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Extremely dry winter worries farmers
Spring has started very early in many European countries and under particularly dry conditions. A lack of precipitation in the form of rain and snow has not or hardly been able to replenish the much-needed moisture reserves.
In many places in Europe, the winter was warm and with little precipitation. Both in the form of rain and snow. The Netherlands is somewhat of an exception. Although the winter was mild, there was hardly any precipitation. The national average is 208 millimeters, which is almost equal to the long-term average. This is mainly due to a soaking wet January. In February, on the other hand, only 20 millimeters fell.
The fattening season is going exceptionally well
At the beginning of February, arable farmers were able to go onto the land in dribs and drabs to work the soil and plant onions. The manure season also passed off exceptionally quietly. Where normal rain and frost sometimes cause delays of a week or two, the slurry injectors have now been able to run for almost three weeks. It is not always dry everywhere, but overcrowded manure cellars were emptied in good time. Some slurry also flows to arable farming where conditions allow.
In France, among others, the alarm is being sounded about the current precipitation shortages. It is especially dry in the south and southeast. Local governments have introduced a ban on the construction of swimming pools, which will last at least five years. Last week, President Macron called for water conservation at a national level. Hardly any precipitation has fallen in the past thirty days. That hasn't happened since 1959. The groundwater levels and water reservoirs are still at a very low level after the dry year 2022. Meltwater from the Alps and Pyrenees barely replenishes the reserves because there has been extremely little snow.
Lack of melt water
In Germany, the situation is not as dramatic as in France, but the lack of snow also causes concerns. Melt water is an important source of moisture, also for agriculture. The traditionally dry East Germany is clearly feeling the effects of an exceptionally warm winter with little rain.
There is also drought in the United Kingdom, especially the east of England. The country may have the reputation of being wet, but this winter is different. Last year, arable farmers in the country still had a good (grain) harvest despite extreme drought. However, the moisture reserves have not been replenished, so that the 2023 season is already one-nil behind.
Rivers dangerously low
Southern Europe is also experiencing severe drought. Italy in particular is still far from recovering from the driest summer in 70 years, but the next drought is already underway. One in which the canals of picturesque Venice dry up and the rivers are dangerously low. This also applies to major rivers such as the Rhine and Maas, which were frequently in the news last summer. Water levels are particularly low and there is little supply due to a lack of snow. Incidentally, Europe has been struggling with a relatively dry situation for several years, but after the driest summer in 500 years, the situation is now even more pressing.
The dry situation ensures that arable farmers elsewhere in Europe are also getting off to a flying start. Especially for fertilizing and sowing the summer grains. It is still early for sugar beets. The return of a few days of wintry weather - with temperatures slightly below zero and a chance of some snowfall - will dampen the mood this week. The moderate temperatures in the last three months mean that winter cereals and rapeseed are now doing well in Northern Europe. The sowing conditions last autumn were favourable. If the drought continues, the consequences will be noticeable later this spring.
Niels van der Boom
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