Last Wednesday we set off on a planned four day trip through southern Russia to take a look at the Volga region crop condition.Reports had been suggesting there was a problem with 160,000 hectares of crop dead in the heat and drought.
In the end it took us five days and we covered 3,000km taking in Kursk, Voronezh, Rostov, Stavropol and Volga before turning for home.
We found a few issues along the way that are not currently being reported, at least I've not read anything yet and we added to our wider understanding of the state of the Black Sea crop.
Since April we have driven 13,000km across the whole of Ukraine and western Russia, we have made 1,400 rapid field appraisals and carried out 125 detailed fields assessments.
All in I reckon we have the best, completely independent view on Black Sea crop condition that there is and we are still planning more for this year.
But we need funding, if you would like to support us in developing this independent service and secure a copy of the latest 800 word report for £100 then send me an email or tweet.