Agriculture - First harvest balance significantly below expectations
First harvest reports in Saxony-Anhalt are significantly behind expectations. The rain during winter and spring has had considerable impact on local crop yields, according to the Farmers' Association. In addition to lower yields, the rain has also affected quality. Winter barley has already been largely harvested. The Farmers' Association expects lower prices for farmers in the winter barley market, as the market price is already very low.
Similarly, there are significant losses for the most important oilseed plant in Saxony-Anhalt, winter rapeseed. The cause is the spread of rapeseed weevils after sowing in the previous autumn. The beetle feeds on the young shoots of the plants and damages them severely. The spread is mainly due to the absence of certain plant protection agents. Farmers are hoping for dry and sunny days for the upcoming winter wheat harvest. Wheat is particularly important economically for many farms in Saxony-Anhalt. According to the Farmers' Association, Saxony-Anhalt is one of Germany's "granaries," with around ten percent of German winter wheat coming from Saxony-Anhalt.
Despite the challenges faced in Agriculture due to the unfavorable weather conditions in Spring, the 'Agrarian' sector in 'Saxony-Anhalt' remains hopeful for the upcoming 'winter wheat' harvest. The 'Moss' on the wheat plants, a common problem in wet seasons, is a concern, but farmers are praying for dry and sunny days to mitigate its impact.
