News Drought 2018
Dairy farmers see animal feed dry up
In the northeast of the European Union (EU), the problems due to the drought are increasing. Dairy farmers are particularly concerned with the concerns surrounding animal feed production. In Norway it even gives the prospect of more slaughter in the autumn.
It is difficult to get a picture of where the problems are greatest and what they look like. Overall, however, it can be said that the problems in the northeast of Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are increasing daily. In Poland, for example, rain fell in various places last week, which was good news for the crop. That was not the case, however all of Poland and there are still dry areas there.
Feed is running out
"In Sweden, farmers face major problems when collecting of feed† As a result, cows are taken to slaughter; much earlier than intended," reports a newspaper in Sweden. A dairy farmer in Olofstorp states that he has to bring 18 of the 120 cows to slaughter. This is because the feed runs out too quickly. According to the newspaper, this is only 1 of the many companies dealing with this situation.
The desperate ranchers were promised by the government that help would arrive, but where and when is not clear. In order to do something yourself, the 'Foderhjälpen' group was created on Facebook. In 1 week, 25.000 members were added. The group connects Swedish farmers with feed suppliers in Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, England and the Baltic States.
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In Sweden, the current summer is compared with that of 1992. And in neighboring Norway, the situation is not much better. There are also major concerns about animal feed stocks. Farmers indicate in the media that they have to slaughter more animals in the autumn, because there is insufficient feed available.
40% of the normal harvest
"The amount of grass harvested at this point represents only 40% of a normal season." The hope that more will grow is small. This is because the fields are so dry that they probably barely provide any grass. In Norway, the season has already been described as the biggest Norwegian animal feed crisis in recent decades.
Near Berlin, however, the situation does not appear to be much better. The farmers there wish it would rain soon, so that the crops might still be saved. It is in sharp contrast to Francewhere too much rain fell in places. It has already been described as the 'German Dust'.
Thomas Gaebert, a farmer in the Berlin area who does both arable and dairy farming, tells Bloomberg that about 33% of his wheat crop was lost to the drought. And the rapeseed harvest also shows a halving of the yield. Gaebert is concerned that there is not enough feed to feed the 2.500 cows.
Inquiries show that not all dairy farmers experience the same stress as Gaebert. The differences in roughage stocks per company are large, which makes it extra difficult to estimate the scale of the disaster.
Copa-Cogeca asks for help
The ongoing drought is ahead Copa Cogeca, the European umbrella organization for representatives of the agricultural sector, a reason to ask the EU in advance to start paying out the funds from the Common Agricultural Policy early.
Although concerns are still limited in large parts of the EU, the drought is proving to be a disaster for a number of areas. This lays a foundation for rising feed prices, which in the past was an important brake on milk production.
Herman van den Pol
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