Wheat harvest begins in RS

With the decrease in rainfall and the continuation of some sunny days, there was an increase in the area of ​​wheat harvested in Rio Grande do Sul, which reached 3% of the cultivated area. According to Emater/RS, the crop is progressing rapidly towards the grain filling and maturation stages, which represent 58% and 23% of development respectively. In these phases, productivity is determined, including the size and quality of the grains, as the number of plants and the quantity of grains per plant were already defined in the initial stages of wheat growth.

In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Bagé, in Campanha, adverse weather conditions in September affected crops planted at the beginning of the recommended period, which are in the reproductive phase, with damage caused by the incidence of fungal diseases. Proagro activations increase as crops reach the maturation phase. In Alegrete, estimates already point to a 15% reduction in the crop's productive potential. Losses in the region, to date, correspond to 10% in relation to the initially predicted productivity.

In the Santa Rosa region, 32% of crops are in grain filling; 57% in the maturation phase; and the harvest reached 11% of the cultivated area. However, the harvested crops also show a reduction in productivity, in relation to the initial expectation, which was 3.267 kg/ha, but currently the recorded average is 2.735 kg/ha, representing an average reduction of more than 16%. In the Missions Region, the reduction is approximately 20%. Some loads received by cooperatives have already been classified as wheat, which has a pH below 72 and a sales value of R$30,00/sc. of 60 kg.

White oats - The cultivation area in the 2023 Harvest is 365.081 hectares, and productivity is estimated at 2.340 kg/ha. Among the winter grain species, oats are the ones with the most advanced harvest cycle. As this operation progresses, an increase in the amount of damaged grains is noted due to the long period of high humidity. These grains have a dark color, irregular spots and lack of firmness (chochos). In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Ijuí, around 75% of crops are in the maturation phase or have already been harvested. However, it is clear that the production potential is below initial expectations, and there is considerable variability in the quality of the grains harvested so far.

Canola - The estimated cultivation area is 67.219 hectares, and productivity is estimated at 1.632 kg/ha. There was significant progress in the harvest, however, crops in the final stages of grain filling and maturation predominate. Producers are applying products to standardize plant maturation and assist in threshing and separating grains during the process. In the Santa Maria region, 19% of crops are in flower; 50% in the grain filling phase; 20% in physiological maturity; and 10% already harvested. The long period of humidity caused abortion and flower drop, which could result in a reduction in productivity.

Barley - The cultivation projection is 35.899 hectares, and the expected productivity is 3.144 kg/ha. The crop is predominantly in the grain filling phase. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Erechim, barley crops are in the grain filling and maturation phases. The occurrence of typical cob diseases, such as blast and head blight, has increased due to recent rains, raising concerns about a possible drop in quality. It is worth mentioning that this region has the largest planted area in the State, with Sertão being the municipality with the largest regional production, with 4.100 hectares cultivated.

Summer crops

Corn - The sown area reached 62% of the cultivation projection. The crops are in the germination and vegetative development phases. The period with less rainfall and a greater number of sunny days favored vegetative development. In general, crops have already recovered from their chlorotic appearance due to the reduction in photosynthetic activity, which occurred in previous weeks, when rains were frequent. During this period, top-dressing nitrogen fertilization was resumed, taking advantage of the moisture present in the soil and considering forecasts of new precipitation.

Corn silage - The cultivation area is estimated at 364.291 hectares, with expected productivity of 39.088 kg/ha. In the administrative regions of Emater/RS of Erechim and Frederico Westphalen, sowing has been completed, and the crops are in the germination and vegetative development stages. Climatic conditions are considered favorable, and producers continue pest management practices and the application of nitrogen fertilizers.

Rice - The Rio-Grandense Rice Institute (Irga) estimates cultivation of 902.425 hectares. Emater/RS projects productivity of 8.359 kg/ha. The culture is in the initial stages of implementation, hampered by the recurrence of precipitation. Due to the reduction in rainfall volumes, the sowing operation began in several regions of the State. In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Bagé, in Maçambará, drier weather allowed the planting of 10% of the total planned area. Crops sown during this period will be established within the preferential season, which extends until 10/11, which coincides with the period of greatest availability of solar radiation at the beginning of the reproductive phase. In Soledade, sowing of pre-germinated rice began. With the rainy climate, which maintains a layer of water in the plots, water is saved in the reservoirs. However, in the dry soil sowing system, excess moisture is making it difficult for machines to enter the fields to carry out preparation and planting.

Beans 1st harvest - For the 2023/2024 Harvest, a projected cultivation area of ​​29.053 hectares. The productivity estimate is 1.775 kg/ha. The culture is in the implementation phase, and is about to be completed in the Northwest Region of the State. However, in the main producing region of the first harvest, located in Campos de Cima da Serra, sowing is only scheduled to begin in December. In some areas of the state, lower temperatures delayed crop development. In the Soledade region, in terms of development, the sown area reached 50%; 95% of crops are in vegetative development; and 5% are flourishing.

Vegetable crops - In the administrative region of Emater/RS de Pelotas, ceboliculturists have completed the transplantation of seedlings, but there are delays in plant growth due to heavy rains and cloudy days. Many flowerbeds will need to be redone due to landslides and surface washing caused by intense rains. Furthermore, it will be necessary to reapply fertilizers due to the rain, which caused leaching. In Rio Grande and São José do Norte, there were significant losses due to hail, affecting around 138 ceboliculturists. It is possible that there will be a drastic reduction in productivity, as the leaves of the plants have been destroyed, compromising the production of bulbs for commercial purposes. Cebol growers continue to apply fungicides to prevent foliar diseases in plants, when there is the possibility of access to crops. Due to all these climatic adversities, the forecast is for a smaller harvest compared to the previous harvest (2022/2023). As for seed production, producers are facing challenges due to the weather in recent weeks, but they hope to plant around 120 hectares in Herval, which is the main producer.