“`html
Record Wheat Yields Surprise Farmers in Dobruja
This year, farmers in the Dobruja region have been pleasantly surprised by an unprecedented harvest of wheat. Reports indicate that advanced harvesting machines recorded impressive yields of up to 1,200 kg per hectare at certain times, marking a historical milestone.
“The harvest season turned out to be unexpectedly successful. Initially, there was skepticism among us, but the average yields exceeded 630 kg per hectare, which is a significant achievement. We have never harvested this much before; it is certainly a delightful surprise,” commented Radostina Zhekova, the chairperson of the Dobruja Grain Producers Association.
Uniform Performance Across Varieties
This year, there was no clear distinction in yields based on variety or soil type. Early, medium, and late wheat varieties performed equally well.
In many areas, yields reached between 850-900 kg per hectare, with some farmers boasting that their combines recorded up to 1 ton per hectare at times. However, there were also some fields that yielded a modest 400-500 kg.
“Among ourselves, we’ve been discussing how the weaker fields actually performed better this year. Overall, we have not experienced such high average yields before. We attribute this success to the favorable weather conditions in May—rain and warm temperatures ranging from 22-25°C, which contributed to the grain filling in the wheat. We can say we were fortunate with the weather,” Zhekova reflected on the recently concluded harvest season. She recalled that last year…
“`
Current Yield Trends in Bulgarian Agriculture
The average yield has been approximately 540 kg per decare. In the Ruse region, farmers are reporting improved outcomes compared to last year. The average yield in this area has reached around 650 kg per decare, whereas in 2023, it was below 600 kg per decare, as noted by Milen Koev, the chairman of the Regional Union of Farmers “Danube Grain,” in an interview with “Telegraph.”
Challenges in Stara Zagora
Conversely, farmers in the Stara Zagora region are facing disappointment. The average wheat yield stands at 463 kg per decare, which is lower than last year’s 519 kg per decare, according to reports from the regional agriculture office in Stara Zagora. They mentioned that the record yield in the past decade was in 2021, with a peak of 553 kg per decare, while the lowest recorded was in 2015, at just 364 kg per decare.
Weather Impact on Crops
Grain producers experienced favorable weather conditions in May, which benefited the winter crops. However, the current drought and heat are raising concerns about the spring crops, particularly sunflower and corn.
Optimism for Sunflower, Concerns for Corn
Sunflower crops demonstrate good drought resistance, leading to some optimism. While they appear healthy in certain areas, not all have been pollinated. Expectations are around 200 kg per decare, compared to last year’s 240 kg per decare, as highlighted by Radostina Zhekova from Dobrich.
On the other hand, the situation with corn is alarming, according to her observations. Due to two months of drought combined with high temperatures and wind, some hybrids have failed to pollinate, which will likely reduce the overall yield. Nevertheless, Zhekova anticipates that the results might be similar to last year when there was also a dry and hot summer. Farmers in Dobrich may harvest between 150 and 600 kg per decare, averaging around 400 kg per decare.
Pessimism Among Ruse Farmers
Colleagues in the Ruse region share a pessimistic outlook. They expect very low yields this year for both corn and sunflower, according to Milen Koev. He noted that for the third consecutive year, the region has faced extreme heat, with temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in the shade, which is critical for spring crops.
“Corn and sunflower make up a significant portion of our production, yet we are unable to achieve satisfactory results. There has been no alternation in yields, with three consecutive years of exceptionally unfavorable weather conditions for these crops,” Koev added.
Uncertain Forecasts
He refrained from committing to a specific percentage by which spring crop yields may decline but is certain that the results will be very low. The situation is similarly dire in the Stara Zagora region.
“The high temperatures in July, exceeding 40-43ºC in some areas, along with moisture deficits, have impacted some spring crops being cultivated in the region. There are signs of partial wilting in corn and sunflower, along with premature leaf drop in certain perennial crops,” commented engineer Kamen Karshibradov, head of the regional agriculture office in Stara Zagora. “We cannot provide forecast data for expected corn yields as this crop is not assessed on-site, and there is no methodology for creating such forecasts,” he clarified.
Early Harvesting Trends
Due to high temperatures, wheat harvesting commenced two weeks early, and similar expectations are in place for corn and sunflower. The Ministry of Agriculture has even noted that in some areas, early harvesting of sunflower has begun due to the dry and hot weather.
Harvest Statistics
By July 25, just before the conclusion of wheat harvesting, the collected yield had exceeded 6.3 million tons, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture.
Harvest Statistics: A Yearly Comparison
Last year, approximately 5.7 million tons were harvested during this period. The average yield per acre has shown an increase, reaching 570 kg compared to 548 kg in 2023. This reflects a growth of 4%.
Barley Yield Highlights
Barley has demonstrated even more remarkable results, primarily due to a substantial increase in the areas designated for harvest, which grew by 34.3%. The overall production has surged by 41.9%, although the average yield has seen only a slight improvement of 3.2%.
Contributors to the Report
This report was prepared by Sofia Simeonova, Janeta Yordanova, and Elena Dyulgerova.
