ASAP Agri releases results of its wheat crop tour

ASAP Agri completed a wheat crop tour that covered 8 regions of Ukraine and reported that crops look fairly uniform in central Ukraine.

"Wheat is in the flowering phase, there is still enough moisture, temperatures are moderate - ideal conditions for pollination and grain filling. Some farmers are treating fields against fusarium. There are risks of a decrease in protein due to excessive rains in May (up to 150 mm), but 1,000 grains will be heavy - the potential is good," analysts note.

However, in southern Ukraine, crop development is significantly different from the central regions. Wheat is already at the milky or even waxy stage, which clearly indicates the proximity of the harvest, ASAP Agri reports.

The situation in the Odessa region is not critical. Despite the lack of precipitation in the spring, autumn was successful for the formation of seedlings. Unripe wheat was found in many fields, which is a sign of frost. This means a yield loss of 10–20%. The greatest damage is caused by a combination of spring frosts and lack of moisture.

According to analysts, farmers plan to start harvesting wheat in 10-15 days. So, the harvest will officially start by June 25.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, a reduced number of grains in the ear was recorded due to spring frosts.

"Further east, the situation is much better. May rains helped stabilize plant development. The ear is better formed, the crops are more uniform. In the Kharkiv region, flowering is complete. Treatments against fungi and pests were carried out on time, the condition of the crops is good," the report says.
ASAP Agri's overall conclusion: All regions share a common problem: stand density is the main constraint on yield. The autumn and winter moisture deficits have prevented proper tillering, so even with good condition and grain filling, low spikelet numbers/m2 will be a limiting factor.

The crop tour was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the surveying company QSS Global and the support of the Flour Mills of Ukraine Union.