Winter crops ripening accelerated for weather conditions
Contrasting temperature conditions in Ukraine during the last six weeks have been stressful for most agricultural crops, UkrAgroConsult writes.
"Throughout the whole territory, the crops first suffered from insufficient warmth and low night temperatures and then from extremely high air and soil temperatures in early June," the experts noted.
In this regard, according to them, winter grains ripening started in the southern, south-eastern and central regions in extremely early terms. The grain reached milky ripeness 10-15 days earlier than the average perennial indicators. In some areas of southern regions, wax ripeness of winter wheat grain was observed, which is nearly four weeks earlier than the average perennial indicators.
Infographic guide Ukrainian Agribusiness 2018/19
According to the report, hot weather was typical for more than half of the second decade of June, with rains of varying intensity, heavy downpours and thunderstorms in places.
Precipitation was observed throughout the territory, from minor to heavy, when in some areas half of the monthly norm fell during the day. Moistening of the meter layer of soil under winter cereal crops in most areas of the western, northern and central regions at the end of the first decade of June was optimal at 121-170 mm and excessive at 171-218 mm.
As a reminder, winter barley in Odesa region is yielding so far less than 1 t/ha. Winter wheat yield is rather poor as well. Rapeseed harvesting is soon to start.
The Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine is estimating the grain harvest 2020 at over 68 mln t vs. the previously announced forecast of 65-68 mln t.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of the Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine and grain market participants will be signed on July 1 to ensure the projected grain export volume in the 2020/21 season.
