Farmers' Association: Drought and bureaucracy are hitting farmers in Baden-Württemberg massively

Call for rapid drought aid

According to Rukwied, the announced measures include more flexibility on environmental regulations and the provision of additional fodder areas. Specifically, he said: "sowie mehr Spielraum bei Umweltauflagen und zusätzlichen Futterflächen." This is intended to help farms in the short term to compensate for the lack of livestock feed.

According to the Farmers' Association, the ongoing drought is affecting several crops. In Baden-Württemberg, significantly lower yields for corn, potatoes, and sugar beets are expected this season. These crops are particularly sensitive to heat and water scarcity.

Impact on crop cultivation and livestock farming

In addition to arable farming losses, the feed situation is causing particular concern for livestock owners. Since the grass on the pastures has dried up and the first cut in many places was lower than usual, farms must purchase feed or resort to alternative areas. Additional fodder areas are intended to partially close this gap.

The association also points to long-standing structural problems: many farms were already under economic pressure before the drought. Rising production costs, low producer prices, and a high bureaucratic burden have shrunk margins. The current weather conditions are significantly amplifying these trends.

Structural problems exacerbate the crisis

From the Farmers' Association's perspective, the combination of extreme weather and administrative workload is further worsening the situation. Approval procedures, documentation requirements, and regulations from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy cost time and money that is lacking on the farms. Rukwied is therefore calling for tangible de-bureaucratization.

The Farmers' Association has already initiated political talks at the state and federal levels. With a view to the harvest balances and feed supply, the association expects signals from Stuttgart and Berlin shortly. Otherwise, the warning goes, the number of farm closures will continue to rise.

Farmers in other federal states are also observing similar developments. Comparable drought phases have repeatedly led to harvest losses and aid programs in recent years. The Farmers' Association sees the accumulation of such events as a sign of climate change that is structurally altering agriculture.

Political response and outlook

Consumers in Baden-Württemberg could feel the impact of the harvest shortfalls for certain products. Lower harvest quantities of potatoes and sugar beets are generally reflected in producer prices. Consequences are also possible in milk and meat production if feed is lacking.

The Farmers' Association announced that it will maintain pressure on policymakers. Rukwied emphasized that it is now about the existence of many family farms and that quick decisions are necessary. The coming weeks, until further crops are harvested, are considered decisive.