A report prepared by the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (Inta) estimates that, for every hectare that soybeans are harvested in Argentina, approximately 142 kilos of oilseed grains are lost.
That, multiplied by 16.7 million hectares, means about 2.3 million tons that remain in the middle of the stubble and do not become part of the exportable balance.
At a value of the ton in the international market that exceeds 550 dollars per ton, it means a loss of approximately 1,300 million dollars.
If the estimated losses for corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, and sunflower are added, the inefficiency at harvest costs the country and producers a total of $ 2.4 billion.
In any case, Inta recognizes that it is not possible to reduce this negative balance to zero. But with some adjustments at the time of harvest, it would be possible to reduce it by 20 percent, which in the case of soybeans would mean recovering 258 million dollars, with a loss limit that should not exceed 75 kilos per hectare.
Accounting for all the crops mentioned, the potential to be recovered would be $ 471.8 million.
The Inta document also emphasizes that continuing with these inefficiencies means incurring significant economic losses for the producer.
Taking into account a national average yield of 33 quintals per hectare and with adequate management regarding planting quality, fertilization and crop health, losing 142 kilos per hectare today means that the net margin is adjusted by 25 percent: in Instead of having 5.7 quintals per hectare left to the producer, he has 4.3 quintals left.
WORKING DAY
These data will be some of those that will be analyzed next Tuesday, at 6:00 p.m., in the Virtual Soybean Harvest Day organized by Inta.
All companies that manufacture combine harvesters in Argentina will participate in it and field tests carried out with the Case IH 7150, Massey Ferguson 9895, Metalfor 2635, New Holland CR 7.90, John Deere S780, Claas Lexion 7600 MTS and Vassalli V770 models will be shown. that will work with the necessary regulation to achieve loss levels of less than 40 kilos per hectare.
According to the Inta technicians, increasing harvesting efficiency has a “zero” cost and is easier to achieve today, due to the fact that the combine fleet is better in quantity and quality.
For this reason, throughout the day it will be shown how the heads, the threshing, separation and cleaning systems must be properly regulated; automation systems and precision agriculture equipment; and the stubble and buoyancy distribution systems that each equipment has.
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