Heavy rain, heat, drought – climate change has long since arrived in German fields. This not only poses major challenges for agriculture, but also affects our diet. What are the consequences of climate change for grain and fruit growing? How does it affect animal husbandry? And what measures do farmers adapt to the changed conditions?
It gets hotter in Germany. Since the beginning of the weather records in 1881, the middle temperatures have risen by 1.7 degrees Celsius in Germany. But the consequences of climate change are far more complex than general warming. Days with extreme heat and drought are more common. Areas such as Brandenburg and Saxony-Anhalt, in which it is already raining too little, could get even less precipitation in the future. And when it rains, it is often large amounts of water within a short time that do not seep into the ground. The consequences are soil erosion and floods. But bald frosts also increase due to climate change. This is the name of events in which frost occurs without a blanket protecting for plants.
Climate change is already noticeable for agriculture
In addition to the devastating consequences for wild plants and animals, climate change also affects agriculture and animal husbandry. Extreme weather events such as heavy rain, for example, wash out important nutrients and put fields under water. Drought and heat, in turn, let plants dry up or inhibit their growth. Missing are the result. In addition, the plants become more susceptible to pests such as potato beetles and aphids.
In addition, pests, fungi and weeds benefit from the mild winters. An example of this is the brown grate grain mushroom, the spread of which is favored by climate change. Mild winter is also a problem for plants such as rapeseed, barley or wheat, the farmers sow in autumn. These grain need cold winter so that they bloom in spring. If the so -called cold heat is missing, the harvest will be much smaller later. Hot days during the grain blossom in spring also damage the formation of grain grains and thus the harvest.
Hertworting enables plants to thrive over a larger part of the year, but messes up natural rhythms. For example, apple trees have bloomed an average of 15 days earlier than 40 years ago in the past ten years. Due to late frost, the flowers and buds regularly freeze on fruit trees.
Lusters such as pigs, chickens and cattle also suffer from the hot summer days. The temperature increases particularly strongly in stables with many animals. The animals then stop eating and get sick faster – a problem for animal welfare and the livelihood of many farmers.
Agriculture as a co -endicrous of the climate crisis
Farmers are also victims and drivers of the climate catastrophe. According to the Federal Environment Agency, agriculture emitted a total of 62.1 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in 2024. That is almost ten percent of German greenhouse gases. Methane and laughing gas in particular come from agricultural source. Lachgas is about 300 times for the climate, methane around 25 times as harmful as carbon dioxide (CO2).
Methane arises, especially for digestive processes of ruminants such as cattle and sheep. The storage of crap, for example from pigs, releases methane and laughing gas. Lachgas are also created in fertilized fields. Various techniques in animal husbandry and agriculture are currently being tested to reduce these emissions from agriculture in the future. In addition, the farmers also have many other set screws to reduce the climate risks for plants and animals.
Rethinking in the fields
Even when choosing cultivated plants, farmers can react to the changed conditions. Körnermais, Sorghum-Herse from the Sahelzone, soybeans, sunflowers and durum wheat are, for example, heat-resistant plants that will thrive better in the future. Targeted breeds and genetic engineering are also intended to equip plants with a better root system in order to get water from deeper soil layers. In viticulture, the growing regions shift north as a result of the heat waves. The heat -loving wine varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, for example, can no longer be grown only in southern Germany.
Rapeseed, corn, wheat – often you can see the same plant in German fields, as far as the eye can see. The departure of such monocultures would alleviate many negative effects of the climate crisis. An alternative model is the Agroforst. Small crops or animal husbandry are combined with hedges and trees. The positive effects are numerous: light, water and nutrients are better used by the different plants. The floor is better protected from erosion, less fertilizer is necessary, the plants and floors bind more carbon. In addition, an Agroforst can be scenic for the recovery of people. Such cultivation systems are mostly economical through the sale of wood and fruit.
There are other options for soil protection for traditional fields. A change between different plant species, wild herbs that grow in the fields all year round, and a protective mulch layer support, for example, the formation of humus. A floor with more humus can store more water and nutrients. Incidentally, the floor binds more carbon and needs less fertilizers – the technology also protects the climate. Growing methods that intervene less into the soil, i.e. no plow and use it as light as possible, also protect the soil from erosion.
With irrigation against the drought
In the case of drought and heat, arable plants can help artificial irrigation. In 2019, 506,480 hectares of arable land were already irrigated in Germany. That is 36 percent more than in 2009. Most of the time, farmers use the so -called mobile drum affection, in which sprinkler systems are pulled over the fields by tractor. The technology is quick and flexible, but has water losses of up to 40 percent. The drip irrigation is more sustainable, in which water is dropped in drops over a longer period of time and a maximum of 20 percent of the water is lost. So far, this elaborate process is only worthwhile for fruit like strawberries that farmers can sell for a high price. Stationary gyro systems in large fields are also relatively lost, but they are also expensive.
In addition, artificial irrigation can protect crops from frost damage. For example, farmers on the Niederelbe near Hamburg are artificial. Freezing the water and the energy that becomes free prevent the flowers from freezing to death. In the future, however, water becomes even more scarce as a resource and irrigation in agriculture. Therefore, modern techniques, seasonal water storage and sustainable water management are necessary.
Adapted animal husbandry
Pet owners have to protect stables from increasing heat. So that cows, pigs and chickens do not suffer from the extreme weather, farmers should choose cool locations with less solar radiation for new stables. In addition, and with existing stables, thermal insulation, air conditioning systems and green roofs can protect against heat inside.
For such long -term and sustainable adjustments to the consequences of climate change, courage is needed for further ideas and money. It is therefore important for farmers that they can sell their products in the long term and for a fair price.
