PARIS, France (Reuters) – Western Europe had mostly ideal conditions for fall seeding this year, in contrast to last year’s heavy rains.
Eighty percent of this year’s crop was planted under “optimal conditions,” said Philippe Gate, an agronomist with French crop institute ITCF. The remainder was delayed slightly by rain, but with no dire consequences.
The French winter grain area is estimated to rise to 16.5 million acres, up seven percent from 15.3 million last year, while winter rapeseed area was seen at 2.5 million acres, down five percent from 2.7 million acres.
Seeding conditions were also generally good in Germany, where a slight rise is forecast in winter wheat plantings and a more substantial rise in rapeseed sowings.
