Ukraine (be) famous for its vast plains called steeps. The plains (cover) with fertile black soil, which has made Ukraine one of the world’s leading farming regions. During the Soviet rule, farmers (allow) to have small plots and sell their products for a profit. After Ukraine (gain) its independence in 1991, it (start) to change its economy to one based on free enterprise. Ukraine (lead) the world in sugar beet production. Most farms in Ukraine (own) and (control) by the government under the Soviet rule. Independent Ukraine (cut) its military spending. Private plots (become) the most productive farming areas in Ukraine. In the late 1980’s, the Ukrainian winter wheat harvest (can/finish) in roughly three weeks. Harvest now (take) twice as long to complete, and both yield and grain quality suffer as a result of the delays. Only 25 to 50 percent of total corn area (harvest) for grain; the rest (cut) for silage, usually in August.