Ukraine. Active growth of winter grains even stopped

Crop condition:

Air temperatures slightly decreased on November 11-19 due to an intrusion of cold air from northern Europe. No precipitation was seen on November 11-19. Towards November 10, a drop in average air temperatures to below +5ºC slowed active growth of winter grains and even stopped it on November 18.

Such conditions are favorable for winter hardening of winter crops. Winter crops are rated fair to good. Farmers are finishing harvest of grains and pulses and planting of winter grains, UkrAgroConsult reports.

Moisture supply:

- As of November 10, the amounts of effective 0-20 cm soil moisture available to winter crops in most of Odesa, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk regions and in single areas of Kharkiv region were poor (2-10 mm) and insufficient (12-18 mm);

- In northern parts of Odesa region, the topsoil was completely dry. Topsoil moisture in Chernivtsi, Rivne, Kirovohrad, Cherkasy regions and in single areas of  Dnipropetrovsk region was sufficient and optimal for winter crops (21-39 mm).

Weather forecast for November 24-28:

- 2-5 mm of precipitation is expected in the western regions, while the rest of the country will likely receive 5-15 mm;

- Air temperatures will be +5 …+7°C in the daytime, -1…-3°C at night in the West; 0…+2°C in the daytime, -1…-3°C at night in the North; 0…+2°C in the daytime, -3…-5°C at night in the East; +2 …+4°C in the daytime, -1…-3°C at night in Central Ukraine; +3 …+5°C in the daytime, 0…-2°C at night in the South.