Harvest 2024: Schleswig-Holstein draws a preliminary balance after changeable weather

Harvest 2024: Schleswig-Holstein draws a preliminary balance after changeable weather

In Schleswig-Holstein, the weather has a wide variety of challenges for agriculture this year. In the harvest, the effects of a combination of plenty of rain and sufficient sunshine are shown. According to reports from the North Statistics Office, the harvest in 2024 will be a little better than in the previous year, although the level is still below the long -term average.

The summer of 2024 brought farmers in the region a profitable, albeit changeable weather conditions. After a rainy beginning of the year, which flooded many fields and thus cost some of the winter seeds, the later sun and rain period caused promising growth conditions. The preliminary harvest balance indicates that farmers are expected to harvest around 2.2 million tons of grain, which corresponds to an increase of one percent compared to 2023. However, this is still five percent less than the average yield of the past six years.

weather plays a central role

The influence of the weather can be experienced in different ways. While the massive rain was considered problematic at the beginning of the year and partially endangered the harvest, the combination of sun and rain in the second half proved to be advantageous for the growth of the plants. This up and down shows how important the weather is for agriculture and how quickly the conditions can change. Farmers always have to react flexibly and adapt to make the best of the respective Situation.

Numerous farmers in Schleswig-Holstein are delighted when it comes to predicting the upcoming harvest in detail. How the respective fields reacted to the weather conditions varies significantly. In some regions, the harvest is more or less profitable, while others may have to struggle with the consequences of the moisture. The Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Agriculture and the farmers' association have therefore set a joint information event to take a detailed balance sheet on Thursday in Ottendorf near Kiel.

A small survey among the farmers shows that many are optimistic, but concerns are also present. The weather -related yield fluctuates and could still have a negative impact on the financial interests of many companies. In particular, the tense weather conditions could prefer or disadvantage certain locations.

The opportunities and challenges of the harvest in Schleswig-Holstein

This year's harvest is not only a traditional part of the annual farming balance sheet, but also reflects wider climatic trends. The weather seems to be becoming more unpredictable, which brings additional risks for farmers. This could even affect the future of agriculture in the region, since more flexible growing methods and adapted strategies are required.

The preliminary harvest balance is therefore more than just an annual statistics; It is a reflection of reality that farmers and political decision-makers face in Schleswig-Holstein. With the ongoing uncertainty regarding extreme weather events, agriculture could have to change fundamentally in order to meet the new requirements. The development of harvesting and dealing with the challenges will be decisive for the future of agriculture in the coming years.

Influence of the weather on the harvest

The weather plays a crucial role in the harvest yields in Schleswig-Holstein. In 2024, farmers experienced a combination of plenty of precipitation and sunny periods, which positively influenced the growth conditions for many cultures. Nevertheless, there were also challenges: excessive rain at the beginning of the year led to water damage in some regions, which lost part of the winter seeds. Such an imbalance in the weather conditions can have a direct impact on agricultural productivity.

The exact weather situation during the flowering period and the ripening period is crucial for the quality and quantity of the harvest. For example, too much moisture can delay grain maturation and lead to outbreaks of illness, while dry conditions can inhibit growth. According to the German Weather Service, the average temperature in Schleswig-Holstein has increased in recent years, which brings additional challenges for farmers who have to adapt to changed growing conditions.

harvest forecasts and market conditions

The preliminary harvest balance for Schleswig-Holstein shows that the grain harvest in 2024 is expected to be around 2.2 million tons, which corresponds to an increase of around one percent compared to the previous year. This increase, although positive, still remains five percent below the six -year means. The German Farmers' Association emphasizes that such deviations are particularly important in times of global market fluctuations, since they can affect the prices and the income situation of farmers directly.

The oil seed harvest, especially rapeseed, could also be influenced by the changeable weather conditions. Since rapeseed is a popular culture in Schleswig-Holstein, market demand is crucial for the economic stability of farmers. In recent years it has been shown that organic products and sustainable cultivation methods are increasingly in demand, which could open up additional economic scope for farmers, but also requires investments in new cultivation methods.

Current challenges in agriculture

A major concern of agriculture in Schleswig-Holstein is to deal with climate-related challenges. Higher temperatures and irregular rainfall lead to uncertainties that affect income and the quality of the harvest. A study by the Thünen Institute points out that farmers have to develop innovative cultivation methods and strategies in order to deal with the changes. These include, for example, the cultivation of climate -resistant varieties and an improved irrigation strategy.

In addition, many farmers are under pressure to meet the ecological standards while they have to remain competitive at the same time. The trend towards sustainable agriculture is increasing, and consumers demand for locally produced and environmentally friendly foods. These changes not only require adjustments in production, but also in the marketing and distribution of the products to meet the requirements of the market.