Most Crops in Latvia Successfully Survived the Winter

In Latvia, most crops have successfully survived the winter, and the condition of winter crops is generally assessed as good, acknowledged agricultural producers surveyed by the LETA agency.

Andris Skudra, a consultant in the crop production department of the Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, told the LETA agency that, except for areas where snowdrifts formed in the fields and along the roads, the plants have successfully survived the winter. In areas with snowdrifts, the plants have suffered from suffocation, so winter wheat can be reseeded with spring wheat there.

Skudra also noted that earlier sown winter wheat suffered more from suffocation due to a larger leaf area, while later sown crops were less affected.

He also pointed out that winter rapeseed has survived well under a thick snow cover. Only in places where water accumulated during the melting of snow due to, for example, a disorganized drainage system, did the plants die.

Skudra added that significant damage caused by wild animals has been recorded near forested areas; however, it is not critical enough to prevent the plants from recovering, as in most cases they were protected by the snow cover.

The development of the plants is currently happening very gradually, and they are not turning green immediately, as the soil temperature in Zemgale is around +3 degrees, and even lower in Vidzeme, Skudra explained.

Currently, active fertilization is not being carried out, Skudra noted, adding that the root system is developing very slowly, and it is impossible to predict what the weather conditions will be like moving forward.

Speaking about the start of sowing, Skudra noted that the fields are still too wet, and active work may begin in early April. It is necessary to wait until the soil warms up to at least +5 degrees to ensure normal germination and optimal temperature.

Girts Ozols, head of the agricultural department and board member of the agricultural cooperative "Latraps," told the LETA agency that the overall condition of winter crops is currently assessed as good, with most crops having successfully survived the winter, and no significant areas of damage observed. However, in waterlogged areas, the influence of adverse autumn conditions still persists.

Winter rapeseed, in general, looks good, Ozols added, noting that the snow cover in winter helped the plants survive better and reduced the impact of temperature fluctuations.

On the other hand, signs of suffocation are observed in places in winter wheat fields, with some areas showing frost damage and mold, Ozols pointed out.

In Kurzeme, the first fertilization has already begun in some farms, while in Zemgale, this work is planned to start this week if weather conditions remain favorable.

Ozols predicts that larger-scale spring sowing activities may begin right after Easter if the soil condition is suitable for machinery operation.