Precipitation in variable volumes, which occurred in recent periods over Rio Grande do Sul, reduced the pace of soybean harvesting, which reaches 66% of the cultivated area in the 2023/2024 harvest, with 28% still maturing and 6% of the crops in grain filling. According to the Conjunctural Information, released this Thursday (25/04) by Emater/RS-Ascar, linked to the State Secretariat for Rural Development (SDR), the occasional heavy rains that occurred over the Central-West region of the State, where it exceeded 250 mm, they caused the threshing of pods and the overflow of water courses, directly affecting crops.
In the State, as the harvest progresses to the final third, there is a tendency to reduce crop productivity. This decrease occurs after a peak in yield, in which the best-performing crops expressed a productive potential exceeding 5,400 kg/ha, and is noticed from the beginning of the harvest of later crops, affected by phytosanitary problems, especially Asian rust. However, this situation does not compromise the current harvest, which is considered quite satisfactory. The productivity estimate remains at 3,329 kg/ha.
Corn – The crop harvest increased 4% compared to the previous period, reaching 82% in the State. The pace of harvesting is still a little slow due to the prioritization of soybean harvesting and rainfall, which made the operation difficult. The prices received by producers have been lower than desired. The sometimes unsatisfactory remuneration, coupled with the risks of drought and the high incidence of pests – especially leafhoppers – affect the intention to plant the next harvest, which may suffer a reduction in area. The cultivation area is estimated at 812,795 hectares, and current productivity at 6,464 kg/ha.
Corn silage – Both harvesting and silage were hampered by the recurrence of rain since the previous period, preventing activities in the field. It was only possible to carry out new silages from 04/19, when the land and plants reached more adequate levels of humidity. Despite these adverse conditions, the harvest is approaching completion in the North of the State, with larger areas remaining in the South. Projected productivity remains at 35,518 kg/ha.
1st harvest beans – The harvest has been completed. The harvest was considered satisfactory. An estimated 25,264 hectares are cultivated and 1,930 kg/ha of productivity.
Beans 2nd harvest – 13% of the crops are in flowering; 38% in grain filling; 33% in maturation; and 16% were harvested. Management activities were made difficult by high humidity due to rain and the presence of dew. The area cultivated in the 2nd harvest, in the State, is estimated at 19,900 hectares, and the projected productivity is 1,568 kg/ha. However, initial harvest results indicate a trend of an 8% increase in relation to initial productivity, but this proportion needs to be confirmed as the harvest progresses.
Rice – The rains delayed the harvest, prolonging the appropriate period for carrying out the operation in some crops that have already been mature for a few weeks, increasing the risk of losses due to the repeated wetting and drying cycles, which affect the quality of the grains. It is estimated that approximately 70% of the cultivated area has been harvested; 28% is in the maturation phase; and 2% are still in grain filling. The cultivated area in the State is estimated at 900,203 hectares, according to the Rio Grandense do Arroz Institute (Irga). Productivity is estimated at 8,325 kg/ha, according to Emater/RS-Ascar, but there is a possibility of an increase, depending on the success in harvesting the latest crops.
OLERICULTURAL
Onion – In the administrative region of Emater/RS-Ascar de Caxias do Sul, the new onion harvest began with the sowing of super early varieties. The first seedbeds implemented showed good germination and stand, but there were some problems with tipping over, caused by the rain. The price of the seed depends on the brand and variety, but the most traditional ones grown in the region are being purchased for R$780.00 to R$1,340.00/kg. In the sowing system, around two kilos of seeds are sown per hectare, which are subsequently transplanted. Correction of soil acidity and fertility is carried out in planting areas in some areas. Many producers are arranging the costs through Pronaf with financial agents. The expectation of planting intentions for the 2024/2025 harvest is a considerable reduction in the area to be planted.
In the Pelotas region, the onion off-season continues. Producers request funding projects to finance the 2024/2025 harvest with financial agents, as well as negotiate and purchase inputs. The planting of onion seeds for the production of seedlings has already begun, which will be transplanted from June onwards. These seedlings are all grown directly in beds in the ground. A small increase in planted area in the region is estimated, limited to the availability of labor. The price paid to producers for box 3 onion is R$5.75/kg.
PASTURES – On most properties, the established winter pastures have not yet reached the ideal height for the introduction of animals, although some producers have already started to release cattle in these areas. In some regions, recurrent rains caused difficulties in managing annual summer pastures. Many areas were severely waterlogged, resulting in excessive uprooting and trampling of plants, which caused significant loss of pasture availability. In native and cultivated perennial pastures, there was good forage production, despite the reduction in temperature and light in recent weeks.
MILK CATTLE FARMING – Due to the forage gap period, milk production is declining on properties dependent exclusively on cultivated annual pastures. On the other hand, on many properties, producers who use corn silage report satisfactory productivity due to the good quality of the silage from this harvest. Despite adequate livestock conditions, tick infestations persist, requiring continuous control measures.
BEEKEEPING – In the administrative region of Emater/RS-Ascar de Bagé, apiaries installed close to commercial eucalyptus plantations or native forest and countryside formations in bloom are in full swing. In Caxias do Sul, the absence of rain favored the work of bees. However, the low availability of flowers resulted in a reduction in nectar entry into the hives and in the laying of queens. In Lajeado, many producers have honey in stock due to low demand in the market, while some are anticipating a possible increase in prices due to the scarcity of the harvest. During this period, harvesting, queen exchange and hive inspections continue. In Passo Fundo, expectations of low honey production persist.
ARTISAN FISHING – In the administrative region of Emater/RS-Ascar de Pelotas, in Rio Grande, there was little shrimp catch in Lagoa dos Patos, insufficient for commercialization. In São José do Norte, shrimp catches are practically zero, leading fishermen to depend on mullet and croaker fishing as an alternative source of income. The municipality requested an emergency fishing decree. In São Lourenço do Sul, mullet fishing continues. In Pelotas, fishermen are catching mainly mullet, and there are little or no shrimp catches. Water levels in the Jaguarão River and Lagoa Mirim remain high, and few catches are reported. In Tavares, Lagoa do Peixe follows the shrimp harvest; there was a good output and attractive prices due to the scarcity of shrimp in Lagoa dos Patos.
In the Santa Rosa region, fish catches remain low, mainly cascudo, yellowfin guinea fowl and occasionally some piava. The Uruguay River continues to have an unstable level and turbid water, leading fishermen to remove their fishing materials from the riverbed and cancel fishing activities, waiting for the level to return to normal. As a result, fish availability in municipalities remains low.
