Rapid emergence and good crop status of winter cereals

Continued good autumn weather in most parts of Europe has resulted in favorable conditions for arable farming in the past period. Where necessary, it was possible to catch up with the harvest of the summer crops (due to rain in October). The sowing of winter cereals also went smoothly due to the favorable weather. It ensures a good turnout and early development, as can be read in the November edition of the Mars Bulletin of the European Commission.

Increased disease pressure
Earlier it appeared that the sowing campaign throughout Europe well off the starting blocks used to be. The campaign has now been completed in most of Central and Northern Europe. In France, Germany and the Benelux, sowing work was almost over at the beginning of November. In the Netherlands and Belgium, heavy rainfall was sometimes an obstacle, but there were sufficient dry periods to get the winter grains into the ground in time. The mild autumn in most European countries does lead to increased disease pressure, so that requires some extra attention from growers.

A number of countries in Eastern Europe are an exception to the favorable conditions. Growers in countries such as the Czech Republic, Eastern Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Russia are plagued by drought. In some cases, this caused delays in the sowing campaign and the emergence of the crop. In general, there is sufficient turnout, but it is possible that the harvest will be a bit lower as a result. That would not be unfavorable since the acreage due to the high wheat price a few percent is expected to increase.

Soil needs more moisture
The winter cereal sowing campaign will be finalized in the coming weeks in southern Europe. Here, too, there is a shortage of moisture in the soil in some places. In Spain and Portugal, for example, there has been rain in late October and early November. Enough to sow and germinate, but more is needed for a good harvest.