A severe lack of rainfall has had the strongest impact on winter wheat development across Serbia this year. In the northern regions, almost no rain fell during October, causing wheat to germinate late and remain in the one-to-three-leaf stage, even though sowing was carried out within the optimal window. In other parts of the country, where rainfall was more regular, wheat has already begun tillering and is better prepared for winter temperatures. Although the optimal sowing period has passed, many farmers have not yet completed planting due to poor soil conditions caused by drought.
Among those forced into late sowing is farmer Dejan Rakić from Aradac, who planted his fields on October 22 and 23 — the latest planting he has ever done. His wheat has now emerged and is developing after receiving much-needed rainfall. Rakić said that warm weather led to insect appearance on some fields, forcing farmers to apply treatments, including on his own early-sown clover, which was attacked by flea beetles. He noted that many producers planted more wheat this year than last.
In contrast, the agricultural cooperative Yuko Begejci did not increase its wheat area this season, despite many individual farmers expanding theirs by 15–20%. The cooperative’s production manager, Serđo Okolišan, said many farmers shifted their crop rotation to avoid the risks posed by drought, but warned that constant changes in planting structure disrupt market stability. Their wheat sowing began on October 7, but emergence did not occur until late October and early November. Despite recent rainfall, soil moisture deficit remains extremely high — over 500 liters per square meter — complicating winter plowing. Their wheat is currently in the two-leaf stage and requires additional rainfall for proper development.
Rainfall measurements for September and October in the Central Banat region totaled only 28.6 mm. From January to mid-November, the region received 341 liters of rain per square meter, nearly 40 liters less than last year. As a result, wheat fields across the region show uneven development due to varying sowing times. Agronomists expect more intensive growth in November.
Insufficient rainfall also prevented an expansion of rapeseed acreage in Central Banat, which remains at around 3,500 hectares. Some farmers avoided rapeseed because herbicides applied in cornfields could negatively affect the crop. Rapeseed emergence is highly uneven. Agronomists emphasize that well-developed plants — with around eight leaves, a 15-cm root and a root collar thickness of 8–10 mm — have the best chance of overwintering. Aphid activity has been observed but remains low. Gradual temperature decline would help the crop harden and prepare for winter.
Wheat fields in this region will expand by around 20% compared to last year. Winter barley areas have also increased. Current estimates show 57,117 hectares under winter wheat and 5,150 hectares under winter barley.
Warm autumn weather has also contributed to the presence of leafhoppers, carriers of wheat dwarf virus, on early-sown fields. Because many seed lots lacked insecticidal seed coating, farmers had to apply foliar insecticides. Leafhoppers do not always transmit the virus, but infections are often detected only later in the season.
According to experts, wheat development varies significantly across the country. In the north, drought delayed emergence, while areas south of the Sava and Danube rivers received more rainfall, allowing wheat to reach the tillering stage. Recent rainfall has improved soil moisture, but agronomists warn that fields currently in the emergence stage are most vulnerable to sudden cold spells.
Another ongoing challenge is the widespread use of farmers’ own saved seed. Certified seed was used on only about 50% of wheat acreage this year. Many producers have relied on their own seed for years, reducing demand for certified varieties. Although subsidies may increase demand, seed production cannot expand quickly within a single season. Experts also warn that Serbia’s wheat quality has been consistently low for years because the market continues to purchase wheat by weight rather than by quality. As a result, farmers prefer high-yielding varieties, which often deliver lower technological quality for milling and baking.
Agronomists advise farmers to monitor fields regularly and apply crop protection when needed. Additional rainfall in the coming weeks would significantly benefit wheat at all stages and improve prospects for spring development.
