April 10, 2007

Russia plants spring grains on 2.7 million hectares to Apr 9
 

Russia planted spring grains on 2.7 million hectares to Apr 9, which is 8.7 percent of the planned total area and 1.9 million hectares more than on the same date last year, the agriculture ministry announced Tuesday.

Full-scale planting of spring grains in Russia this year began five to 10 days earlier than normal because of the unusually warm spring.

The ministry said about 3 million tonnes more of feed grain would be required this year because of the increasing livestock population.

As a result, corn planted area will increase by 299,200 hectares from last year, rape will increase by 133,200 hectares and soy by 84,600 hectares.

The agriculture ministry said winter grains, planted on 14.2 million hectares, were on the whole in satisfactory condition.