Due to the drought observed in Ukraine, autumn winter crops have already been partially lost, at the same time, the prolonged lack of precipitation intensifies the pace of the harvesting campaign and contributes to high quality corn grain, according to the analytical cooperative “Pusk”, established within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Rada (VAR).
“The forecast model does not show precipitation in Ukraine in the near future. Therefore, the moisture content of corn grain remains low, averaging 17-20%, while in the past season it was 30-35%. This will help reduce the cost of corn grain, as one drying cycle is enough for the harvested crop,” analysts said.
They noted that in early October, agrarians will intensify the collection of corn, because they will complete the harvesting of sunflower and soybeans.
At the same time, it is noted that the shelling of ports in Odessa and Danube region hinders the export of corn. At the same time, this product is in demand from China exclusively on CIF basis with delivery in October-December at a conditional price of $250/ton.
“On all bases weekly price tags for Ukrainian corn lose 3-5$/ton. The supply of its grain is high, but logistical problems are and will continue to be a factor in the fall of prices, especially in the deployment of the harvesting campaign”, – explained in the CAP and added that in a week we can expect the following level of prices for 1 ton of corn: SRT river ports – 140-150$, DAP border – 145-155$.
Agrarians in all regions except Transcarpathia have sown 1155 thousand hectares of winter crops, of which 905.9 thousand hectares are allocated for winter rape and 249 thousand hectares for winter grains, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reports.
According to the report, 228.6 thou hectares are already under winter wheat, 10.8 thou hectares under winter barley, and 9.5 thou hectares under winter rye.
Over the previous week, 251 thou hectares were planted with winter rape, and 204 thou hectares with winter grain.
In addition, it is reported that farmers of Volyn, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil, Chernivtsi regions have completed sowing of winter rape.
Most of the winter grains were sown in Sumy region – 25.9 thousand hectares, which is 50% of the forecast, winter rapeseed – in Dnipropetrovs’k region, 93.4 thousand hectares (74.4% of the forecast).
As reported with reference to the survey conducted by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the vast majority of farmers do not plan to significantly change the area under winter crops in 2024 compared to the previous season.
Agrarians of all regions of Ukraine have started sowing winter crops for grain, as well as actively sowing rape. As of early September, 699.7 thousand hectares of winter crops have already been sown, including 654.9 thousand hectares of rape and 44.8 thousand hectares of grain, the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food reported.
According to the report, winter wheat has already been sown on 42.5 thousand hectares, winter barley on 1.2 thousand hectares, winter rye – 1.1 thousand hectares.
According to the ministry, due to favorable weather conditions sowing of rape has already been completed in Volyn, Poltava, Sumy and Ternopil regions. The largest areas under winter rape are now in Ternopil (72.5 thousand hectares), Vinnitsa (67.2 thousand hectares) and Kirovograd (59.4 thousand hectares) regions.
As reported, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the vast majority of agrarians do not plan to significantly change the sowing areas under winter crops in 2024 compared to last season.
Agroholding “Continental Farmers Group” began sowing winter crops for the harvest of 2024, for which it plans to allocate 97.8 thousand hectares, reported the press service of the agricultural holding.
According to the report, Continental is traditionally the first to sow winter rape, for which 34.8 thousand hectares will be allocated. Weather conditions favor sowing work: thanks to precipitation in the soil is enough moisture.
“We apply different production technologies according to the type of seeders we have. These include direct seeding immediately after harvesting wheat and barley with Horsch Focus seeders, and traditional continuous seeding. We also plan to use precision seeders with a row spacing of 35 cm,” said Konstantin Shityuk, Operations Director of Continental Farmers Group.
According to him, sowing of winter rape began in accordance with the planned dates. The company is fully provided with seeds, mineral fertilizers, protection products and fuel and lubricants.
Agroholding intends to complete sowing of rape by August 20, after which it will start sowing of winter wheat and barley, for which 49.7 thousand hectares and 13.1 thousand hectares will be allocated respectively.
The pace of sowing winter wheat and barley will depend on the speed of harvesting the precursor crops. In the regions where Continental operates, the vegetation of spring crops (soybeans, sunflowers, corn) will be prolonged due to delays in development. The reason for this is weather conditions and rather late sowing dates, explained the agroholding.
In addition, the early grain harvest continues on Continental’s fields, which has been harvested from 65% of the planned areas.
“Winter barley threshing is fully completed, with a net yield of 6.39 tons per hectare, which is higher than planned. Winter rape harvest is nearing completion. The net yield of the crop is also higher than planned and is 3.74 tons per hectare”, – stated in the agroholding.
Mriya Agroholding and CFG, united under the name Continental Farmers Group, have been operating as a single business since November 2018, when Mriya made a deal with international investor Salic UK on the sale of assets.
Salic was founded in 2012. Its sole shareholder is the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which invests in agricultural and livestock products.
As of December 2022, up to 65% of winter crops are in good to excellent condition, while the condition of the remaining 30-35% will depend on weather conditions during the winter.
According to the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy on Friday, citing data from the Ukrhydrometcenter, the weather factor has not affected the condition of the crops this season.
“According to a visual assessment, on 65% (in 2021 – 56%) of the examined fields the plants entered the winter in good and excellent condition, on 28% (35%) of the areas the condition of plants was assessed as satisfactory. In 7% (9%) of the areas the plants were underdeveloped (did not reach the phase of development safe for overwintering). The majority of such crops (from 7% to 28%) are in Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa and Lviv regions”, – Ministry reports.
According to the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, the Ukrhydrometeocenter conducted a study of productive moisture reserves of arable soil layer under winter crops on October 28-30. At the majority of sown areas reserves of moisture were optimal (21-40 mm), in some areas of eastern, western and northern regions, the soil layer was overwatered (more than 40 mm of productive moisture). At the same time in southern and in some areas of central regions moistening of arable layer of soil was insufficient for the end of autumn (in some places less than 10 mm of productive moisture), the most such areas were in Odessa region.
Also according to agrometeorological surveys of winter crops, in the second half of November, 30-40% of areas plants reached mass tillering, which is favorable for overwintering. On the remaining areas formation of the 3rd leaf and foliage was noted. Plant height varied from 10 to 24 cm with an average of 250-510 plants per m2 and 600-670 plants on the best plots. Bushiness was formed in the range of 1.6-2.8 stems per plant.
As reported, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine said that Ukraine will try to compensate for the smaller areas under winter crops this season by increasing the area under spring crops next year.
“This year winter grain crops were sown on 4.8 million hectares in the controlled territories. This is about 40% less than last year. We expect to sow more spring spring crops to compensate. But it is clear that the large mine contamination of fields, the factor of uncertainty and constant attacks of the enemy will have an impact on the quantitative indicators of our harvest next year. This is a problem that will have to be solved,” the prime minister said.
He stressed that the country’s government is working to attract international support, which should have a positive impact on next year’s gross harvest. Thus, the UN agricultural organization (FAO) has already agreed to provide the country with seed, which will increase the total area of spring crops sown in 2023 by 30%. For comparison, Ukraine during the sowing season 2022 planted 14.16 million hectares of main crops, or 83.7% of the 2021 indicators of 16.92 million hectares.
As of September 20, Ukrainian agricultural producers sowed the main winter crops on an area of 411 thousand hectares (9% of the forecast of 4.56 million hectares), 0.25 million hectares were sown over the past week, according to the website of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food on Tuesday.
In particular, wheat was sown on 9% of the planned area, or 364 thousand hectares (+207 thousand hectares for the week of September 13-20), barley – 32 thousand hectares (+25 thousand hectares, 5% of the area), rye – 15.3 thousand hectares (+10 thousand hectares, 18% of the area).
According to the ministry, the most intensive sowing of winter grains is carried out in the Ternopil region, where 29.2 thousand hectares have already been sown, or 20% of the forecast.
In addition, agrarians from 13 regions of Ukraine have fully completed the sowing of winter rapeseed, by September 20 it was sown on 98% of the planned areas – 948 thousand hectares (+107 thousand hectares per week).
As reported, in 2021, Ukraine allocated 8.87 million hectares for winter crops, including 6.66 million hectares for wheat, 1.02 million hectares for barley, 160.6 thousand hectares for rye, and 1.03 for rapeseed. million ha.
