On August 27, we began with the sowing period with block G (in yellow). Our objective for the cycle is to sow our so called “base” surface of 1,600 ha and the production is dedicated 100% to IRGA 424 cultivation. We choose not to extend our planted surface this cycle given market outlooks, especially for Brazil (Brazil plans to continue to reduce its imports by protecting its internal market; Paraguay production can be viewed as an adjustment variable for Brazil needs).

Timing and good seeds are key in this stage:  We are in the optimal sowing period for our region which will help to produce a fast growing, uniform crop that will have higher yields and better competition against weeds and other pests. The seeds used are all certified one as they lead to lower seeding rates, higher crop emergence, reduced replanting, more uniform plant stands, and more vigorous early crop growth. Vigorous growth in early stages reduces weed problems and increases crop resistance to insect pests and diseases. All of these factors contribute to higher yields and more productivity in the farm.

Land preparations of the fields have been completed. This cycle, we planned to sow over 1,500 ha with rice. Rice cropping requires adequate land preparation. Operations include land clearing, weeding, pre-irrigation, plowing and levelling.

The main objective of land preparation is to create a favourable environment for the rice plants to germinate and grow. Adequate land preparation will help to:

1/ improve soil structure (better ventilation, permeability, and loosening of the root zone) to make root penetration easier, and field topography in order to facilitate irrigation and drainage,

2/ distribute weeds and crop residues evenly over the field and incorporate them into the soil,

3/ obtain good recovery of fertilizer nutrients, and control weeds.

We are also testing new rock protections inside the main drainage. Those protections were built during the maintenance period of the season. Seeds are waiting to be sowed.

The secret agreement signed on May 24, 2019 between Paraguay and Brazil regarding Itaipu hydroelectric power station (one of the most powerful in the world) has hit the conservative government of the Paraguayan Mario Abdo Benitez.

The deal became only public by end of July. In less than 24 hours, the foreign minister and some other Paraguayan senior officials were forced to resign after learning that the terms of renegotiation of the Itaipu plant agreement benefit only Brazil. The deal would increase costs for Paraguay by more than USD 200 million.

Paraguay’s Senate rejected on July 29 the agreement and instructed the Executive Branch to handle all negotiations with Brazil related to Itaipu on the basis of transparency.

Brazil’s president came to rescue his ally: Bolsonaro sees Abdo as an ideological ally and knows any future government of Paraguay is unlikely to be as close to his government as the current one. A Liberal Party interim government would take a harder approach to the Itaipu negotiations and many other bilateral and multilateral issues facing the two countries. Brazil announced on August 1^st the cancellation of the deal and offers a new negotiation as a way to help Abdo to save face.

The Colorado party members withdrew their support for the impeachment motion that failed. President Abdo has been cautioned by the Paraguayan Parliament not to make the same mistakes and a Bicameral Investigative Congressional Commission has also been created to find out exactly what happened and why.

Flooding from torrential rains are behind us now at the farm. Over the first 20 days of May, we registered 600 mm of rains while the annual historical average is 2,040 mm. Soils were completely saturated with water. The good news is that the irrigation system channeled the excess water and drained most of the soil quickly.

A month ago, the level of the water at the main pumping station was up to the hand of Lucio, our farm manger.

Due to the velocity and pressure of the water, we had to replace some concrete pipes of internal roads by others we had in stock.

The roof of the master house of the farm, which was not of the most recent, was also affected and we had to replace it as you can see.

In some secondary drainage channels, we are consolidating inclination and wall thickness as part of the ongoing maintenance but we have before to dry the excess water to allow the access to machines.

This period of the year is always dedicated to maintenance, and channels as well as the reservoir should be almost empty which is not the case is as you can see. Overall general maintenance is delayed and remains affected due to this excess water but we will make it.

As harvest was over and production stored in our silos, we have no damage on production to report contrary to other producers (some neighbours had not completed their harvest when the flood started). For those who stored their production in silo bags, situation is also complicated as production was lost or damaged. Our silos provide convenience, safety and security to our production. Overall, certain people might consider us lucky as other activities (soybean, corn, cattle, etc) are more heavily impacted by the situation.

Now, we have restarted to deliver our paddy rice to our clients to fulfill our contracts. Over 5,000 tons have been delivered and 4,000 tons remains to be sold; local rice prices have increase in comparison with the latest cycle (between $160 and $165 per ton to start) but Brazilian market is slow and down in term of price due to Real currency.

Next step, we are soon going to start with land preparation of the fields. Land preparation is important to ensure that the rice field is ready for planting. A well-prepared field controls weeds, recycles plant nutrients, and provides a suitable soil surface for direct seeding.