November 24, 2009

Ukraine winter grains in good condition

Ukraine's agriculture ministry reported Monday (November 23) that winter grains were in good condition on 39.8 percent of the total winter grain-planted area for the 2010 harvest, with winter grains in satisfactory condition on 43.5 percent of the total planted area and winter grains in poor condition on 16.7 percent of the total planted area.

The ministry said winter grains sprouted on 96.8 percent of the total planted area, which this year amounts to 8 million hectares.

Winter wheat sprouted on 6.14 million hectares or 97 percent of the total winter wheat-planted area, out of which winter wheat was in good condition on 40.7 percent, satisfactory condition on 43.6 percent and poor condition on 15.7 percent.

The ministry reported earlier that winter grains suffered because of lack of rain in earlier autumn, but plentiful rains in October have improved the situation.