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November 10, 1999
SOIL MOISTURE FOR WINTER GRAINS IMPROVES IN RUSSIA, REMAINS TOO
DRY IN UKRAINE
Dryness prevailed in early October
throughout the prime winter-wheat region of the former Soviet
Union during winter-grain
planting and early establishment. Rainfall during mid-October replenished surface-soil
moisture in Russia, but conditions
remained dry in south-central Ukraine. Dryness intensified in
southern Ukraine into early November,
resulting in continued
unfavorable conditions for winter-crop establishment.
According to official sown-area data, 7.6 million hectares of
winter grains have been sown in Ukraine, against a target of 8.0
million. In Russia, a reported 14.4 million hectares have been
sown, against a target of 15.1 million. Winter-grains typically
comprise one-third of total Russian grain production and one-half
of total wheat production. In Ukraine, winter wheat
comprises virtually all of the total wheat production and over 50
percent of total grain output.
For more information, contact Mark Lindeman with the Production Estimates and Crop Assessment Division on (202) 720-0888.
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