RS 2024/25 Harvest: Rains favor canola and wheat

The rainfall recorded in recent weeks in Rio Grande do Sul has brought significant benefits to winter crops. Increased soil moisture has favored the development of canola, wheat, oats, and barley, but in some regions, excessive cold and low sunlight have negatively impacted strawberry production.

Canola in the spotlight

According to the Emater/RS Economic Bulletin, canola crops are experiencing favorable conditions, although producers are required to pay greater attention to monitoring and preventative control of pathogens. Currently, 74% of crops are in the vegetative phase, 22% are flowering, and 4% are forming siliques.

The expansion of flowering areas has boosted migratory beekeeping. Apiaries are being moved closer to crops, taking advantage of the flowering period for both honey production and cross-pollination. The presence of bees contributes to greater flower attachment, an increase in the number of siliques per plant, and productivity gains. For this winter, Emater/RS projects 206,2 hectares of canola cultivation, with an average productivity of 1.737 kg/ha.

Wheat, oats and barley

Wheat planting was completed within the window recommended by the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc). The crop also benefited from rainfall, which helped replenish soil moisture. However, weather conditions have required attention to disease control, such as leaf spot, which has led to increased fungicide applications. The cultivated area is estimated at 1,19 million hectares, with an average projected yield of 2.997 kg/ha.

White oats also responded positively to the rainfall, which favored both vegetative and reproductive development. Of the total planted, 78% of the crops are in the vegetative phase, 16% in flowering, and 6% in grain filling. The estimated area is 401,3 hectares, with an average yield of 2.254 kg/ha.

In the case of barley, rainfall helped to even out development and maintain the crops' productive potential. The water supply favored the transition between the vegetative and reproductive phases, in addition to stimulating tillering and stalk development. Management continues to focus on the application of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers as top dressing.

fruit growing

In strawberry fields, the situation varies by region. In Caxias do Sul, crops planted this year are showing good development and new flowers, with adequate health. The increased demand for the sweet "strawberry of love" has driven up demand and prices, which reached R$50,00/kg last week.

In the Pelotas region, weather conditions have been detrimental to the crop. Intense cold, combined with low sunlight and high relative humidity, has limited plant development, reducing flowering and fruit size. In these areas, production is lower, and prices remain high: R$30,00/kg in Turuçu and Morro Redondo, and between R$35,00 and R$45,00/kg in Rio Grande, Pelotas, and Capão do Leão. Meanwhile, in the Soledade region, limited solar radiation has delayed fruit formation and ripening. Prices range from R$20,00 to 25,00/kg. 

Pastures

In native grasslands, forage supply remains limited and of low quality, while improved grassland areas are showing good grazing potential. Summer pastures are virtually depleted, but winter species are gradually recovering, benefiting from moisture, milder temperatures, and increased light, which improves quality and animal utilization.