September is a month of "double workload": the harvest campaign is still ongoing, while the autumn cycle is already launching. During this time, farmers are completing field operations for summer crops while simultaneously preparing fields and resources for winter and the upcoming season. In regions of the temperate zone, some grains continue to be harvested in September, especially when harvesting is prolonged and maturation is uneven.

Grains: The Finish of Harvest and Post-Harvest Preparation

By the beginning of autumn, most farms still have areas of spring cereals to harvest. The pace of harvesting is dictated by the weather: even with good campaign progress, some areas inevitably carry over into September. Practices in countries with temperate climates show that grain harvesting is often completed between mid-July and mid-September, with the peak occurring in August. For instance, Grainrus AGRO completed its barley harvesting operations in August. However, this does not mean that field work on spring crops ceases by the start of autumn.

After threshing, the primary task is to bring the grain down to a safe moisture level. Several guidelines indicate that long-term storage requires reducing moisture to ~14–15% and below; otherwise, the safe storage period is drastically reduced. For barley, particularly malting barley, a target of 13% and below is recommended.

Winter Sowing: Laying the Foundation for Next Year's Harvest

September is a key window for sowing winter cereals, such as wheat, rye, and barley. Scientific and production recommendations emphasize that to achieve optimal grain parameters, sowing should be completed 45-55 days before the onset of sustained cooling. In many zones, this period corresponds to the first half of September. At this stage, farmers' expertise is crucial—sowing too early reduces winter hardiness, while sowing too late does not allow sufficient time for tillering.

Russia's vast size and climatic diversity mean that the actual sowing windows can begin in August and last until late autumn, depending on the region and the specific year's weather conditions. Consequently, agricultural and agribusiness companies work closely with local services and monitor agrometeorological conditions.

Forage and Silage: The "Safety Cushion" for Livestock Farming

September is an active period for forage procurement: corn is being ensiled, with the timing of harvest determined by the dry matter content of the entire mass. Professional recommendations indicate a target range of 28–35% dry matter at the time of harvesting, which often falls precisely in late August through September (depending on the hybrid and the year).

During this same period, farms aim to secure additional volumes of haylage/grass forage and take a "third cut" where grass growth and weather permit, to enter winter with adequate forage reserves.

Hops: Peak Season for Hop Growers

For hops, September is the main harvest month. Depending on the specific year's weather conditions, harvesting may begin in late August and continue throughout September. Both producers and agricultural consultants agree that delaying the start of harvest reduces the aroma and technological properties of the cones. In 2025, Grainrus Hops, a division engaged in hop breeding and production in the Krasnodar Krai, plans to begin harvesting in early September.

After cutting, the raw material is promptly delivered for processing, where the cones are separated and dried before further use.

Vegetables: Harvest and Storage Management

September is the time for mass potato digging and open-field vegetable harvesting; concurrently, fruit and berries are being gathered for storage or sent for processing. Official seasonal reports confirm this focus of the period: "harvesting of oilseeds, vegetables, potatoes, fruits, and berries is underway; winter sowing is gaining momentum."

A general principle applies for grain and seed stock: the drier and cooler the storage, the higher the quality stability; safe storage is achieved through moisture and temperature control, along with timely additional drying and cleaning.


Thus, when planning agricultural operations during this period, the following factors should be considered:

1. Harvest Logistics: Synchronizing harvesting, transportation, drying, and primary cleaning reduces losses and bottlenecks at processing points.
2. Flexible Weather-Based Planning: Even with advanced machinery, the work window is dictated by the weather; it is prudent to maintain a capacity reserve for rainy periods.
3. Malting Barley Quality: Attention to moisture and temperature in storage is critical for preserving germination capacity (years with a warm autumn require particularly careful ventilation and monitoring).