Favorable weather conditions this autumn in most parts of Europe ensure a good start to winter cereals. Sowing has been slightly delayed in some places, but in general the seed has so far been put into the ground on time and under favorable conditions.
According to the European MARS Bulletin In October, the sowing of winter grains proceeds without any significant obstacles. The sowing campaign has started under favorable conditions throughout Europe. In the north of Europe, growers started sowing slightly later due to a delay in the harvest of summer crops. However, conditions in September were favorable.
In the Baltic States the job was completed at the end of September. Sowing took place in an optimal period under favorable conditions, which benefits the emergence. The same applies to Sweden and Denmark, where a dry September and rainfall in October give the green signal. In Finland the delayed start could be made up and the turnout was satisfactory. A similar picture can be seen in Ireland, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Slight delay in Benelux
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg experienced a relatively warm and sunny September and wet conditions in the first half of October. This had varying consequences for the sowing of winter grains. On the loam and clay soils, the rain was more than welcome to soften the hard and dry soils.
It did cause some delays in sowing work, but compared to previous years it should not be mentioned. In recent years, rainfall has made it difficult to sow winter grain. In 2020, a relatively warm start to the winter also ensured that the grain crops almost had not been hardened. The effect of this was variable, but in general the grains came well through the winter.
Favorable starting position
The coming months will reveal how the cards have been shuffled this year. It is clear that the starting position is a lot better. Sowing is also taking place under good conditions in France and Poland and progress is in line with the five-year average. In Poland, lower temperatures in October can have a negative effect on late-sown wheat.
In other Eastern European countries, sowing conditions were variable, resulting in lower emergence in some places. The peak has yet to come in the south of Europe, but there too the weather usually ensures good soil conditions and favorable sowing conditions.
Expansion of the area?
Given the high wheat price, expansion of the European wheat area is obvious. Although this certainly does not apply to all countries in Europe. In the Black Sea region cultivation uncertainties put a brake on the acreage. There is a scarcity of available seed in Western Europe. However, traders do not expect this to result in shortages and are taking this into account area expansion.