Due to unfavorable weather during autumn 2015, planted area under winter grains and rapeseed decreased significantly that influenced on spring planting prospects and structure of production.
According to Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, planted area under winter crops totaled 7.8 mln ha, the lowest in last 5 years. APK-Inform preliminary estimates survived winter area at 7.3 mln ha.
APK-Inform carried polling of farmers to see the winter crop conditions and prospects at the beginning of spring planted campaign in Ukriane.
Winter grains
According to Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the country planted 701 mln ha with winter grains, down 13.4% on year. Southern and Central regions faced the most significant decline in area size (down about 20%). At the same time, several Western oblasts widened planted area. Farmers estimate the lowest level of winterkilling in Western and Eastern regions, while unfavorable weather in Southern, Northern and Central regions damaged crops more severe.
The majority of farmers in Central region pointed out that only 20% of seeding is in good condition, while 60% is in favorable condition and 15% - in unfavorable. Winterkilling is observed on 3-5% of planted area.
The lack of moisture during winter planting campaign caused poor quality of gains. Crops entered dormancy in weakened state that led to bad wintering. Moreover, about 30% of crops entered dormancy without forming bush. At the same time, favorable snow cover provided formation of necessary moisture supply that will favorable influence on crops vegetation during spring.
Farmers from Poltava oblast informed about generally favorable wintering. Due to sufficient winter moisture supply, seeds that did not sprang up during planting campaign started to come up. However, there is a problem with seeding inequality.
At the same time, number of market operators are more pessimistic pointing out rather unfavorable winter grains conditions. Seeding are thinned out and weak that probably will require some re-planting.
Farmers of Southern region informed that 70% of winter crops is in favorable condition and 15-20% - in unfavorable. Winterkilling is observed on 3-9% of territory.
Dry weather during planting campaign and vegetation period caused the damage. Crops entered dormancy in weakened state and not-thinned out due to lack of moisture. Market operators pointed out that by early December more than 20% of crops were not-thinned out despite rains during late autumn.
However, farmers informed about generally good wintering. At the same time, number of agrarians said that high temperatures during December-January harmed winter grains. Fields got ice cover that can lead to re-planting of more than 20% of territories.
In Northern region about 70% of winter crops is in favorable condition and 25% - in unfavorable.
Long dry autumn damaged winter crops. Lack of moisture negatively influenced formation of frost-resistance and roots of winter wheat and barley that led to unfavorable wintering. Farmers pointed out that winterkilling is observed on 2-7% of total planted area. Condition of crops can improve in case of favorable rains during spring. However, separate agrarian have concerns regarding possible re-planting.
Eastern region faced the similar situation. More than 80% of winter crops is in favorable condition due to lack of moisture during vegetation period. About 15-20% of winter grains is in unfavorable conditions in Ukrainian part of Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts, as crops entered winter in weakened state and only 50-60 % were thinned out. Several farms in Kharkov oblast informed that 30-40% of seeding sprouted in mid-late December that caused lop-sided development.
Farmers estimate winter crops condition as favorable to good. In case of warm March, wintering can be successful, while low temperatures can deteriorate crop conditions leading to higher re-planting.
Western region faced the best wintering. Farmers said that more than 70% of seeding is in good condition. Appropriate temperatures and moderate snow cover during winter positively influenced crops conditions. However, several farms of Ternopol and Rivne oblasts informed that unfavorable weather damaged winter crops and more than 50% is in favorable conditions.
Winter rapeseed
Situation with winter rapeseed is pessimistic. Dry weather forced number of farms to reduce planting area. Several market operators decided not to plant rapeseed at all. According to Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Ukrainian agrarians planted 655.2 thsd ha with rapeseed, down 26.5% on year.
Farmers of Central and Northern regions informed that more than 60% of rapeseed is in favorable condition. At the same time, many fields in Kiev, Poltava, Chernigov, Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk oblasts see thinned out sprouts. More than 20% of oilseed is in unfavorable condition due to bad weather during vegetation period. Moreover, lack of snow cover negatively influenced rapeseed development. Thus, market operators have concerns regarding possible re-planting of 20% on total area.
Farmers of Eastern and Southern regions informed that more than 40% of rapeseed are in unfavorable condition due to lack of rains during planting campaign. About 50% are in favorable conditions. Market operators from Zaporizhzhya, Nikolaev, Kharkov, Lugansk and Donetsk oblasts said that about 30% of territories under rapeseed should be re-planted. The situation can improve in case of appropriate temperatures and favorable rains during planting campaign.
Start of planting campaign
Southern region of Ukraine started spring planting campaign in the 3rd 10-days period of February this year. Farmers informed that appropriate temperature and sufficient moisture stimulate start of field works. Agrarians of Zaporizhzhya, Nikolaev, Odessa and Kherson oblasts were the first who started to plant spring barley and peas. They mentioned that plan to re-plant with barley and peas about 2-3% of lost winter area.
However, meteorologists say that the optimal sowing window for spring crops ended. They think that February “windows” were the most suitable for start of planting this year. Moreover, in case of warm spring with heavy winds, moisture can evaporate too fast that will damage crops if dry weather come.
Moreover, we need to remember about possible March frosts. Farmers may need to re-plant spring crops in case of significant temperature drop.
However, it is too early to talk about success of spring planting campaign or results of wintering now. Farmers pay all attention to March weather conditions.
Victoria Starodub
