Календар на стопанина - crop production for the month of December

At the end of November, the agrometeorological conditions will be mild for the season. In many places in the lowland areas of the country, the forecast values of the average daily temperatures will exceed the biological minimum required for the development of winter cereal crops. However, at the beginning of December, the agrometeorological conditions will undergo an abrupt change. The predicted cold spell, in places accompanied by snowfall, will lead to the weakening and cessation of vegetation in the autumn-sown crops.

In December, wheat will predominantly be in the third leaf growth stage. Part of the winter cereal crops, mainly those sown within the agrotechnical time frame, will cease vegetation at the tillering stage, which is a prerequisite for successful overwintering. The late-sown wheat and barley crops, sown in mid-November, are not well established and are at the emergence stage. The rapeseed crops that have overcome the negative effects of the autumn drought are at the rosette stage. The climatic conditions will allow for deep ploughing, application of mineral fertilizers, and planting of fruit trees.

Tasks in the vegetable garden

Preventive measures continue. Plant residues are collected and autumn ploughing is carried out. In order to prepare the next greenhouse production cycle, greenhouses and hotbeds designated for seedlings are cleaned, disinfected and ploughed. They are enriched with farmyard manure and mineral fertilizers and the mixture is disinfected. December is the time when, in hotbeds intended for later seedlings, lettuce can be sown (in semi-warm hotbeds) and onions can be planted for green leaves. On days favourable for work, it is advisable to prepare a soil mixture as well. It is important that the gardens are cleaned of the stalks of late cabbage, where the economically significant pest cabbage weevil overwinters.

Tasks in the orchard

On days with positive temperatures in December, when the soil is not frozen, fruit trees are planted. The trunks of young fruit trees are wrapped with protective materials against rodents, such as reed, branches from thorny shrubs, polyethylene strips, etc. Do not forget that this is also the time for planting raspberries.

During the second half of December, the average daily temperatures throughout the country gradually fall below zero and the perennial plantations, including fruit trees, enter a state of relative winter dormancy. Nevertheless, good fruit growers use the month for some urgent plant protection activities. Winter and other sprayings against diseases and pests in orchards are effective only if, beforehand, the nests of leaf-eating caterpillars, the eggs of the lackey moth, and the parts of the trunk affected by bark beetles are removed with pruning shears.

On sunny days, spraying with a 2% Bordeaux mixture against fungal diseases and against “anthracnose” and “didymella” in raspberries and blackcurrants should be continued.

Tasks in the vineyard

December is a suitable month for repairing trellis constructions and arbors and for levelling the plots for new vineyards. For novice vine growers, the days are suitable mainly for familiarizing themselves with the principles and rules of vine pruning, as well as with the agrotechnical requirements of the plant during the vegetation period.

Preventive measures continue.

The application of soil herbicides begins.

Tasks in the field

The harvesting of the late crops and deep ploughing are completed. Farmyard manure is spread in the field and the condition of the sown crops is regularly monitored. In order for weed control against autumn-germinating weeds to be effective, it must start immediately after sowing. During this period, weeds are more sensitive to the respective herbicides applied, and the products used are more easily tolerated by the cultivated plants.

Documents

By 1 December, applicants under the Young Farmers Scheme who are applying for participation for the first time, or farmers for whom there is a change, must submit documents certifying acquired professional skills and knowledge in the field of agriculture, veterinary medicine and/or documents for economic education with an agricultural focus. All farmers who applied under the scheme for Specific Support for Cotton (Cotton) in Campaign 2016 must submit, by 1 December, a concluded contract for the purchase of the production they have produced.

The good news for farmers is that the basic rates under the SPS will be paid as early as December.

Basic rates under the Single Area Payment Scheme

Thanks to the decision of the Council of Ministers (CM), the basic rate under the Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS) will be paid in December. Usually, these first payments under the Single Area Payment Scheme are made at the end of January or the beginning of February. Advance payments will be made to those farmers who have passed all administrative checks.