Continental Farmers Group is completing preparations for the active phase of spring field operations, which have been slightly delayed due to an unusually cold and prolonged winter compared to recent years, ProAgro Group reports.
At the same time, the assessment of winter crop conditions suggests positive prospects for the 2026 harvest, provided favorable weather conditions continue.
Monitoring conducted by Continental agronomists confirms successful overwintering of both winter wheat — including late sowings at various growth stages — and winter rapeseed. Germination tests of selected plant samples indicate a good survival rate. Currently, the company does not consider reseeding risks, although the final assessment of possible damage to rapeseed above-ground biomass will only be possible after the snow cover melts.
Snow cover remains on a significant part of the company’s fields in the central districts of Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.
“On the one hand, a stable snow cover of more than 10 cm (and in some places up to 30 cm) reliably protected winter crops from freezing during temperatures that dropped to -25°C this winter. On the other hand, due to the prolonged snow cover and potential surface runoff risks on our hilly terrain during rapid melting, nitrogen fertilization was not carried out in February as in previous years. All operations have been postponed to March, which may increase the workload in the second half of the month if fertilization, crop protection and preparation for spring sowing occur within a short time window,” said Kostyantyn Shytiuk, Chief Operating Officer of Continental Farmers Group.
The company notes that no rapid runoff has been recorded on its fields so far thanks to unfrozen soil that absorbs meltwater. However, waterlogged soils after heavy snowmelt may complicate large-scale entry of machinery into fields if weather conditions do not allow soils to dry sufficiently.
Weather conditions in March and early April will be a key factor determining the pace of the 2026 season. Temperature patterns will define the start of spring vegetation, create optimal conditions for winter wheat tillering and allow late sowings to fully realize their potential.
In the company’s crop structure for the 2026 harvest, winter crops occupy 73 thousand hectares, including: winter rapeseed — 27.4 thousand ha, winter wheat — 35.37 thousand ha, and winter barley — 10.28 thousand ha. Spring crops will cover 108.1 thousand hectares.
Earlier it was reported that Continental Farmers Group launched a digital portal for comprehensive management of logistics processes. The platform integrates contractor accreditation, electronic document management, vehicle registration, shipment registers with analytical tools and communication instruments.
