Summer Rain Challenges Harvest: Significant Losses of Oats, Barley, and Corn
After a spring and summer characterized by intense rain, fields with oats, barley, and corn are facing significant challenges. This summer could end up being one of the ten wettest on record in Denmark, with July already surpassing the average rainfall for the entire month. The persistent rain has had serious consequences for agriculture, with the grain harvest of barley and oats expected to result in significant losses for many farmers.
Per Skodborg, a plant advisor at the agricultural advisory company Sagro, states that the economic pain for several farmers will be significant. “There has been a lot of rainfall, and crops have simply drowned,” he says. “The biggest problem is barley, oats, and corn. The grains are standing very poorly, and in some places, it may not even be worth harvesting with a combine harvester. Corn needs sun and warmth, and that is not exactly what we have now.”
For Skodborg, the season has brought extra workload with advising and discussing with concerned farmers. Even before the rainy summer period, the spring months posed challenges. This year, April was the wettest in 88 years, making it difficult to sow a large part of the grain on time.
“It has been an unusually challenging year, even before the summer. We will see a disappointing yield of barley and oats, and a lack of yield of straw, which is in short supply,” says Skodborg.
Although the upcoming harvest of several grain varieties will be disappointing, consumers do not need to fear significant price increases for rye bread and flour in the supermarket. “You should not expect rye bread and flour to become more expensive. If it does become more expensive, it will only be marginal, as there is no shortage of grain in that way,” reassures Skodborg.
However, there are a few crops that have not been as severely affected by the excessive rain. In particular, rapeseed fields are standing strong across the country.
This year’s weather conditions have underscored the challenges that farmers are facing, and it will be a summer remembered for its extreme weather conditions and the impact they have had on agriculture.