October rains improve winter crop conditions even in Ukraine’s driest regions

Weather conditions for the development of winter crops in Ukraine improved significantly at the end of October — even in traditionally arid regions, according to the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center.

Heavy rains that swept across most of the country during the third ten-day period of October have substantially replenished soil moisture reserves. As of October 31, soil moisture levels across the majority of farmland are now assessed as adequate or optimal.

Experts note particularly strong improvements in typically dry regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Odesa. The October rainfall has markedly enhanced moisture conditions there, allowing winter crops to enter their vegetation phase on time.

Early-sown winter wheat fields are already showing signs of tillering, while later plantings are in stages of germination, emergence, and third-leaf formation.

Meanwhile, later sowings have lacked sufficient warmth for optimal growth. However, meteorologists expect temperatures to rise in early November, with average daily values supporting faster vegetation development across Ukraine. In the country’s southern regions, this process is projected to be even quicker, positively affecting the phase development of winter crops.

Tags: Ukraine, crop condition