Production Systems and Technologies in Western Bahia

Large to very large farms using modern mechanical, chemical and biological technologies dominate the commercial agriculture of the cerrados. It is common for farms to exceed 5,000 ha (12,500 acres), and many farms cultivate more than 25,000 ha. (62,000 acres).

Agriculture is completely mechanized. Machinery and equipment used are similar or identical to that of large-scale grain agriculture in North America and Australia. Climate and soil characteristics favor uninterrupted field operations that are seldom delayed by weather.

On dryland farms, planting is done after the rains begin in October and November, and harvesting starts at the beginning of the dry season in March and April. Planting and harvesting take place anytime during the year on irrigated farms. Control measures for cotton boll weevil are the only restriction to the planting and harvesting on irrigated land. Otherwise, crops on irrigated farms can be planted on the economic (price cycle) calendar rather than the agronomic calendar

Soybean producers farming land opened for 3 years or more, and using recommended technologies, expect yields of 55 - 60 sacks or more per ha. During the last few years, many farms achieved yields of 70 sacks or more per hectare. Except for seed production, soybeans are rarely grown on irrigated land.

Corn yields on dryland farms range from 110 to 140 sacks per ha (105 to 130 Bu/A). Corn is a relatively new crop for Western Bahia and yields are low but increasing with new varieties and better soil fertility. Corn yields on irrigated farms range around 140 to 165 sacks/ha.

Dryland cotton yields on land cultivated for several years run between 235 to as high as 350 arrobas of seed cotton per ha (1,300 to 1,925 pounds/acre of lint cotton). Cotton is a new crop for Western Bahia and every year producers are learning more about how to produce it. Cotton yields on irrigated farms range around 400 arrobas of seed cotton/ha (4.4 bales/acre equivalent).

Coffee is also a new crop for Western Bahia. Produced under pivot irrigation, area coffee yields are the highest in the world. Quality is exceptionally good and several area growers are producing cafe fino -- specialty coffee which brings two to three times the market price of commodity coffee. See Coffee Farming for details on irrigated coffee production in Western Bahia.