Diary

Planting completed after a 10 day period of rain which was then followed by rising temperatures (up to 40C week 28^th May) and no rain until 19^th June. The crops suffered during the drought but have recovered well after the rains and the weather now is warm and showers which is ideal. Only the crops on the lighter soil have been badly set back but no doubt yields have generally been affected.

 

The actual cropping for 2007 is a follows:

 

                               Hectares

Winter wheat             3,065

Spring wheat             1,330

Spring barley            1,685

Sugar beet                1,535

Peas                             215

 

Trials:

Potatoes                         25

Navy beans                     5

Spring OSR                 120

 

TOTAL                       7,980

 

The spring OSR is predictably poor but we plan to trial winter OSR this autumn.

 

The sugar beet varies from excellent to average for the later drilled and low germination on some of the last drilled. The potatoes are now being irrigated and are responding well. If this years trial is successful, and at this time we have no reason to believe it will not, then 200ha will be planted next year with irrigation.

 

We plan to complete the last of the derelict land of the original 12,000ha block this summer, to be in full production in 2008, and commence working the new land, 15,000ha, next year and complete over 4-5 years.

 

This year we have increased the combine fleet to 8, added 2 additional self propelled sprayers and purchased 3 new 8430 John Deere tractors fitted with GPS.

 

Prices in Russia are reflecting the world market and also the worst drought in Ukraine for a 100 years. Class 4 wheat is worth 5,000RR (GBP 100) a tonne with good premiums for class 3 milling.

 

Brewers & Maltsters are also reviewing the contract price for malting barley in the light of lower supply and rising values.