RS Harvest 2024/25: wheat has satisfactory development

Wheat planting in Rio Grande do Sul is facing significant challenges this season due to excess soil moisture and heavy rains, which are delaying sowing in several regions. According to the Informativo Conjuntural, released today (5/6) by Emater/RS, a small part of the area planned for wheat has been planted, and farmers are waiting for better weather conditions to move forward with the operation. Also due to the rainfall, areas of soil erosion are already beginning to be observed. 

The outlook is cautious. There was a reduction in the cultivated area compared to the previous harvest and adjustments in investment strategies, including greater use of saved seeds. Despite this, the crops already established show satisfactory vegetative development, maintaining productivity expectations within the parameters expected for the period.

In the Emater/RS administrative region of Caxias do Sul, wheat sowing will begin next week in the lower altitude municipalities. In the municipalities located in Campos de Cima da Serra, which concentrate the largest wheat area in the region, sowing is scheduled for July. In Santa Rosa, sowing is progressing slowly, reaching 10% of the area. In the planted fields, the crop is in vegetative development, and conditions are considered satisfactory for this phase. The initial productivity estimate is 3.240 kg/ha. In the Soledade region, wheat sowing has also reached 10% of the estimated area, and may extend until July 20 for most municipalities, according to the Agricultural Zoning.

The area planted with wheat in the 2024 Harvest in the State was 1.331.013 hectares, and productivity was 2.781 kg/ha (IBGE). Emater/RS is carrying out a survey of planting intentions and the productivity estimate for the 2025 Harvest, not only for wheat, but also for white oats, canola and barley, which should be presented in the coming weeks.

White oats - Soil and climate conditions are significantly influencing the planting rate, as excess moisture in some areas makes sowing difficult. However, vegetative development in the planted crops is satisfactory, with good stand uniformity and no significant phytosanitary problems. Producers have made progress in crop management, with an emphasis on nitrogen topdressing and weed control, especially in the more advanced areas. Despite specific challenges related to climate conditions, the crop maintains adequate production potential, with positive expectations for yield in this harvest. The crop is a good winter crop alternative, considering its uses (animal and human feed and seed production).

The area cultivated with white oats in the 2024 Harvest in the State was 368.450 hectares, and productivity was 2.196 kg/ha (IBGE).

Canola - Canola represents an important strategic option for the winter harvest in the State, presenting a diversified scenario among the producing regions, due to the adaptation of the species and management characteristics, in addition to meeting the demand of livestock and industry. The progress of sowing depends on favorable weather conditions, but in some regions the sown area exceeds 60% of the estimated.

In the Emater/RS administrative region of Frederico Westphalen, for example, the forecast for an increase in the area cultivated with canola of 4.855 hectares remains, representing an increase of 80%. More than half (60%) of the area has been sown and is in vegetative development suitable for the season. In Santa Maria, the estimate is an increase of 18% in the planted area in relation to the last harvest, totaling 41.208 hectares. In Tupanciretã, around 90% of the 19 thousand hectares estimated for cultivation have been sown.

The area cultivated with canola in the 2024 Harvest in the State was 147.879 hectares, and productivity was 1.417 kg/ha (IBGE).

Barley - sowing has begun or is in the preparation phase. Despite the low expression of this crop in the state, expansion of the cultivated area is projected in some municipalities, as it is an important alternative for the diversification of winter crops. In the administrative region of Emater/RS in Erechim, the expected planting is 672 hectares, which represents a 51% increase in relation to the last harvest. In Ijuí, producers are drying the areas to be sown for the beer industry. In the areas intended for animal feed, crops are showing good development.

In the 2024 Harvest, the area cultivated with barley in Rio Grande do Sul was 35.036 hectares, and the average productivity was 3.115 kg/ha, according to IBGE.

Vetch - in the administrative region of Emater/RS in Santa Rosa, crops sown in March and April show adequate vegetative development, soil coverage and nitrogen fixation. Later sowings (late May) are in the germination and initial establishment phase. The rainfall in recent days has not caused significant damage to the crops due to the size of the plants, which have already reached about 10 cm in height, protecting the soil.