Drought in Germany hits corn, sugar beet and feed production

Prolonged drought has severely reduced crop prospects in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The situation has been further worsened by heat, hail and other adverse weather events. Winter barley delivered relatively good yields, while wheat and rapeseed harvests were below average.

The greatest damage has been recorded in late-season crops, including corn, potatoes and especially sugar beet. According to the regional farmers’ association, this year’s sugar beet harvest could become the weakest in 25 years. One potato farm in the region expects yields to fall by 40–50%.

Feed production has also been hit hard. Due to the drought, forage grass yields across Baden-Württemberg have declined by 30–40%, with losses reaching 50% in some areas. Livestock farms have already begun using feed reserves that were intended for the winter season.

The shortage has pushed feed prices sharply higher. The farmers’ association says feed supplies have been largely exhausted in many local markets, while prices are now about 50% higher than a year ago. Farmers are increasingly concerned about having enough feed to carry their livestock through the winter.

The Baden-Württemberg government has announced support measures, including assistance with feed purchases and transport costs, as well as greater flexibility in environmental regulations and access to additional forage land. The regional farmers’ association is also urging Germany’s federal government to introduce an emergency financial aid package for affected farms.

Tags: drought, Germany, sugar beet, potato, weather conditions, corn