Prospects of the grain harvest-2017 in Kazakhstan - estimations of agrarians

Source

APK-Inform

2091

 

In 2016/17 MY, adverse weather conditions, which have negatively affected the quality of grain crops, became one of the key problems for Kazakhstan. During grain maturing period in the current year, the weather was more favorable, nevertheless experts and agrarians have various opinions concerning the influence of weather conditions for the crop condition. Thus, at the forefront of the mass harvesting works the magazine "Agrobusiness. Kazakhstan” prepared a blitz-interview with agrarians of Northern Kazakhstan for the request of APK-Inform Agency.

 

Agrarians were asked the followed questions:

- When do You actually plan to start the harvesting campaign of Your grain crops? Does the weather have any effect on the crop conditions?

- What are expectations of the crop potential and quality characteristics of wheat and barley in Your household?

 - How do You plan to sell Your harvest – weather You will sell it right after harvesting, or it will be put on storage?

- Do You have any problems with storing of harvested crops? Do You use elevators, or You have Your own granaries? How have the tariffs for elevators services changed in anticipation of the harvest?

- What, in Your opinion, will be the starting offer prices for new crop wheat and barley?

 

Volodymyr Schuller, Director of Prirechenskoye LLP, Denisovsky raion of Kostanay oblast

In the current year, we planted nearly 18 thsd ha under wheat, 23 thsd ha under sunflower seed, and 3 thsd tones are occupied under feed crops. Looking at fields today, one may say that our hopes for a quite good harvest came true. The specific yield of crops obviously exceeds the average long-term value.

We began the harvesting campaign of crops in the third ten-day period of August: at first we planted coarse grains, and in couple of days we passed to wheat. We expect to receive nearly 30 thsd tonnes of grains with very high quality.

As for selling prospects, we sell nearly 30% of production at once, and we will put the remaining volumes on storage.

We have enough storehouse capacities, but still we send grains for additional treatment to Zaayatsky elevator. The tariffs for services don't change here for several recent years. Therefore, the relationships of our household with this enterprise are very good.

Right now we are offered to sell new harvest barley at 42 thsd KZT/t. The price is quite acceptable. And here for wheat we expect not less than 50 thsd KZT/t.

 

Vitaly Nered, Head of Vest country household, Uzunkolsky raion of Kostanay oblast

Our household specializes in grain crops with wheat occupying 8 thsd ha, and barley and oats — 2 thsd ha.

The weather conditions in the current year are fine. Of course, the yield varies from one field to another, but in general the condition of a grain field completely satisfies us.

The harvesting campaign has already started. Still, the first results demonstrate that the quality of grain corresponds to the parameters of 3-grade wheat. And as for quantity... You may judge for yourself it if the yield of barley is nearly 3 t/ha. The yield of wheat, however, is a little less.

As for the time limits for crop sales, it is possible to tell that we adhere to 50/50 share. Thus, we may sell nearly half of it almost at once, and the rest is left on storage in our storehouses. We have quite good grain storing capacities, and good dryer. Thus we don’t send grains to third-party elevators for additional operations.

To date, we are concerned about crop prices: annually the cost of grain production continues increasing. The cost of fuels and lubricants, spare parts, new equipment and other components, grows by leaps and bounds. Therefore, we plan to receive not less than 40 thsd KZT/t for barley, and 10 thsd KZT/t more for wheat.

 

Turemurat Utepov, Director of PKF Kayrat LLP, Kamystinsky raion of Kostanay oblast

Practically all cultivated areas of our household are reserved for a mono-crop — wheat. And it is 10 thsd ha. Though, there are also two fields with barley (400 ha) and oilseed crops (400 ha).

The summer of 2017 became good for farmers. And despite the fact that some fields have got under a drought, the general condition of crops was quite good.

We’ve started field works just few weeks ago. As far as we have started harvesting throughout the areas which were planted for the first stage, the fixed yield here isn’t good because they got under influence of high air temperatures. Still, the quality is fine: the gluten is equal to 28%. Thus, we won’t be hurry up with selling. By the way, during the August visit of Askar Myrzakhmetov, the Minister of Agriculture to our oblast, the issue of extra charge to the price for high-quality grain was discussed at the meeting. And with recently announced purchased prices, I consider that grain price with 27% gluten should be no lower than 60 thsd KZT/t.

Just recently our household has built a new modern granary, and we don’t need to address the services to third-party elevators. We can place nearly 15 thsd tonnes of grains on storage, thus, we will wait for the worthy prices. Now we are offered the prices for barley at 38-40 thsd KZT/t, and wheat — 50 thsd KZT/t. I consider these prices to be the lowest at the moment.

 

Yury Chekhovsky, Director of Sheminovka LLP, Kostanay raion of Kostanay oblast

There are two main directions of agricultural production at our household — crop production and livestock industry. Therefore, the planted areas equal to 11 thsd ha is almost halved between these spheres: 52% of fields are given for wheat, while the others are placed for feed crops. And just on the eve of the harvesting campaign we consider that the condition of the grain fields is good.

The harvesting campaign started with barley, then we will pass to wheat. Of course, the first fields we are harvesting by a separate method as it was demanded by their conditions. And then, certainly, we will work directly.

Last year, we received the average grain yield at nearly 2 t/ha. In the current year, perhaps, we will increase the indicator to 2.2-2.4 t/ha at high quality of grains. We won't sell a whole harvest at once. Our storehouse capacities allow putting not less than 22 thsd tonnes of grains on storage. The autumn sale will be minimum, the main volume should be stored anticipating for higher prices. We do have regular customers from local processing enterprises. And if they ask to sell some lots of grain right after harvesting, then we meet their requirements under certain conditions. We don't demand payment for the grain supply until the need for money won't appear. Then our partner pays off at developed prices on the market. As a rule, by this time the cost of grain reaches good level.

 

Kayrat Ospanov, Director of Turar LLP, Fedorovsky raion of Kostanay oblast

Our household has two main activities – crop production and dairy livestock production. The general areas total 20`659 ha, from them the wheat areas total 10`356 ha, barley – 2`354 ha, corn – 1`007 ha, oats – 648 ha, lentils – 590 ha, feed crops for haylage – 2`902 ha, peas – 1`356 ha.

We began the planting campaign since May 2-3. Then we planted peas, lentils, and we pass to wheat, and feed barley. We planted corn in optimum terms when the soil gets warm, – during the period from May 20 to June 1. Also, we’ve got to plant wheat in optimum terms till May 30, barley – till June 3. Then we planted peas, lentils. We planted corn in optimum terms, when the soil gets warm – during the period from May 20 to June 1, while for wheat this period is until May 30, and barley – till June 3. First of all, before beginning of the planting campaign we estimate the reserves of productive moisture thus deciding the terms of planting, and the standard quantity of seed per hectare. If moisture isn't enough, then we reduce the rates of seeding. In the current year, the rates of seeding of wheat were 180 kg/ha. The major factor during the planting campaign and cultivation of crops is moisture content and warm weather conditions. During the summer period, the moisture was good, but there wasn't the positive high enough temperatures later. I estimate the condition of crops as good, as well as quality. Before August heat approaching, good rains developed, that together with the sun – have exerted beneficial effect on grain filling.

Concerning the expectations of crop potential, I suppose there won’t be high production in the current year in Kazakhstan. As for the household, the first fields of wheat give 2 t/ha for the circle, the gluten - not lower than 23%, natural weight - 770-780, the yield of lentils reached 1.4 t/ha in test weight, and that of oats and peas – 2.14 t/ha and 1.73 t/ha, respectively.

The purchasing prices of this year have already been announced. I want to tell that the main thing for us is to to grow up production of high quality, and the market will offer good prices in a response. The quality depends on right crop rotation in it’s turn, and we use alternative crops – oats, sweet clover, peas, lentils, corn, barley. In the current year, we planted lentils throughout 590 ha. For the first time we formed such high planted areas, and the crop yield was higher than last year. The next year we will plant bigger rates, using cross disk seeders, with application of chemistry. We have a good experience of peas cultivation, therefore we know the nuances of growing beans.

We usually apply the main mineral fertilizers in the autumn, and we work separately and use low-tillage farming, for the depth of 10-12 cm. We also add fertilizes throughout 25-30% of the areas in the spring. In the winter and summer we add organic chemistry (manure) as fertilizers, both in the liquid, and firm state.

As for the product sales, it will depend on the market situation but any way we have our deep-processing elevator and storages.

 

Prepared by Dina Esenova,

editor of the magazine “Agrobusiness. Kazakhstan” specially for APK-Inform agency

Advertising

Enter