Soybean harvest presents further reduction in RS

New assessment of the soybean harvest in Rio Grande do Sul points to a significant reduction in the production and productivity of the crop. The survey, carried out by Emater/RS in 396 municipalities, indicates the uneven effects of the drought in the different regions of the state.

According to published data, the area cultivated with soybeans is 6.513.891 hectares. The initially projected productivity was 3.131 kg/ha. On March 07, the number was revised to 2.175 kg/ha. Now, with a new reduction, the estimate is 1.923 kg/ha. This represents a drop of 38,58% in relation to the initially projected productivity.

As a result, oilseed production in the 2022/2023 harvest is expected to result in 12.525.882 tons, which represents a reduction of 39,09% in the initially estimated production, which was 20.563.989 tons.

The effects of the drought were uneven in the different regions of the state, with productivity losses being lower in the administrative region of Emater/RS of Caxias do Sul, where they were less than 5%. In contrast, the Santa Rosa region, in the west of the state, suffered the most severe damage, with estimated losses of up to 67%.

The harvest has reached 80% and is close to completion in some regions. Maturing crops account for 17%, and there is still 3% in grain filling.

After harvest, producers manage the crops from which the soybeans were removed, especially correcting soil acidity and sowing cover crops.