Astarta-Kyiv planted 41k ha of sugar beet

Astarta-Kyiv farm units have successfully finished the sowing of spring crops. The total crop area sown in spring is about 170 thou. hectares.

The company's crop areas are as follows:

• 41 thou. ha of sugar beet;
• 41 thou. ha of sunflower;
• 67 thou. ha of corn;
• 20 thou. ha of soybean, and the rest under other crops (barley, oats, buckwheat, etc.).

"The structure of crop rotation reflects the existing market trends. Thus, the reduction of sugar beet plantings will allow the company to organize harvesting and processing of beets in the optimal terms, focusing on the cost-efficiency and quality of sugar. In addition to own beet production, Astarta will traditionally cooperate with farmers who supply its factories with sugar beets. The increase in areas under corn could also bring a good financial result against the backdrop of the continuing trend of price recovery for this crop," the message writes.

This spring sowing campaign was conducted in record short terms. All technological operations were carried out in the optimal time, which along with the appropriate level of soil moisture gave a quick start to plants growing. The company informs that it is progressing in improving the efficiency of field works through concentrating each culture sowing on the large plots, using GPS tracking not only for tractors but for all trailed aggregates, ect.

As of the end of May, winter and spring crops are mostly in good and excellent condition. The weather in the Eastern and Western production units contributes to their development. Currently, Astarta’s specialists are monitoring plants’ development and carrying out crop treatment.

This year, Astarta’s agronomists planted more than a thousand test plots of soybean, sunflower, sugar beet and other crops. The best varieties will be selected for the next year's sowing campaign.

Follow the progress of sowing campaign and stay up to date with the latest news in the project Sowing Online 2017/18.