Summary of PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL - 03/12/2023

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

In the March 12, 2023 episode of "Programa Revista Rural" on YouTube, the hosts discuss innovative farming techniques and challenges in Brazilian agriculture. One such technique is floating cultivation, where vegetables are grown in a swimming pool using nutrient-rich solutions. The hosts also explore the use of biologically treated seeds to control nematodes and fungi in agriculture, and the importance of sustainable farming practices like agroforestry and conservation agriculture in mitigating the effects of climate change. They interview an agronomist who shares insights on the impact of extreme weather events on crop yields and farm productivity, and the role of technology in helping farmers adapt to the changing climate conditions. Another segment focuses on a local farmer's decision to verticalize their production process for vegetables to control quality from seed to consumer and ensure availability and reduce price fluctuations. The program also touches upon the importance of correctly fertilizing coconut plantations and the development of a free program to help farmers accurately read and interpret the results. The Brazilian agricultural sector is focusing on increasing self-sufficiency in wheat production, and the use of biological treatments for wheat seeds is becoming more popular due to environmental sustainability concerns. The speakers also mention plans to introduce other treatments for the livestock market. Overall, the episode covers various aspects of agriculture in Brazil, from innovative farming techniques to challenges and solutions in the face of climate change and market fluctuations.

• 00:00:00 In this section of the "Programa Revista Rural" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the hosts discuss an innovative farming technique where vegetables are grown in a floating system in a swimming pool. The technique, known as flotation or floating cultivation, allows for the production of 4000 plants in a 7m x 30m pool using nutrient-rich solutions. The hosts explain that they were inspired by the need to expand their production and discovered this method after researching ways to continue hydroponic farming with a smaller investment. The practice is not common in Brazil, and the hosts visited small-scale producers to learn more. They began developing the system in 2021 and traveled to Holland to learn from professional producers. The first step in the process involves defining the beginning and end of the pool, transplanting seedlings into trays, and placing them in the water as they grow. The plants are gradually moved forward as they grow.
• 00:05:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the speaker discusses the process of growing lettuce in a floating system. The lettuce is harvested daily to keep the hydroponic system running smoothly. Varieties such as American lettuce and mini Romaine lettuce are used due to their ability to thrive in the floating system. The system includes four filtration systems that circulate the nutrient solution throughout the piscina. The lettuce grows and floats from one end of the piscina to the other as older plants are moved towards the harvesting area. This reduces the need for manual labor and allows for the efficient harvesting of high-quality lettuce with desirable foliage and root health. The speaker also mentions that their initial experiments with the hydroponic system yielded positive results, leading to the expansion of the system to 1000 m² with 20,100 plants.
• 00:10:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the speaker discusses the challenges and learnings of implementing floating cultivation in Brazil. The primary challenges included the need for unavailable technologies, which led to the development of local solutions. One such innovation was a new type of floating cultivation tray, which allowed for easier plant growth and root development. This solution was more advantageous than traditional hydroponics, as it consumed only 1% of the water and reduced production costs by 20-25%. The speaker also mentioned the expansion of their farm with new greenhouses and piscinas, aiming to produce 39 tonnes of produce per month starting from January 2024, representing a 40% increase in annual production. The farm also employs traditional cultivation and hydroponics, with lettuce being the main crop in their system.
• 00:15:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the focus is on a local farmer's decision to verticalize their production process for vegetables. The farmer explains that the reasons for this choice include controlling quality from seed to consumer, ensuring availability and reducing price fluctuations by managing the entire supply chain. The process involves bringing produce directly from the farm to a factory for cleaning, selection, and packaging, allowing for quick distribution to supermarkets and consumers within 24 hours. The farmer emphasizes that supermarkets represent 90% of their volume, and the remaining 10% comes from restaurants. Viewers are encouraged to leave comments and suggestions for future topics. One viewer requested a report on seed storage, and another asked for more information on raising chickens, particularly for beginners. The program also highlights the importance of the Nelore breed in Brazilian cattle farming for producing high-quality meat.
• 00:20:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the Nelore breed of cattle is discussed, which currently represents around 80% of the cattle for slaughter in Brazil. The Nelore breed's dominance is attributed to its adaptability to the tropical climate and topography, as well as its resistance to parasites and fertility. The rapid development of the Nelore breed is due to genetic research and various genetic improvement programs, some of which were established in the 1980s. The Nelore breed and its improvement programs are considered essential for the growth of Brazilian cattle farming. The breed is known for its early maturity and high-quality meat, which is in high demand in export markets for young animals under 30 months old. The Nelore breed is unique and important in Brazilian cattle farming because it is not only a producer of meat but also a producer of high-quality genetic descendants. A purebred Nelore cow, registered in the ABCCZ, is presented as an example, and its desirable characteristics, such as a well-positioned hump, good width of ribs, and a well-developed posterior, are highlighted as influencing the quality of the final meat product.
• 00:25:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the topic of discussion is the Nelore breed of cattle, which is known for its productivity and adaptability in different environments in Brazil. The age of the animal at slaughter is crucial, and it is linked to genetics, which determines precocity. The quality of the final product depends on factors such as animal health and nutrition, climate adaptation, and resistance to parasites. The Nelore breed, which was brought to Brazil from India, has over 200 million heads in the country. Its productivity, adaptability, and resistance to parasites have made it the dominant breed in Brazilian meat production. The Nelore breed is also known for its rustic nature, which includes resistance to endo and ectoparasites, and its dark skin helps in this regard. The temperament of the animal is also essential for easy handling and optimization of work. Over time, animals with a calmer temperament have been selected and privileged. The Nelor breed was once known for being aggressive but is now also seen as docile. This calm temperament also impacts performance and weight gain. The speaker also asks viewers to subscribe to their channel and leave comments to help produce better and more interesting content. The video also covers the Brazilian cattle market in 2023, which remains the world's largest exporter of beef, despite a 5% decrease in exports compared to the previous year. Brazil continues to have a strong presence in the international market, despite challenges such as the suspension of beef exports to China and price drops for hides. The market saw a recovery in the last quarter of the year.
• 00:30:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the speaker discusses the challenges faced by farmers due to market fluctuations and the impact on their mood and investment in nutrition. The year also marked a significant structural change in the company with the fusion of DSM and Firmin Nit, resulting in internal adjustments. Despite the current market situation, analysts project positive numbers for the agro sector in the coming years, with Brazil being a major producer of food grains and animal protein. The speaker emphasizes the importance of correctly fertilizing coconut plantations to ensure higher quality production. The analysis of coconut tree leaves in a lab helps determine its nutritional requirements. To collect the correct sample, one must identify the folia 9 and 14, which are located opposite each other on the tree. These folios are collected for analysis.
• 00:35:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the speaker discusses the process of collecting and analyzing both palm leaf and soil samples for agricultural assessment. To identify the "folha zero," or the unopened leaf, the speaker explains that it is the first leaf that has not yet opened and is commonly referred to as the flecha. After identifying the folha zero, the following leaves are numbered in sequence. Three folíolos, or sections, are collected from each side of the leaf and sent to the laboratory for analysis. The central part of the folio is taken, conditioned in paper bags, and labeled with the date of collection, the palm tree's name, and the location. Regarding soil analysis, the speaker emphasizes its importance in determining the palm tree's stage. Soil samples can be collected using a shovel or Enade, a tool given to everyone. The middle part of the soil sample is taken and placed in a bucket. The minimum recommended number of soil samples to be collected is 15 plants and four points in each plant, resulting in 60 sub-samples for a single soil sample. The sub-samples are mixed and approximately 500g is taken for laboratory analysis, which determines pH, organic matter, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, and hydrogen levels, among other things. The speaker also mentions a free program developed by Embrapa to help farmers accurately read and interpret the results and determine the correct dosage of fertilization. The Brazilian agricultural sector is focusing on increasing self-sufficiency in wheat production, as the country currently imports approximately 50% of the wheat used domestically. The speaker believes that Brazil can achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production within five years by expanding the cultivation area in the southern region, where high wheat productivity is observed.
• 00:40:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the focus is on the production of wheat in the Central Brazilian region, specifically in the Serrado area. Two wheat production systems are discussed: irrigated wheat and wheat planted after soybeans. The availability of land for wheat cultivation is increasing, contributing significantly to self-sufficiency in the region. The dry harvesting season for wheat, which is typically in June and July, is an advantage, as the wheat does not get rained on during harvest. Additionally, the use of biological treatments for wheat seeds, such as those offered by Matsuda, is becoming more popular due to the growing demand for environmental sustainability. Matsuda has introduced a new technology for encrusting forage seeds with biological nematicide and fungicide, which is free of microplastics, providing even more benefits to farmers. This technology, called Gold Greenstar, could also be useful for livestock farmers dealing with nematode issues. The use of biological products not only provides protection against nematodes and fungus but also enhances the growth of the pasture, resulting in increased dry matter yield and better regrowth. The project is a collaboration between Matsuda, Vitória Forte in the biotechnology sector, and Incotec, a specialist in seed technology.
• 00:45:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the discussion revolves around the use of biologically treated seeds to control nematodes and fungi in agriculture. The speakers highlight the importance of reducing nematode populations, as they negatively impact various crops, including forage crops. They introduce a new technology called GreenStar, which is based on encrusted seeds treated with a biological product instead of a chemical fungicide. This product not only controls fungi but also nematodes, including those that cause root rot. The advantage of this treatment is that it prevents the multiplication of weeds in the field, reducing the damage caused to soybean crops. The speakers also mention the absence of legislation in Brazil regarding the level of microplastics in seed treatment and how their company, Inocuca, is leading the process to make seed treatments free of microplastics. The focus of this technology is primarily on the agricultural market, as there is an environmental appeal to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in livestock farming. By using biologically treated seeds, farmers can contribute to the environment by reducing gas emissions and improving soil health, potentially leading to lower interest rates on agricultural loans. The speakers also mention plans to introduce other treatments, such as AOSP for nitrogen fixation and Pomona for phosphorus solubilization, specifically for the livestock market.
• 00:50:00 In this section of the "PROGRAMA REVISTA RURAL" YouTube video from March 12, 2023, the speaker discusses the benefits of using the Gold Green Master treatment, which involves a specific bacterium that protects plant roots. When the seed germinates, the bacteria begin to multiply and produce a microfilm around the root, creating a barrier and bactericidal effect that prevents nematodes from penetrating the root. The microfilm also releases metabolites that kill nematodes in the soil and control their population. This process not only prevents nematode damage to the root but also stimulates the plant's root system to develop more efficiently, leading to improved water and nutrient absorption and increased resistance to stress. The speaker also mentions that the use of biological nematicides is on the rise globally, with a growth rate of around 12%, and in Brazil, the increase in usage is at 65%.
• 00:55:00 In this section of the "Revista Rural" program from March 12, 2023, the hosts discuss the impact of climate change on agriculture in Latin America. They interview a leading agronomist who shares insights on how extreme weather events, such as droughts and heavy rains, are affecting crop yields and farm productivity. The expert also highlights the importance of sustainable farming practices, like agroforestry and conservation agriculture, in mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring food security for the region. Additionally, the hosts touch upon the role of technology, particularly precision agriculture and weather forecasting tools, in helping farmers adapt to the changing climate conditions.