Urgent call: Consideration for farmers during the harvest season!

Urgent call: Consideration for farmers during the harvest season!

Harvesting is currently in full swing in the region around Hagenow. Farmers work day and night to bring in the crops as long periods of rain have often left the fields too wet for harvest. Tim Schmüser, the chairman of the Ludwigslust farmers' association, points out that they currently have to chase after the quality of the harvest. Leaving the grain for longer periods increases the risk of fungal attack and thus the loss of valuable ingredients. In some parts of the fields, wheat ears have already turned black, which is alarming and indicates the challenges posed by the weather.

“It is important to act quickly now,” said Schmüser. The farmers also have to catch up on work that has been left behind and at the same time coordinate the new cultivation of the fields. Due to the unfavorable weather conditions, they are already several weeks off schedule. The region's roads are also flooded with large machines and multiple trailers, making it difficult for drivers to pass. Klaus Stamer, a farmer from Gammelin, thanked the considerate drivers who give farmers the space they need on the road. This consideration is particularly important for farmers, especially when field entrances are repeatedly blocked by parked cars.

Focus on income

The situation is not only tense in northern Germany. According to the Commission's latest MARS report, wheat yields in the EU have increased to an average of 5.83 t/ha, an increase of 8% compared to last year. A forecast wheat yield of 7.48 t/ha is expected for Germany, 6% above last year. These yields could certainly be seen as a positive sign, even though farmers have to contend with the weather conditions. Above-average yields are forecast in Spain and the Black Sea region.

• Durchschnittlicher Weizenertrag in der EU: 5,83 t/ha
• Deutschland: 7,48 t/ha (6 % über dem Vorjahr)
• Durchschnittlicher Maisertrag in der EU: 7,45 t/ha (11 % über dem Vorjahr)
• Deutschland: 9,82 t/ha, im Bereich des langjährigen Mittels
• Rapserträge in Deutschland: 3,60 t/ha (8 % über dem Vorjahr)

The effects of climate change

The challenges farmers face are part of a bigger picture. Researchers at the Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) have found that climate change could have a major impact on crop yields. Extreme weather events, increased temperatures and changes in water availability pose a significant threat to future food security, and not just in Germany. According to Dr. Ehsan Eyshi Rezaei, it will be crucial to develop regional adaptation strategies to minimize crop losses.

Although at higher altitudes there could be advantages through extended growing seasons, in tropical regions yields decrease due to high temperatures and lack of water. Irrigation and nutrient management could be promising options, but require large investments and cannot be implemented everywhere. The challenges are diverse and require innovative solutions to ensure future food security.

As long as weather conditions and climatic factors influence the harvest, cooperation between farmers and drivers remains key. “Keeping roadsides and driveways clear is very important to make farmers’ work easier,” appeals Schmüser. Joint consideration is necessary in order to overcome the challenges of the harvest season together and to support regional agricultural economies.

For more information and detailed insights into harvest conditions, I recommend the articles from Northern Courier, Agricultural today and ZALF.