The harvest may be over, but work in the fields continues. Much of next year's crop potential is determined in autumn: soil preparation, the timing of winter crop sowing, and soil moisture reserves all influence how crops enter winter and begin growing in spring. This article explores the key stages of the autumn field campaign and the factors agronomists consider when planning their work.

Why Autumn Is Called the “Second Start” of the Agricultural Year

Autumn fieldwork has three main objectives:

1. Establish the foundation for winter crops, including wheat, rye, triticale, barley, and rapeseed.

2. Prepare the soil for spring-sown crops and build up soil moisture reserves.

3. Reduce risks associated with weeds, diseases and pests, nutrient losses, and soil erosion.

Autumn also places less pressure on machinery and personnel than the spring season. It provides an opportunity to complete large-scale field operations without the time constraints that often affect work quality in spring.

Planning: Where the Autumn Campaign Begins

Preparation starts well before machinery enters the fields.

Reviewing the season's results. Agronomists compare yields across fields and assess weed infestation, disease incidence, and soil condition to identify areas where changes are needed.

Crop rotation and preceding crops. Selecting suitable preceding crops remains one of the key tools for improving yields. Good preceding crops for winter cereals include bare fallow and green-manure fallow, grain legumes, rapeseed, and perennial grasses. Sowing winter wheat after wheat increases the risk of take-all, root rot, and other diseases, so this practice is generally avoided.

Soil agrochemical surveys. Soil analyses determine humus content, phosphorus and potassium levels, and soil acidity. The results are used to calculate fertilizer application rates and determine whether liming or other soil amelioration measures are necessary. Agricultural land is generally surveyed in cycles spanning several years. Specific schedules and methods are established by applicable regulations and recommendations from specialized institutions.

Resource planning. Farms calculate their requirements for seeds, fertilizers, crop protection products, and fuel, while planning machinery utilization and the number of machine operators needed.

Winter Crop Sowing: Timing, Depth, and Seed Quality

Sowing winter crops is one of the most time-sensitive operations of the autumn season.

Sowing dates. There are no universal dates that apply throughout the country. Timing depends on the region, crop, and weather conditions. The general principle is that plants should develop a sufficiently strong root system and reach the beginning of tillering before winter dormancy. Sowing too early can lead to excessive vegetative growth and increase the risk of disease and pest damage. Sowing too late results in weak plants with insufficient tillering, making them less able to withstand winter conditions. Precise calendar dates should be based on recommendations from regional agricultural research institutions and the Russian Agricultural Center (Rosselkhoztsentr).

Seed quality. Certified varietal seed of high reproduction categories is used, meeting the applicable GOST requirements for purity, germination, and moisture content. Seeds are treated with seed dressings before sowing to protect seedlings against seed-borne and soil-borne infections.

Seedbed preparation and sowing depth. The soil should be level and sufficiently consolidated to ensure uniform sowing depth and adequate moisture availability. Consistent seed placement helps produce uniform emergence and an even crop stand. Seeding rates are determined according to the variety, sowing date, soil type, and moisture availability. Later sowings generally require higher seeding rates.

Soil Preparation: From Stubble Management to Autumn Tillage

Managing crop residues. After harvesting, straw is chopped and evenly distributed, and stubble cultivation is carried out. This encourages the germination of volunteer crops and weed seeds, which can then be controlled through subsequent tillage operations.

It is important to note that burning stubble and dry vegetation is prohibited in Russia under fire safety regulations and can result in administrative penalties. In addition, burning destroys soil organic matter and harms beneficial soil microorganisms.

Primary autumn tillage. This refers to autumn soil preparation for spring-sown crops. Several systems may be used:

• Mouldboard ploughing effectively incorporates crop residues and helps reduce weed pressure, but requires more fuel and time.
• Non-inversion tillage and deep chiselling alleviate soil compaction while leaving crop residues on the surface, helping protect the soil against erosion.
• Minimum tillage and direct seeding (no-till) reduce operating costs and help conserve soil moisture, but require rigorous weed and disease management, as well as suitable seeding equipment.

The choice of system depends on soil type, climate, preceding crop, weed pressure, and the machinery available. There is no universal solution, and well-managed farms combine different approaches across their fields as appropriate.

Building up and conserving soil moisture. Autumn tillage can help the soil absorb precipitation more effectively. In winter, snow-retention measures may be used to increase moisture reserves available in spring.

Fertilizers and Soil Amelioration in Autumn

Base fertilizer application. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are most often applied before primary tillage so they can be incorporated into the root zone. Nitrogen fertilization of winter crops is generally split into several applications: a moderate amount may be applied before sowing, while the main nitrogen topdressing is carried out in spring. Excessive nitrogen application in autumn can cause winter crops to grow too vigorously and increase nitrogen losses through leaching.

Organic amendments. Where available, manure and compost are applied to increase soil humus content and improve soil structure.

Liming and gypsum application. Acidic soils are limed, while saline and sodic soils are treated with gypsum. Autumn is a suitable time for these operations because the amendments have time to react with the soil before spring. Application rates are calculated on the basis of soil agrochemical analyses.

Other Important Autumn Operations

• Assessing winter crop condition. Agronomists monitor emergence, plant density, tillering, and phytosanitary conditions, implementing crop protection measures where necessary.
• Managing perennial grasses and applying autumn herbicides. These operations are carried out where agronomic conditions make them appropriate.
• Preparing machinery. After the season, tractors, combine harvesters, seed drills, and sprayers undergo inspections, repairs, and maintenance to minimize downtime in spring.
• Preparing storage facilities. Grain stores and other storage facilities are prepared and treated as required, while the quality of the harvested crop and storage conditions are monitored.
• Procuring and stockpiling resources. Farms secure seeds for spring-sown crops, fertilizers, crop protection products, and fuels and lubricants.
• Agricultural insurance. Agricultural producers can insure their crops, including winter crops, under the terms of available government-supported insurance programmes. Current conditions should be verified against the applicable regulations.
• Reviewing results and training personnel. Farms evaluate the season's performance, train staff, and plan the spring field campaign.

Autumn Risks and How They Are Managed

What This Means for Next Year's Harvest

Autumn fieldwork cannot simply be postponed until spring. Mistakes in sowing dates, soil preparation, or crop nutrition often cannot be fully corrected later.

That is why modern agricultural enterprises approach the autumn campaign as an integrated system. It combines data analysis, crop rotation planning, scientifically sound agronomic practices, properly maintained machinery, and monitoring at every stage.

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