Ukraine Fall Sown Grains Stunted by Drought

October 24, 2011

Ukraine prospects for winter wheat and rapeseed are damaged by poor fall establishment.   Field moisture  for planting was poor from  hot,  dry weather.   Drought breaking rainfall finally developed in October, improving field moisture,  but sharply colder temperatures quickly followed,  stifling growth and development.

Sparse topgrowth is confirmed on a October satellite vegetation image.   The Ukraine Hydrometeorological Center last week claimed growers had planted 1.0 million hectares less of winter grains,  because of unfavorable conditions.  Moreover, 25-30% of crops may not survive the winter from poor establishment, the weather center said.

Prolonged drought reduced soil moisture in  winter wheat and rapeseed.  Planting typically begins in August and finishes in September.  Seeding was delayed by very dry field conditions. 

Drought breaking heavy rainfall came in October, but a  big swath of the winter wheat area missed out:

Recently, cold temperatures have slowed crop growth.  A hard freeze occurred last night and below-normal temperatures are expected to continue this week.