The changeable weather of the past few weeks with rain, frost and major temperature differences has been both a blessing and a curse for Hessian farmers. “The frost was important for farmers last year, but also at the beginning of this year,” said the Hessian farmers’ association in response to a request from the German Press Agency. Many plants went into dormancy once again. Some farmers have already used the frost to cultivate their fields.
However, waterlogging and flooding would have had a negative impact on the soil. In some regions it will take some time before arable land is even accessible again. In the event of flooding in fields that have already been cultivated, for example with winter grain and rapeseed, the extent of the damage must be seen. “It is still difficult to estimate the effects on the harvest,” says the farmers’ association. Regionally, there was water in fields and grassland areas, which is now slowly draining away again.
“We now have to wait for spring with its weather.” This particularly applies to the crops to be sown, such as summer cereals or corn. Last year’s harvests, for example sugar beet, were made more difficult by frost and flooding. The work here would have lasted until December.
