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Grains: Concern over feed supplies

July 18, 2018 at 12:31 PM , Der AUDITOR
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BERLIN. The German Farmers’ Association (DBV) has published the first crop report with new estimates. Drought is unfolding an enormous impact on yields. There is also high concern that not enough feed is available.

 

Farmers are forced to purchase food for cattle

Although the harvests are well under way and making good progress, the drought is strongly affecting yields. Stable summer weather conditions prompted a quick progress in harvesting winter barley. The harvest of winter rye is also in full swing. Even winter wheat and winter oilseed rape are already being threshed. Drought is, however, posing an enormous challenge and causing complete damage in some areas. Due to wide spread crop losses in parts of Germany the supplies of feed are running low. Corn is also affected by drought. The farmers are forced to buy additional supplies to feed their cattle, which is an enormous financial effort for many.

 

Heterogenous winter barley

The harvest started early and has now almost been completed. Yields are currently estimated at 6 mt/ha – 18% below last year’s average yield of 7.4 mt/ha. Acreage amounts to 1.2 million ha and this year’s production is estimated at 7.3 million mt (2017: 9 million mt). Yields and quality differ considerably, depending on location since local thunderstorms alleviated water shortages in some areas and resulted in average yields, whereas other experiences extensive crop losses.

Winter rye yields drop by 40%

The main producing regions have been strongly affected by drought, which has caused yields to drop by as much as 40% over last year. Average yields are currently estimated at 4 mt/ha, whereas the 5-year moving average is much higher at 5.7 mt/ha. Should yields continue on a similar level thedecrease in acreage to 532,000 ha will result in a production of not even 2.2 million mt (2017: 2.7 million mt).

Winter wheat and winter oilseed rape harvests are well under way

Acreage for winter wheat amounts to 2.96 million ha and for winter oilseed rape to 1.26 million ha. The harvest has started in most parts of Germany, which is 2-3 years too early. Although exact production estimates are not yet possible, a considerable reduction in yields in expected.

 

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