Results of the spring crops planting campaign in Russia - planting in "hot" conditions

To date, the planting campaign of spring crops in Russia is almost completed. According to agricultural subjects of the Russian Federation, as of June 11, 2015, agrarians planted spring crops throughout the areas of 50.9 mln ha, or 98.2% of the forecast (in 2014 - 50.6 mln ha). At the same time, the weather conditions during the spring crops planting campaign were very complex. So, heavy rainfalls in March-April period of 2015 led to a significant delay of the planting campaign terms. The present article focuses on the major features of the spring crops planting campaign in the Russian Federation, as well as the current conditions of winter and spring crops areas.

Planting of spring crops, and the condition of sprouts

It should be noted that the spring crops planting campaign was held in rather difficult weather conditions. At the time of coming of agricultural machinery to the fields, agrarians of different regions informed about heavy rainfalls, snow and rain, etc. which prevented realization of crop planting works. Also, some market operators reported that there were no rains at all during the whole period of crops planting works. The beginning of crops planting works did not pass even, and not only depending on the region. Often agrarians from one oblast started spring crops planting works with a difference of 2-3 weeks. As a result, in the current year the delay of the planting campaign was at rather significant level.

Thus, most agrarians of the Southern region started planting spring crops in the second ten-day period of March. At the same time, some market operators noted that due to rather low daily temperatures and heavy rains, they were forced to shift beginning of the planting campaign to late March - early April. Most agricultural producers started planting late spring crops such as sunflower seed, soybeans and corn, in the second or third ten-day period of April 2015. Due to incessant precipitations, agrarians had to realize planting works in several stages. At the same time, a number of agrarians reported that sprouts of early grains were received late, due to the cold weather conditions.

However, it should be noted that not all operators of the Southern region were fortunate in facing rains. Some agrarians of Rostov oblast and Stavropol Krai informed that in the period of planting works the rains were short, and had a beneficial effect for appearing of sprouts.

According to most agrarians, early spring crops sprouts appeared throughout 95-100% of the planted areas. At the same time, as of the beginning of June the general condition of plants was estimated as good throughout 60-80% of the areas, and satisfactory - 40-20%. Also, late crops obtained sprouts throughout the whole planted areas. The plants were in good condition throughout 50-80% of the areas.

According to agrarians of the Central Black Earth region, the planting campaign of early spring crops was also realized with a large timing difference. So, some operators from Belgorod and Voronezh oblasts noted that they started crop planting works in the second ten-day period of March. At the same time, agrarians from other oblasts informed that their beginning of spring crops planting works occurred in the first or second ten-day period of April. Therefore, planting works of late crops were shifted, and started in the third ten-day period of March or second ten-day period of April.

During the planting campaign, the market operators reported that the weather conditions were quite unpredictable. In the beginning of planting works some oblasts faced rains and sleet. However, in mid-April many agricultural producers informed that there was observed a lack of moisture provision in the fields, especially in Oryol and Kursk oblasts.

As for the sprouts of spring crops, they appeared throughout almost 90-100% of the planted areas of the region. Spring crops were developing at various stages of growth, depending on the planting terms. And the market operators estimated their condition as good throughout 40-60% of the areas, and satisfactory - 60-40%. At the same time, agrarians of Oryol and Tambov oblasts reported that they expected for rainfalls in the nearest days, because the current lack of moisture in the soil have a negative impact on the crops development.

Also, the market operators of the Central region informed that during the planting campaign the weather conditions were very changeable. Agrarians started planting early and late spring crops in most oblasts of the region in the first ten-day period of April - first ten-day period of May. At the same time, agrarians reported that in the beginning of spring field works, it rained, sometimes with sleet. The weather conditions did not only delayed planting works, but also adversely affected the future sprouts appearance and development of spring crops. Due to the low air temperatures, sprouts appeared rather late.

At the same time, in the raions, where there were no rains during planting works, the situation was the opposite. Agrarians reported that the soil moisture content was not enough, and the rains would have been needed. Otherwise, agricultural producers feared that, despite getting of good sprouts, the deficit of adequate supply of soil moisture would adversely affect development of spring crops areas.

For example, in the second ten-day period of June 2015, agricultural producers reported that sprouts of spring crops appeared throughout 80-100% of the planted areas, and they were often in satisfactory condition. In addition, there were observed losses of spring crops throughout 5-10% of the areas only.

The planting campaigns of winter and spring crops were mainly similar for agrarians of the Volga region. Most market operators reported that in the beginning of the planting campaign, the soil moisture content was not enough. The dry autumn and winter with little snow did not contribute to accumulation of the required level of productive moisture.

Thus, the majority of market operators started planting early and late spring crops in the second ten-day period of April - second ten-day period of May. Also, in some oblasts of the region the precipitations of the first half of April 2015, prevented agrarians from realizing of the required planting works. On the one hand, the rains were quite useful because the moisture was absolutely necessary for good sprouting processes. On the other hand, the fact increased delaying of the planting terms.

At the same time, during the period of planting works the weather conditions somewhat changed. Due to quick warming processes, the moisture content, accumulated in the period of planting works, started rapidly evaporating. So, to date many market operators reported that in a number of oblasts, dry weather conditions developed, which affected the condition of spring crops sprouts.

According to many agrarians, sprouts of spring crops appeared throughout 80-100% of the areas. At the same time, agrarians provide various estimations on condition of the plants depending on the oblast. The majority of market operators reported that 50% of the sprouts were in good condition, 30% - satisfactory, and nearly 20% - poor.

To date, the spring crops planting campaign in the Urals and Western Siberia regions is only coming to its final stage. According to agrarians, in the Urals region agrarians started planting spring crops in the first or second ten-day period of April. In most cases, agrarians indicated that the planting campaign takes place in rather optimum conditions. At the same time, agrarians of Orenburg, Kurgan and Sverdlovsk oblasts often reported about some lack of moisture content in the soil, which may adversely affect for coming of sprouts and their development.

According to most market operators, the planting campaign of spring crops in the Western Siberia region started in the second or third ten-day period of May. The weather conditions were mostly favorable. However, some agricultural producers informed that after completion of the spring crops planting works the rains are necessary, to get good sprouting.

Condition of winter crops

As of the beginning of June, most agrarians gave different estimations of the condition of winter grain areas.

Thus, operators of the Southern region often informed that the planted areas of wheat and barley were in good condition throughout more than 80%. The wintering period of plants was successful, crop development passed according to the agricultural standards. It should be noted that not only more favorable weather conditions in the south of the country in the current year contributed to such situation, but also the fact that most agricultural producers applied spring additional fertilizing in time.

At the same time, agrarians of Rostov oblast and some market operators of Stavropol Krai reported that the condition of winter grain crops was rather satisfactory than good throughout most planted areas. After the winter period, the crops areas were sparse and weak. However, agrarians of southern oblasts did not inform on crops losses.

As for the planted areas of winter rapeseed, some market operators reported that they were often weakened, and in poor condition throughout 70-90% of the areas. Single agrarians informed about the losses of the oilseed throughout 40-50% of the planted areas.

Agricultural producers of the central part of the country, in particular the Central and Central Black Earth regions, also have different estimations on the condition of winter grain areas. Thus, the market operators of the Central region, namely Ryazan and Tula oblasts, informed that winter grains were in poor or even bad condition throughout 60-80% of the planted areas. At the same time, some agrarians reported about replanting of winter crops with spring crops, due to its losses.

Agrarians of the most oblasts of the Central Black Earth region reported on more favorable conditions for development of winter grain areas. The condition of plants was often rated as satisfactory throughout 70-90%, and good - 30-10%. It should be noted that according to agricultural producers, the situation could be more unfavorable, but the rains in mid-April had a favorable impact on sprouting processes.

At the same time, single market operators reported on the losses of winter crops. For example, agrarians of Tambov, Lipetsk and Oryol oblasts estimated the losses of crops at 10-25% of the planted areas.

The situation with the condition of winter crops in the Volga region was the most miserable. In the autumn, many agrarians cut the planted areas under winter grains due to lack of moisture content in the soil, but the winter did not provide any favorable effect on the crops. According to the market operators, the snow covering in winter was rather insufficient, which did not allow to winter crops to compensate the lack of moisture content. In addition, rains in Volgograd, Saratov and Ulyanovsk oblasts in April 2015 were rather low-scale. Therefore, many raions of the reporting oblasts lost long-awaited moisture reserves.

Thus, some agricultural households informed that the condition of winter grains was estimated as good throughout only 20-40% of the planted areas. The remaining 80-60% were often in poor condition, and in rare cases in satisfactory condition. In addition, in some households the losses of winter crops reached 20-50% of the planted areas. It should be noted that not all agricultural producers were able to realize replanting of winter crops with spring crops, due to lack of finances.

The market operators of the Urals region, in particular Orenburg and Chelyabinsk oblasts and the Republic of Bashkortostan, also reported that due to a lack of available moisture in the soil and the lack of a sufficient level of rains, winter grain crops were often in poor and satisfactory condition. Also, we should note that some agrarians of Orenburg oblasts reported on the losses of winter crops throughout the areas of 30-50%.

The spring crops planting campaign for Russian agrarians was held in quite difficult conditions. In addition, the condition of winter crops raises concerns. Many agricultural producers fear on worsening of the qualitative and quantitative indices of the future harvest. But despite a number of difficulties, Russian agrarians have every chance to get good harvest, which requires only a small favor of nature.

Irina Gritsaj, APK-Inform Agency