GROUP AIR FLIGHTS (please see notes)

May 10   Sao Paolo – Piracicaba   ( - / - / D )
On arrival at Guarulhos International Airport in São Paulo, we will clear Immigration and Custom to meet our English-Speaking group Coordinator and Interpreter. We depart for Piracicaba (approx. 2 hours travel time) and will receive an overview of Brazilian Agribusiness by an International Professor and the Agricultural University of Sao Paulo State.
Following this we check in at the hotel followed by a Brazilian BBQ welcome dinner.
Overnight: Piracicaba

May 11   Piracicaba – Araras – Pirassununga   ( B / L / - )
After breakfast and checkout, we head towards Araras for our first visit of the day at a sugarcane mill and farm. Founded in 1947, an example of tradition, quality and simplicity. With an area of 19 thousand hectare planted with sugarcane, 1,9 million ton of processed sugarcane. Annually production of 122,000 tons of crystal sugar, 70 million liters of ethanol, molasse and bioenergy. This farm is focused on biofuels, energy, ethanol and sugar production.
Lunch will be provided before our next visit with Bayer Forward Farming. Founded in 2005 under family operation, they established conscious agricultural practices based on the principles of regenerative agriculture and believe this is the key to the future of agriculture. They cover an area of 1,200 hectares and produce soy, corn, sorghum, cassava and sugar cane production. Topics for the visit include:

• Seeds: The use of quality seeds with a trait technology profile adapted to local needs and protected by SeedGrowth treatments increases productivity and profitability.
• Integrated Weed Management: Identifying and mapping weed infestations and implementing integrated management programs limiting their proliferation and promoting a positive effect on crop yield.
• Integrated Pest and Disease Management: Monitoring plant pests and diseases and implementing good management practices preventing resistance to fungicides and insecticides and optimizing the use of crop protection products.
• Digital Agriculture: Using digital tools such as Climate FieldView and cultivating corn within the VAIora program that prescribes seed population density and nitrogen fertilizer for corn crops improving operational efficiency, optimizing input consumption, and maximizing production.
• Soil Health: Increasing organic matter and microbial activity through crop rotation, cover crops, and the use of organic fertilizers making up the regenerative agriculture system that favors soil health and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• PRO CARBONO: The biggest carbon program in Brazilian agriculture supporting farmers in implementing management and regenerative agriculture practices to achieve greater yield and increase the carbon stock in the soil.
• Good Agricultural Practices: Use of refuge practices, occupational health and safety, use of personal protective equipment, safe storage of inputs and empty container management protect workers and the environment’s health.
• Water Protection: Good agronomic practices reducing water run-off, erosion, and increasing soil infiltration protecting water resources. The adoption of precision farming reduces the volume of water used during operations.
• Modern Application Technology: Optimizing application through the maintenance and calibration of spraying equipment, the use of low-drift nozzles, and frequent training of machinery operators reduces the environmental impact of the operation.
• Biodiversity: Preservation of habitats and species through the conservation of legal reserves, riparian zones, bee hotels, and reforestation efforts ensure the conservation of biodiversity.
• Partnerships: Bayer Forward Farming combines knowledge, experience, expertise, and new technologies with partnerships to promote the successful and sustainable growth of agricultural activity.

Free evening for dinner
Overnight: Pirassununga region

May 12   Pirassununga – Descalvado – Ribeirao Preto   ( B / L / - )
Dairy, citrus beef will be the focus of our day as we depart for Descalvado. Our first stop is a family business operation founded in 1945. They directly employ over 200 people, farming on 1,200 hectares and operating in an intensive livestock farming model with dairy cattle, beef cattle and poultry. Among the 5 largest milk producers in Brazil, they have the largest registered herd of Dutch cow and are pioneers in the production of A2 milk. The farm has 3 important certifications: Green Seal, A2A2 Cow Certificate and Animal Welfare Seal. Dairy farming is the farm's primary activity, with over 5,000 animals and daily production of more than 65,000 liters of milk. The milk is supplied to the on-site dairy processing plant to produce yogurt, milk, and other products. A portion of the output is sold as raw milk to other companies.

• Beef Cattle Farming: In the areas of this farm with more challenging topography, the company carries out the full cycle—breeding, rearing, and finishing—using a feedlot system for beef cattle. The farm's second-largest activity is citrus farming, covering 600 hectares of irrigated land. The fruit is supplied to juice processing plants, and the resulting juice is entirely exported.
• Corn: With the exception of soybeans, all other forage crops grown on the property are intended exclusively for feeding the farm's own animals. Corn silage forms the basis of their diets.
• Oats: They grow irrigated winter forage crops to make the most of agricultural land, totaling four plantings per year.
• Tifton and Sorghum: In the summer, they plant Tifton and sorghum. These, along with oats, complement the primary forage crop, which is corn silage.

After lunch we tour a beef cattle farm which was founded in 2020 with a heard of Nelore cattle. From breeding and fattening, they focus on the selection and genetic improvement of this Zebu breed. They began marketing elite purebred (ABCZ-certified) calves, breeding females, and bulls. They have smaller operations dedicated to organic egg production and the cultivation of eucalyptus and sugarcane—all with two fundamental priorities: animal welfare and environmental preservation.
We continue to Ribeirao Preto for a free evening.
Overnight: Ribeirao Preto

May 13   Ribierao Preto – Franca – Barretos   ( B / L / - )
A trip to Brazil would not be complete without exploring their coffee production which we learn more about today. This company, founded in 1984, produces specialty coffee with sustainable management and production. We will tree cultivation, harvesting, sun drying patios, industrialization and commercialization. They are a brilliant example of a labor social program. They are the first farm in São Paulo State to make all export process aiming at the best certifications.
Lunch will be served in a local restaurant before we head to Barretos, which is known as the “Brazilian Texas”, a region focused on beef cattle production.
Dinner on our own.
Overnight: Barretos

May 14   Barretos – Colina – Holambra   ( B / L / - )
Today we visits a diversified farm which houses beef cattle production, a feedlot, rubber trees, sugarcane and grains. With more than 50 years of tradition they aim for high-performance agriculture and responsible beef cattle farming. The tour focuses on two distinct fronts: Agropecuária 3i (precision agriculture and beef cattle farming), and their decades of tradition in the production of sugarcane, grains, and rubber trees. The union of these operations today forms a more complete and diversified company, ready for the challenges of global agriculture.
Lunch will be served after the visit on our way to the Holambra region where we will overnight.
Dinner on our own.
Overnight: Holambra region

May 15   Holambra - Sao Paolo – Home   ( B / L / - )
Holambra is the national capitol of flowers, located in the interior of the Sao Paolo region, famous for it’s Dutch heritage. The region produces most of Brazil’s flowers. Here we will visit a flower farm (alternative options is a Horti fruit farm).
After lunch we begin the drive back to Sao Paolo to catch our flight back to the States.

GROUP AIR FLIGHTS (please see notes)