Agronomist: this year, the work in August is different, a lower crop yield is predicted

In the last month of summer, farms are at the height of work. Although the exact start of harvest varies from crop to crop, it is usually associated with the maturity of the earliest harvested winter canola and begins in late July, early August. However, before starting the work, it is necessary to properly plan it and evaluate the possible results of the harvest.

“Harvesters will soon go to the fields to help harvest the winter crops of rapeseed, rye, and wheat. In the middle of August we will harvest peas, in the second half of the month the sowing of winter rapeseed will begin: plowing, tilling and liming the soil, and just before September, the harvesting of summer crops – oats – will begin. Although we cannot predict the exact results, conversations with farmers allow us to generalize the trends that the prevailing drought and only episodic rains have supported the heat so far, so the harvest should be lower. Too high a temperature shortens the length of growth stages, which ultimately results in less cereal biomass. On the other hand, you shouldn’t give up, and thorough preparation for harvesting can significantly increase the possible results,” says Lande agronomist Guntis Laicans.

Harvest forecasts

Prolonged heat encourages representatives of the sector to admit that this season is not easy for crop farms.

“Preliminary data and conversations with farmers allow us to say that this year’s winter barley harvest on the market will fluctuate between 3.5-6 t/ha. Meanwhile, the amount of winter rapeseed harvest should be 2-3 t/ha on average. There is a possibility of a larger increase, but the oil content of the seeds should be lower due to spring frosts. The drought particularly affected the abundance of the winter rye and wheat harvest, which should decrease by 30-50 percent. In addition, there remains an important question about the quality of the grain: whether it will be food grain or feed grain. It cannot be ruled out that the ongoing drought will cause part of the grain to be stored, and the volume weight of the grain will be small. This is a particularly important factor that determines the quality of cereal products,” notes the agronomist.

However, observing the general trends of the European Union (EU) countries, the situation remains somewhat more positive. of the European Commission data, 2023-24 the total harvest of cereals and oil crops in the EU should increase by 5%, respectively. and 8 percent As a result, as well as the increasingly efficient transit of Ukrainian grain to markets outside the EU, it is likely that total grain imports should decrease.

How to achieve maximum effective results this summer?

As the agronomist notes, farmers should prepare for threshing in advance in August. Start with the cleaning of agricultural machinery, as well as upgrading the crop storage and drying infrastructure: for example, cleaning, refurbishing and disinfecting the storage towers. If necessary, repair them. Advance preparation will help to avoid rushing in the future and allow for more effective planning of upcoming work.

Attention should also be paid to assessing the maturity of crops and drawing up their harvesting schedule. After harvesting the crops, it is necessary to re-evaluate the condition of the crops and the plan for their further care.

“In August, soil analysis and fertilization deserve special attention – it is necessary to constantly monitor its condition. At such a time, the land is perhaps the most intensively cultivated, so its chemical properties change the most – it becomes acidic or alkaline, so it is necessary to carefully care for the worn-out soil. If the soil is acidic and low in calcium, the plants develop a smaller root system, resulting in poor nutrient uptake. For example, in the case of wheat, the optimal soil acidity would be pH 6.0-7.5, and for rapeseed – pH 5.5-6.5. However, if these indicators are lower, liming of the soil should be considered. Soil liming allows you to increase the pH of overly acidic soil and compensate for calcium deficiency. The soil should be fertilized with complex mineral fertilizers, reducing nitrogen and increasing doses of phosphorus and potassium. This will strengthen the plant root system, ensuring a better plant root system – as a result, the plants should winter better,” shares Guntis Laicans.

Press release