Corn harvest in Schleswig-Holstein: Farmers expect challenges!

Corn harvest in Schleswig-Holstein: Farmers expect challenges!

The harvest season has begun in Schleswig-Holstein and with it the farmers are starting the corn harvest. After the completion of the grain and rapeseed harvest, another chapter is currently opening in the fields. Work is now in full swing, particularly in the north of the state, including in North Frisia, where farmer Tade Petersen runs his “Bensenhof”. The farm is home to 230 Jersey cows that rely on high-energy feeding to be well prepared for the winter. “Corn is essential for providing our cows with energy and raw fiber,” explains Petersen. For this reason, the corn is harvested using a forage harvester, which chops up the entire crop and immediately loads it onto a tractor with a trailer to keep transport routes short.

With an ideal dry matter content of 30 to 35 percent, the chopped corn is then deposited in a large pile on a silo plate. To ensure optimal fermentation, compaction using heavy tractors ensures that the air escapes before the chopped material is covered airtight with foil. “This is the best method to avoid mold formation,” emphasizes the farmer. In the villages, Petersen attaches great importance to consideration - driving slowly through the towns is recommended so as not to make the streets unnecessarily dirty. Warning signs are used when necessary and the streets are cleaned regularly.

Weak harvest expectations are dampening anticipation

A look in the rearview mirror of the last few months shows that the prospects for this year's corn harvest are clouded. According to NDR, the district farmers' associations are expecting a weak harvest, mainly due to the wet conditions in summer. This year's rapeseed and grain harvests were already worse than usual. The corn harvest has begun in the districts of North Frisia and Schleswig-Flensburg, but the situation is tense. “We are cautiously optimistic, but the overnight rains of the last few weeks are taking their toll,” said a regional farmer.

Although the total maize cultivation area in Schleswig-Holstein remains stable at around 174,000 hectares, many farmers are committed to adapting their varieties to the climatic conditions. “We think that by growing other varieties we can respond better to the challenges of climate change,” explains a representative of the farmers’ association. Nevertheless, drivers must be prepared for an increased number of tractors and trailers on the roads as harvest work progresses.

The be-all and end-all: healthy plants and preventive measures

In order to minimize damage to the corn plants, various measures are used, such as seed treatment, which is intended to prevent fungal emergence diseases. Problem plants such as wireworms or frit flies pose additional challenges for farmers. Although fry fly larvae do not always appear in large numbers, their presence can quickly cause major damage. Farmers are therefore well advised to regularly check their fields and take appropriate measures. Plant protection products are available, but their use must be carefully considered.

Another eye is on Fusarium, which has been detected in many maize plants. In order to keep the infestation and other possible diseases such as corn blight at bay, experts recommend agricultural measures that promote good rotting of crop residues and ensure long-term soil quality.

The corn harvest in Schleswig-Holstein is not just a question of the harvest date, but also a challenge that requires a good hand and a lot of specialist knowledge. The farmers here are well prepared, even if the weather and external circumstances can always cause surprises.