Second half of September was moderately warm with air temperature close to norm. Cyclone system, which arrived to Ukraine at the beginning of last week, went through all the territory of Ukraine and changed summer regime into autumn. Intensive rains were observed all over the country early in September.
In Polesye and Forest Steppe zones optimal rapeseed sowing terms have finished. But in Steppe zone they finished on September 25. Due to the lack of soil moisture this crop was sown at 63% of the forecasted area. Considering the experience of previous years, late sown rapeseed died during wintering, so farms do not risk sowing it in the dry soil after optimal terms. In the fields with satisfactory soil moisture content this crop, sown in the optimal terms, gave sprouts. Plants have formed one-two pairs of true leaves and before winter period such sowings can form 6-8 leaves, which will provide normal wintering. (UkrAgroConsult/Business World Magazine)