The harvest begins - and it could be above average.
During the harvest press trip of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bavarian Farmers' Association (BBV), Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber and the President of the BBV, Walter Heidl, got a picture of the fruits in the fields of Josef Kari in Piflitz and Andreas Amorth in Obermarbach.
Dachau - The grain harvest is just around the corner in the next few weeks, now only the weather has to play along. “In spite of the sometimes severe weather events in the region and the changeable spring, Bavarian farmers can expect a good harvest overall this year,” said Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber in Josef Kari's fields. After the frosty April, the coldest in 83 years, as the minister said, May brought so much rainfall in time that the grain grew well. The experts are therefore expecting a return this year that is above average overall.
As in previous years, however, thunderstorms with heavy rain and hail led to regionally limited crop failures in fields and meadows.
Once again, according to the minister, the prognoses of the climate researchers have been confirmed that there are more and more frequent extreme weather conditions in our latitudes, which have an impact on plant growth and the work of farmers.
If one had to struggle with many dry areas in the last few years, it is all the more gratifying that good yields and qualities are also emerging this year in grassland.
Now it depends on the weather for the next few weeks: You will determine the yield of these crops.
"Two weeks in summer" would be desirable, according to Hermann Greif, Grain President of the Bavarian Farmers' Association.
The wheat looks splendid
In the fields of Josef Kari and Andreas Amorth, there was a wide range of crops to be seen. Josef Kari's wheat crop is splendid and can produce a good harvest in two to three weeks. The conventionally managed dairy farm with 110 dairy cows and 50 bulls continues to grow maize, grass clover, arable grass and permanent grassland, and here too there is a good yield this year - which is also necessary for livestock farming. The main occupation is 90 hectares.
Andras Amorth's ecological farm in Obermarbach - around 30 hectares in size - is farmed as a sideline as an arable farm, mainly spelled and oats are grown, other crops are soy, flax, hemp and grass clover, arable grass and permanent grassland.
A special feature of the Naturland operation is the contract cultivation with the market company.
The company also has its own oil mill, which is used to produce soy, hemp and linseed oil.
During the field tour, Agriculture Minister Kaniber emphasized the great importance of food security through domestic agriculture.
Bavarian agriculture is a strong pound, "many people have rediscovered this treasure in the corona crisis," said Kaniber.
"Direct marketing is booming."
Farmer President Walter Heidl stated the storm damage caused by heavy rain and hail on more than 120,000 hectares.
In addition to the situation in the fields, Heidl addressed the tense mood among farmers, saying that there was great concern about the future of agriculture in Bavaria.
What farmers need are fair prices, planning security and trust in agriculture.
"This is the only way we can play to our strengths: short distances through regionality, part of the solution for climate protection and preservation of the Bavarian cultural landscape," says Heidl.
Agriculture is a real all-rounder - and they want to show that too.
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