Discussion on winter crops attracts more than 500 people at Embrapa Wheat

Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Embrapa Wheat, organized many events in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. Members of the wheat production chain, including leaders, producers, students and research partners were involved in the activities in Rio Grande do Sul.

The main topic selected was “Good practices in wheat production: opportunities and challenges for wheat value chain.” The Brazilian team, led by Federation of Rio Grande do Sul Agriculture (Farsul), was assembled in the Permanent Forum of Agribusiness, discussing concerns about control of contaminants, technology production and secretion in wheat.

The contamination of grains due to practices such as wheat pre-harvest desiccation was discussed at the forum. According to Embrapa researchers, as of date, the only product registered for wheat desiccation is glufosinate ammonium, which dries the crops slowly without interruption to grain production at a dose of 1.75 l/ha.

They believe that the only benefit of desiccation is the uniformity of the crops, which requires a lot of attention to avoid grain contamination or losses, and that desiccation at physiological maturity (currently indicated for the operation) can enable harvesting for almost six days.

They believe that desiccation to harvest the wheat just six days earlier, in order to advance soybean planting, will not make much difference. It does not increase soybean production and can affect wheat yield.

The use of winter cereals for animal feed was other selected topic. A group of the Association of South Forage Seed Producers (Sulpasto) was received by researchers who shared results on wheat cultivars, triticale, rye, oats, barley, ryegrass, clover, millet and sudan grass. They also explained works on soil conservation in IAFP and forage planning.

The action was done in partnership with Emater/RS, in addition to Embrapa Units Products and Market, Corn and Sorghum, Temperate, South Livestock and Wheat.

The main technologies used in genetics and management developed by Embrapa Wheat were demonstrated in the field day on winter crops. More than 500 people attended the program that featured topics on soils, IAFP, canola, wheat and barley crops and integrated management of pests and disease.

The news in wheat cultivars caught the attention of producers. The integrated management of pests and diseases season was a key area, which helped in monitoring the crops to reduce the use of pesticides, resulting in boosting the health of the crops and the environment.

Conclusions from the trials were presented with different cultivars and chemical control strategies.

The last day was organized in partnership with the Federation of Unions of RS (Fecoagro) and it was dedicated to evaluate opportunities and challenges in wheat. Alternatives to reduce production costs and ensure sustainability in wheat cultivation were also explained. In the auditorium, there were discussions on challenges and commercialization of wheat and focusing on wheat for export.