Agro Perspectiva

Continental has upgraded its machinery fleet for USD 29.5 million and will sow 96 thousand hectares of spring crops

16.04.2025 13:56 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — Continental Farmers Group has resumed sowing operations after a forced hiatus caused by a significant cold snap. Therefore, the sowing campaign in the agricultural holding is increasing its pace. It began in late March with sowing sugar beet and planting potatoes, with sunflower being next in line. In total, in the new season, Continental will grow spring crops on an area of almost 96 thousand hectares: soybeans will take the largest share — 49.5 thousand hectares, 26 thousand hectares will be allocated for corn, 15.7 thousand hectares for sunflower, 2.5 thousand hectares will be sown with sugar beet, and potatoes will be planted on an area of 2.1 thousand hectares.

The early start of spring crops was facilitated by favourable weather conditions and soil preparation, which started as planned in mid-March. However, subsequent rainfall slowed the pace of work, and significant temperature drops in the first half of April halted it altogether. The success of this year’s season will largely depend on the organizational and technical readiness and ability to implement the maximum of the spring program in the second half of April and early May. To ensure this, Continental has significantly upgraded its agricultural machinery fleet, investing USD 29.5 million in it.

«We have purchased more than 150 new pieces of machinery, including tractors and seeders for a successful sowing season. These are planned systemic investments that we make on a regular basis to not only maintain our technical fleet at a high level, but also to develop our capacities. This is how we can organize our work confidently and efficiently,» comments Georg von Nolcken, CEO of Continental Farmers Group, «In addition, our technology, which our team of professionals works hard to improve year after year, combined with optimal crop rotation and widespread use of precision farming elements, allows us to start the new season with determination, demonstrate maximum productivity and lay the groundwork for the future harvest despite all the risks inherent in today’s environment.»

The newly acquired equipment includes 20 tractors of different power ranging from 200–240 to 500–600 hp, 11 self-propelled sprayers, 3 precision seeders and 2 grain seeders, 5 pre-sowing cultivators, fertilizer spreaders, telescopic loaders, other tillage, special, automotive and warehouse equipment. Closer to the start of the harvest, the company also expects to deliver harvesting equipment.

Continental notes that one of the main requirements for updating its machinery fleet is its optimal total cost of ownership and the provision of integrated management and precision farming systems.

The Company expects the peak workload of field operations in the second half of April, when corn and soybean sowing begins. The company expects to complete the sowing campaign by the second quarter of May, if the weather does not make any significant adjustments.