was revised to 126 thousand tons.

White oat grains are in the process of being harvested, being completed or already finished in the West of the State and, to a lesser extent, in the East. The cultivation area is 350.641 hectares. The state rate is 93% harvested.

The review carried out by sampling in 181 municipalities indicates an expected productivity of 2.590 kg/ha, representing an increase of 4,5% in relation to the previous survey, which indicated 2.478 kg/ha. White oat for grain production is the winter crop that presents the greatest difference in productivity between regions: in Bagé and Pelotas, it is close to 1.500 kg/ha, and in Caxias do Sul and Ijuí, close to 2.900 kg/ha. This difference arises from the purposes of the crops, that is, from use for animal feed to commercialization for the human food industry and their different management, which are factors causing this amplitude. The revised estimated production is 908.160 tonnes.

Summer crops

Soybean

The projected area for the 2022/2023 harvest is 6.568.607 hectares. The estimated productivity is 3.131 kg/ha. The crop advanced from sowing to 73% of the projected area. The operation was conditioned by the presence of moisture in the soil. In regions where rainfall was greater than 10 mm, it was possible to sow with adequate humidity; in the others, producers carried out planting more cautiously, counting on the forecast of rain, or postponed until after the occurrence of new precipitation.

The initial development of the crop is somewhat slow due to low soil moisture, very high temperatures in the afternoon, low relative air humidity and the presence of winds from the southern quadrant, which increased the plants' real evapotranspiration. The crops sown until November 15th are in the development stage with the issuance of trefoils. Crops sown after this date show uneven emergence.

Corn

The estimated cultivation area for the 2022/2023 harvest is 831.786 hectares. The estimated productivity is 7.337 kg/ha.

Sowing progressed little, that is, to 84%, because in addition to the low humidity in the soil, producers dedicated themselves to the same activity in soybean cultivation. The weather conditions, initially with precipitation, then with sunny days and high temperatures, accelerated the growth of crops. However, with insufficient precipitation volumes in some regions, there are already signs of thermal and water stress, but without causing major impacts on the crop's productive potential.

There is concern about the irregularity and poor distribution of rainfall during the month of November, a period when crops begin the reproductive process and, consequently, require more water for the formation of reproductive structures and grain reserves. Non-irrigated crops show an increase in water deficit symptoms, such as curling and discoloration of leaves in the upper part of the plant and the beginning of senescence of basal leaves. In fertilizing crops, small pollination and grain formation failures are already observed, influencing production potential. In crops with an irrigation system, the crop situation is different, with well-developed plants, normal leaves, dark green color and high productive potential, benefiting from high sunlight.

Corn silage

The culture remains in staggered implementation. It is estimated that 60% of the crops were implemented. The highest implementation rates are in the Emater/RS-Ascar administrative regions of Erechim and Passo Fundo, which are approaching completion, and the lowest in the Porto Alegre and Bagé regions, with 25% and 40% sown, respectively.

As for the phases, vegetative development predominates, corresponding to 61% of crops, flowering in 30% and grain filling in 9%.

In the Santa Rosa region, crops are developing well, but due to the lack of moisture in the soil, some of them already show symptoms of water deficit, causing concern for milk producers, who depend on this food for food management.

Rice

The estimated rice area by IRGA is 862.498 hectares. The projected productivity is 8.226 kg/ha. Sowing is approaching its end and has reached 98% of the planned area.

Beans 1st harvest

The projected area for 1st harvest beans is 30.561 hectares. Estimated productivity remains at 1.701 kg/ha.

Fruit crops

Grapes

In the Caxias do Sul region, the period continued with excellent climatic conditions for crop development, berry growth and maintenance of plant health. The main plant disease in the region – downy mildew or mufa – is practically non-existent in the vines, and the most critical phenological phase is being overcome – the flowering of the vines. The moment was one of intense activities in green pruning, in addition to phytosanitary treatments, management of cover crops and top dressing fertilizations.

Harvesting of the current crop began using the Vênus cultivar, which is the earliest cultivated in the region and in places with warmer mesoclimates, that is, in the valleys of the largest rivers; the average price on the property is R$5,00/kg.