Agriculture: Too much rain dampens expectations for 2024 harvest

Agriculture: Too much rain dampens expectations for 2024 harvest

The combine harvesters are now driving across the fields again. But the farmers are seeing the first negative effects of the weather – and the association is lowering the forecast.

According to industry sources, expectations for the grain harvest that has begun in Germany are becoming more gloomy. In an initial interim report, the Farmers’ Association spoke of a “moderate start” for winter barley. Fears that grain quality would suffer after the wet spring and early summer appear to have been confirmed. Based on the poor results for barley and initial other results, it is expected that the total amount of 42 million tons of grain expected at the start of the harvest will be significantly lower in 2024.

The farmers’ association also explained that fungal infestation was unusually high in winter barley this year. In most federal states, the barley harvest is still ongoing, as it has had to be interrupted repeatedly due to rain. Only a few areas of other grains have been harvested so far. There are no meaningful figures for rapeseed yet. The upcoming sowing season should, however, be positively influenced by a positive price development on the markets.

The first harvest report is based on reports from the 18 state farmers’ associations on harvested areas and yields achieved, as well as on current yield estimates, as the farmers’ association explained. A second harvest report is due to follow on July 29.

Source: Stern

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