September 1 2003, 10:11

Russia: fieldwork progress Aug. 29

According to Ministry of Agriculture of Russian Federation, as of August 29, 2003 grain crops were harvested by the country's farmers from 17.4 million hectares, which is 41 percent of the total area to be harvested.

34.9 million tonnes of grain were collected with average yield 2.0 tonnes per hectare, which is by 0.42 tonne per hectare lower than last year.

Wheat by all categories of Russian grain producers was collected in the amount of 15.0 million tonnes at a yield of 2.11 tonnes per hectare.

Autumn ploughing and soil preparation for winter crops planting are in progress in the Russian farms. Autumn ploughing has been completed on 3.3 million hectares, soil preparation - on 12.8 million hectares, which is by 1.5 million hectares less than last year.

Winter crops have been planted on about 2.7 million hectares, which is by 900,000 hectares less than in the same period last year.