MARS assesses the weather conditions for cereal stocks as "fair" " The Agricultural Meteorological Institute of the European Commission (MARS) in its most recent edition assesses the status of winter crops as still satisfactory. The accumulated weather data from the months of February and March were used. The calculated values for the winter hardiness of European wheat range from completely untrained. A full winter hardiness was determined for the European part of Russia with the exception of the South and Ukraine. Almost completely, but not always nationwide, the wheat plants in Poland and East and South Germany are prepared for the sub-zero temperatures.A low to no frost hardiness was found for northwestern Germany, France, Spain and Italy. It should be noted that the recent cold spell has not been included in the calculations for winter hardiness. Therefore, the judgments could shift again. In addition, it should be noted that on low snow-covered fields, the icy and cold wind can cause dehydration of the plants. This is not predictable with weather data alone. Perhaps the assessment of fair circumstances has to be re-examined. In any case, regional peculiarities lead to new site-specific assessments.In another presentation, MARS highlights the currently identifiable problem areas . The weather data was taken into account from 1st Feb to 23rd March . It shows that the cold spell has covered almost all of Europe. Exceptions are the north and west of France, Great Britain, Spain and Italy. Impairment of winter crops is expected. The summer cereal sowing is delayed. Maybe more corn will be grown in the end. There have been lucrative rainfalls in Portugal and western Spain, which have been urgently needed since Sept. of last year due to low rainfall. Above-average precipitation has also hit central Italy and the countries on the Adriatic Sea.In contrast, a lack of rain was observed in the southeastern part of Poland and the neighboring areas of neighboring countries. This also applies to the northeastern parts of Morocco and large parts of Tunisia. The grain import requirements of these countries are therefore likely to be above average again. Above-average temperatures have experienced Turkey and parts of the southern and Caucasian districts of Russia. Although high temperatures provide early growth but also high evaporation rates , so the soil water resources are used. In continental climates, however, sufficient moisture levels are required for the low-precipitation months of May and June.Only when the vegetation is re-established at lower temperatures will it become clear how well / poorly the plants have come over the winter.
