Snowfall Protects Rostov Winter Crops from Frost

Heavy snowfall in Rostov Oblast protected winter crops from severe frosts this year, according to the region«s Minister of Agriculture, Anna Kasyanenko.

«The fallen snow softened the impact of low temperatures, and brief warming caused no damage to the crops,» she said.

According to Kasyanenko, the condition of the crops is assessed as satisfactory, with 99.8% of planted areas having sprouted.

As experts note, autumn 2025 and winter 2026 so far are shaping up better for agriculture than last season. Precipitation has reached 101 mm compared to 84 mm a year earlier.

«An additional factor is the snow cover ranging from 2 to 14 centimeters (0.8–5.5 in), which promotes the accumulation of productive moisture in the soil,» the Ministry of Agriculture of Rostov Oblast stated.

As reported by 161.RU, in 2025 Rostov Oblast harvested its lowest grain yield in ten years. The cause was May return frosts followed by a summer drought. Farmers« losses exceeded RUB 4 billion (approximately USD 44 million at current exchange rates).

Starting in 2026, authorities in Rostov Oblast anticipate a return to annual grain harvest levels of 14.5 million tons. According to expert estimates, the profitability of wheat cultivation in the region has fallen tenfold in recent years.