Corn cultivation is nearing the final stages of its cycle, and harvesting has progressed to 35%, favored by predominantly dry weather and high solar radiation and winds, which accelerate moisture loss in the grains. According to the Conjunctural Report, released this Thursday (February 5th), there is significant variability in productive performance due to the irregular distribution of rainfall and the coincidence of water deficit with critical stages, especially flowering and grain filling. In irrigated areas, yields are high, while rainfed crops show consolidated reductions in productivity.

Late plantings or second crops face greater water restriction during establishment and reproductive phases. In general, harvesting is progressing rapidly, and some areas have already been released for new sowings. Crops still in vegetative development (9%) show potential conditioned by maintaining soil moisture. It is estimated that 785,030 hectares will be cultivated and a productivity of 7,370 kg/ha will be achieved, according to Emater/RS-Ascar.

SOYBEAN

Soybean cultivation shows heterogeneous development in the state, due to the spatial and temporal irregularity of rainfall, associated with high temperatures. Crops with adequate vegetative growth and high productive potential are observed, contrasting with areas under water stress, even within the same region or even the same municipality.

Most crops are in phases of high water demand – flowering (46%) and pod formation and grain filling (27%), which increases sensitivity to reduced soil moisture.

For the 2025/2026 crop season in Rio Grande do Sul, Emater/RS-Ascar projects the cultivation of 6,742,236 hectares and an average productivity of 3,180 kg/ha.

CORN SILAGE

The period was marked by intense heat, low humidity, extremely uneven rainfall, and maximum temperatures above 30°C in practically the entire state, with peaks above 35°C in several municipalities, exacerbating water stress in areas where adequate rainfall did not occur.

Areas planted later, where the vegetative development phase still predominates, were not significantly affected by water stress and show good development. However, in several earlier planting locations, producers have been bringing forward the harvest to avoid losses in the quality of the silage mass.

According to estimates from Emater/RS-Ascar, the area destined for corn silage should reach 366,067 hectares, and productivity 38,338 kg/ha.

SECOND AND FIRST BEAN CROP

Climate conditions allowed for the advancement of first-crop bean sowing in the Campos de Cima da Serra region, the only area with significant areas still to be sown. Harvesting in other regions also benefited from the predominantly dry weather of the last period.

As rainfall was localized and poorly distributed, crops are showing different conditions, even in nearby locations. In areas in vegetative development (approximately 20%), there are no problems yet due to low humidity, but some crops are suffering from water deficiency.

Emater/RS-Ascar projected an area of ​​26,096 hectares and an average productivity of 1,779 kg/ha.

Second-crop bean sowing continues in the state, made possible by low rainfall in parts of the producing region, reaching 20%. The crops are in vegetative development.

Emater/RS-Ascar projects an area of ​​11,690 hectares and an average productivity of 1,401 kg/ha.

RICE

The rice crop generally shows development compatible with the phenological phases, favored by a predominance of sunny days and high solar radiation. Minimum temperatures remained close to the ideal range for the crop during this period. However, high maximum temperatures, occasionally exceeding 35 °C, increased the risk of spikelet fertilization failures in some areas in the reproductive phase.

Crops between the vegetative and reproductive stages predominate, showing good growth and health patterns due to climatic conditions less conducive to fungal diseases. Careful irrigation management at this time played a central role, given the increased water demand in the reproductive phase and the gradual reduction of reservoir levels in some areas.

In general, there is moderation in investments in inputs, especially in nitrogen fertilizers, reflecting cost containment strategies, but without significant detriment to productive potential so far. The area to be cultivated is estimated at 920,081 hectares (IRGA). Productivity is projected at 8,752 kg/ha, according to Emater/RS-Ascar.

Source: Notícias Agrícolas