Start of the project and investment
The investment and acquisition of the capital to carry out the project, is carried out in the month of December before the year of the cultivation.
To make an agave plantation, which will be used to make tequila, must be within the area with Denomination of Origin tequila (DOT).
In the state of Michoacán, one of the municipalities protected by the DOT is Vista Hermosa de Negrete, which we selected to make the plantations.
In each parcel that we select prior to cultivation, we legally protect ourselves through a lease before a notary public, and it is done for 6 years, which is the average of optimum growth to reach the expected productivity at the time of the harvest of the agave.
The crops will be made in plots that have climate and soil in good conditions of temperature for the development of the plant, between 15 °c to 25 ° during the day and 10 to 15 °c by night.
STAGE ONE
The investment and acquisition of the capital to carry out the project, is carried out in the month of December before the year of the cultivation.
STAGE TWO
The preparation of the terrain (parcel) is carried out between February and March, including fieldwork and adjustments of the plot, then the marking (stroke) of the furrows where the agave plant is placed is made. These activities are carried out for the establishment of the tillers and depends on the conditions of the terrain, the degree of mechanization and the production system, amongst others.
STAGE THREE
It is advisable to use tillers of healthy plants, without problems of diseases like the wilting of the agave, the rot of the bud, the clove of the agave or some other. The tillers of young plantations (3 to 5 years) and with 1.5 to 3.0 kilograms of weight are the best; The heaviest tillers are developed faster, consequently in shorter time can reach maturity.
STAGE FOUR
In order to reduce the risk of transmitting pests and diseases through the tillers, prior to planting, they will be treated with a mixture of fungicide and bactericide insecticides. The start of the tillers is carried out with a barreton or metal bar, by means of which the rhizome that joins the tiller with the mother plant is cut.
STAGE FIVE
The planting period will be in the month of April to June, to take advantage of the whole cycle of rainfall and to facilitate the establishment of the plants.
STAGE SIX
Later than one year after the plantation is done, there will be reseeding. Tillers will be used of greater size and weight than those used at the beginning of the project, so that its development is as similar to those used initially.
STAGE SEVEN
During its cycle the cultivation is fertilized during the 6 years, to promote the development of tillers and of leaves. A mixture of basic fertilization is applied from the second to the fifth year, a mixture of nitrate of potassium and of Urea will be applied to each one of the plants.
STAGE EIGHT
To eliminate parts damaged by diseases or insects among other benefits. It is eliminated with field tools the apex of the leaves, and rhizomes at the time of the start of the Tillers, later also when the plant is approximately 6 years old.
STAGE NINE
The main weeds that are associated with the agave in Michoacán are very diverse, and depend mainly on the previous use of the plot and the land where the crop is established. Chemical herbicides are used to control the weeds, and work crews to perform cleaning jobs.
STAGE TEN
The agave plant is separated from the root to the level of the stem neck, and the leaves are removed by a metal bar. The presence of floral scape or quiote is an indicator of maturity of the plant, to determine that it meets the best conditions for the elaboration of tequila. Commonly, the agave reaches maturity between 6 and 7 years, although it can take up to 8 years. Since plantations do not ripen evenly, entresacas are practiced on plants. This is most suitable for the industry because it helps with the maturity and with the sale of the agaves.
END OF PROJECT
The agave pineapples are hauled to vehicles, commonly trailers or trucks, where they are allocated according to size.The trucks are large enough and resistant to withstand any amounts of weight.
