Corn planting reaches 96% of the area in Rio Grande do Sul, according to a survey by Emater. Last year in the same period, the corn planting area reached 97%. The five-year average was 99%. Some 27% of the planted area has already been harvested, while 18% was harvested at the same point last year. The average for the period is 18%. The dry weather accelerated the grain maturation and the drying process in the current season. The results obtained are variable, depending on the cultivation system, and on the greater or lesser incidence of drought during the crop cycle. The lowest yields are from non-irrigated crops grown in the north, center, and west of Rio Grande do Sul. Part of the producers chose not to harvest grains, due to the cost of the operation and the low quality of the product: malformed corn ears and reduced size grains. These crops are intended either for making whole-plant silage or for grazing.
Sources: Agência Safras/Canal Rural (*Translated by Ia Niani)