- Inadequate yield of winter cultivars
The winter crop yield in Lower Saxony's agriculture is below the usual standard this year. The farmers' association attributed this to the difficult planting conditions, as mentioned in a statement. "The harvest is almost over, and it's clear that our farmers have had varied outcomes due to the weather," said Thorsten Riggert, head of the Plant Committee, to Landvolk's press service.
Lighter soils fared better against the heavy downpour, but the inconsistent crops led to reduced yields. Although the overall quality is decent, the protein content often falls below the required level, rendering the wheat unfit for baking, according to Riggert. The high moisture levels prevented the grain from growing deep roots, and the heavy rain caused ears to detach or break off.
Widespread losses
The yield per hectare for winter wheat has dropped by more than 6.6 percent. Farmers managed to harvest 12 percent less winter barley. Winter rye suffered a loss of over 10 percent, while winter rapeseed saw almost the same yield with slight reduction in winter triticale.
Landvolk claimed that the excessive water led to a surge in diseases. The fungicides could not be applied in time, resulting in issues with brown rust and ergot in wheat and rye.
Uncertain future
At present, it's uncertain what prices the 2024 harvest will fetch. "The current price is too meager for these low yields," said Riggert. With wheat not covering expenses, he expresses concerns that some operations may slip into the red.
The challenges in food and nutrition are evident, with reduced protein content in some crops affecting their suitability for baking. Due to the unfavorable conditions, the farming sector has experienced significant losses in various crops such as winter wheat, winter barley, winter rye, and winter triticale.
