RS 2024/25 Harvest: wet weather delays winter planting

Excessive soil moisture is delaying the planting of winter crops in Rio Grande do Sul. Canola, one of the main crops of the season, already requires replanting in some regions. Even so, planted crops are beginning to flower, according to Emater/RS.

In the Santa Rosa region, 84% of the canola areas have been planted. Of the total, 90% of the crops are still in vegetative development and 10% are already flowering. In São Luiz Gonzaga, with a large area dedicated to the crop, companies are promoting cultivation due to the construction of a processing unit with a capacity of 700 tons per day.

Frederico Westphalen leads in relative growth of the area with canola. Around 60% of the predicted area has been sown and the crops are developing well. In Manoel Viana, in the Bagé region, producers are facing difficulties and part of the area needed to be replanted. It is estimated that 80% of the predicted 7.300 hectares have been sown.

In the previous cycle, the state cultivated 1.331.013 hectares of canola, with a productivity of 2.781 kg/ha, according to IBGE.

Wheat planting is also affected by the weather. Only 12% of the total area has been planted. Farmers are waiting for better conditions to move forward. In the Ijuí region, wet soil has limited sowing to 8%. Crops planted at the end of April emerge more uniformly in soils with good infiltration. In compacted areas, however, emergence fails and there is erosion and silting of the furrows. In Pelotas, planting is just beginning and producers are still preparing the areas and acquiring inputs.

White oats are also facing difficulties. In Erechim, planting has been completed, but humidity has delayed the operation. In Frederico Westphalen, 45% of the area is established and in vegetative development. The drop in temperatures has favored management, with the application of fungicides and fertilization. In Ijuí, sowing has reached 70% even with waterlogged soil. Crops planted in April have a yellowish-green color due to low light.

In barley, the scenario is even more complicated. High humidity in early June prevented planting in several regions. In Erechim, producers are waiting for drier conditions. In Ijuí, planting has not progressed, remaining at 52%. The price of a 60 kg bag is R$84,00.