Ukrainian winter crops are lacking moisture

Due to insufficient moisture in practically all regions of Ukraine during the sowing period for winter wheat, a rather complicated situation has arisen concerning winter crop sowings. According to experts cited by the press service of Tekom Agro Group, despite the absence of severe frosts and snow, the soil is cold, and the root system is not fully providing plants with nutrients. This raises the urgent issue of fertilizing winter crops.  

Specialists also note that due to the warm winter, almost all pests, diseases, and disease-causing agents will overwinter alongside wheat and barley. Therefore, it may be necessary to begin the application of essential chemical preparations somewhat earlier. However, it should be taken into account that this spring might be cool and prolonged, which will affect the development of winter crops as well as the development of their diseases and pests. At the same time, an abnormally warm winter may lead to an early start of the sowing season. Although January was characterized by warm and humid weather, this did not result in significant changes in the overwintering of winter crops. However, further warm weather may lead to earlier spring activities for agricultural producers. 

It is worth reminding that, according to the forecast of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, in 2025 the total area of agricultural crop sowing will exceed 23 million hectares. Of these, more than 11 million hectares will be sown with grain, which will account for 48.1% of the total sowing area. 

As previously reported, the current calendar winter in Ukraine is the warmest in the last 20 years. This information was released by the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center. According to analysts, during the first two decades of January, the average air temperature in Ukraine exceeded the norm by an average of 4.2°C. Maximum air temperatures reached +10-15°C, and in the south, up to +16-18°C. Additionally, it was also warm in the second half of December. In fact, such a prolonged and high positive temperature anomaly as this current calendar winter has only been observed in 2005.  

The current temperature regime has contributed to a slow accumulation of active heat, which has been insufficient for the full restoration of vegetation. Moreover, simultaneously, growth processes and the corresponding consumption of carbohydrates, which were accumulated in sufficient quantities in the tillering nodes of plants in autumn, reduced the frost resistance of the plants. Therefore, in the event of a sharp and prolonged cold spell, overwintering could become more complicated, especially in late sowings. However, the abnormally warm weather observed in Ukraine in mid-January may lead to an early start of spring activities for agricultural producers if this trend continues. According to specialists, under favorable conditions, when there are no severe frosts and the soil receives enough moisture, periods for the beginning of sowing may appear as early as February.