Wheat gives way to soybean crops in the RS 26/11/2010 - 8:44 a.m.

(from
APROSOJA - Bing Translated)

Wheat harvest continues with an above-average rate in Rio Grande do Sul,

nearing the end. According to information from Emater / RS-Ascar, farmers
have already reaped more than 80% of the total cultivated area and are
getting good yields. In all regions, the final quality of the grain has
been cause for celebration. In many loads, the grains reach an average pH
around 80. Meanwhile, many farmers follow the planting of summer crops such
as rice, beans, corn and soybeans.

The 2010/2011 crop soybean has reached about 50% of the total cultivated
area. The drought that lasted until the middle of this week was a hindrance
to cultivation, who faced inadequate moisture in many regions. As a
consequence, in individual cases, germination was more slowly and
irregularly, leaving gaps in the fields. The expectation is that the
incidence of rain in the state to reverse the unfavorable situation for
producers.

Like most of the state territory, the region in wheat crops are nearly
grown and give space for other activities. In the lower Rio Pardo Valley,
the largest wheat producer has already closed the harvest of the current
cycle. The municipality of Pantano Grande has four producers, and
approximately 2 000 hectares devoted to culture. The beans are stored in
cooperatives contrib, Cotriel Cereals and GTS.

According to the Municipal Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock of Santa

Cruz do Sul (RS), Claudio Silveira da Rosa, the harvest occurred between
the months of October and November. "We had an average production of 35
bags per hectare and a high quality grain." Despite the positive numbers,
laments the low price offered by the product, about $ 21.00 a bag. "Farmers
have little return because the production cost is very high."

For Rosa, the market is bad for the cereal in Brazil, mainly because of
unfair competition with other producing countries, especially Argentina.
"Today, 90% of our flour comes out." As noted, the wheat crop is endangered
in the country. In the Great Swamp, the cultivated areas has been
decreasing each year. In the last harvest, the decrease was 30%. "To change
this setting, you must modify the system of marketing."

ALTERNATIVE
The few who resist wheat farmers did benefit the wheat crop as an
alternative. Currently, the straw is in the fields after harvest serves as
a cover crop to no-till soybeans. As the Secretary, the practice is common
in Pantano Grande - who this week stepped up the planting of soybeans. All
30 producers have already begun work on approximately 10 000 hectares.

The expectation is that by the end of December, the crops are sown. The
biggest concern, however, is the interference with the La Nina phenomenon,
which is characterized by irregular rains cause. The recent period of
drought delayed planting in the municipality. Until the middle of this
week, only about 20% of the area was cultivated. "Agriculture is an
industry open and is susceptible to bad weather," he concludes.

WORK NOT TO INSIDE

There are about 10 days, the family Springer, the town of Lagoão, interior
Pantano Grande, ended the harvest of 350 acres of wheat. However, work on
the property following intensively. Leveraging the straw that was in
farming, the brothers Larry and Lily enhance no-till soybeans.

The projection is that everything is ready by the 20th of December, as

agreed by the young Cassius Springer, son of Lauro. At 21, he is a student
of Agricultural Engineering at Unisco and monitors the entire production
process in the field.

Producers of wheat for 28 years, the current crop Springer brothers reaped
about 40 bags per hectare - average considered positive. According to Lily,
now the wheat farmers need to have a high productivity to cover the high
cost of production. "To make a profit, we sell the bag for at least $
32.00." The suggested price is 52% higher than the current market value.
Author: Michelle Treichel

Source: Gazette Communications Group

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