About two weeks remain before the start of the harvest. For farmers, this is one of the most responsible periods of the year: they need to complete current fieldwork, inspect machinery, prepare teams and, at the same time, already think about the next season. At the Prometey agricultural holding, they say this year’s harvest has good prospects; however, the true responsibility of a farmer is measured not only by the amount of grain harvested, but also by the condition in which the land will remain after the season.
That is why the agrocompany is paying increasing attention not to short-term results, but to a systematic approach to farming. One of the key tools is six-field crop rotation, which Prometey is already applying across the majority of its farms.
According to Illya Troitsky, Chief Agronomist of Prometey agrocompany, the current period is extremely important not only because the harvest is approaching, but also because it is necessary to lay the foundation for the future crop.
“We are now essentially on the home stretch before the harvest. There are about two weeks left, and all departments are working in maximum readiness mode. But for us, it is important not only to gather a good harvest this year. We are already thinking about the next season, about the condition of the soil, about moisture, and about what quality the land will have after the current campaign,” says Illya Troitsky.
Why Crop Rotation Matters
Proper crop rotation affects a great deal: soil fertility, moisture accumulation, yield, the level of diseases and pests, as well as costs for fertilizers and crop protection products.
If a limited range of crops is grown on the same field for years, the soil becomes depleted more quickly. As a result, a farmer may receive a profit in the short term, but over time the land begins to lose its potential. That is why Prometey is gradually moving away from short-rotation crop rotation and transitioning to a broader rotation of crops.
“The market often dictates a short-term perspective to farmers: sow what is profitable now, quickly get a result and move on. But a responsible farmer must think differently. We understand that crops should be sown in a way that allows us to gather a good harvest not only this season, but also in the years to come. We are taking care of our land,” explains the Chief Agronomist of Prometey.
Six-Field Crop Rotation: Not the Easiest, but a Promising Path
Prometey agrocompany applies six-field crop rotation at some of its farms. This means that a wider range of crops is used in the rotation, and a field does not quickly return to the same crop. This approach requires more planning, deeper soil analysis, more careful selection of technologies and greater discipline in operations.
Not every farm is ready for such a step. A simpler crop rotation often seems more profitable at first glance: fewer crops, less logistics, and a clearer technology. However, in the long term, broad rotation gives farmers more opportunities. It allows them not only to diversify production, but also to work better with the soil.
“If previously, in some cases, a simpler crop rotation was enough, particularly with an emphasis on sunflower, today conditions are changing. The climate is becoming more complex, moisture is becoming more valuable, and the soil requires more careful treatment. That is why we are adding flax, lentils, peas and millet to the rotation. This is an entirely different level of planning,” says Illya Troitsky.
Moisture in the Soil Is One of the Key Resources
One of the key goals of broad crop rotation is to preserve and accumulate as much moisture as possible in the soil profile. For southern regions, particularly Mykolaiv region, this issue is especially relevant. The amount of precipitation, dry periods and high temperatures all directly affect the harvest.
According to agronomists, the right selection of crops helps use moisture reserves more efficiently and reduce the pressure on the land. Leguminous crops, including peas and lentils, have another important advantage: they can improve the nitrogen balance of the soil. This does not mean that they completely replace the nutrition system, but they help make farming more balanced.
Prometey says it is ready for the harvest. However, the company emphasizes that the harvest is not the final point, but only one of the important stages of a continuous agricultural cycle. After the crop is harvested, new work begins: analyzing results, preparing the soil, planning the next sowing campaign and assessing the effectiveness of crop rotation. This is where it becomes clear how correct the decisions made earlier were.
Six-field crop rotation is not an instant tool for quick profit. It is a strategy designed for years. It requires patience, professionalism and a readiness to look beyond a single season. But it is precisely this approach, Prometey believes, that makes it possible to build sustainable agricultural production.
