German farmers 'association estimates grain harvest in 2020 again lower At the end of June 2020, the German farmers' association (DBV) only estimates the German grain harvest at approx. 42.6 million tons . The forecast is 3.7% below the weak previous year and significantly below the multi-year average. The forecast is based on the information provided by the 18 state associations, based on the area determined by the Federal Statistical Office and its own yield estimates. The regionally different weather conditions have led to considerable differences in the individual growing areas. There was clearly too little rainfall in the northeast and central west. Winter barley and early wheat varieties in particular suffered. Recent falls in rainfall may have prevented even lower harvests, but the early ripening cereals come too late. With a cultivated area of 2.84 million hectares, the wheat takes approx. 45% of the grain area.This year, however, the acreage has decreased by 7% due to unfavorable weather during the ordering phase. The area performance of 74.5 dt / ha is still estimated at the previous year's level. The recent rainfall has secured yields. At 21.16 million tonnes , the wheat harvest lags behind 2019 by 7%. In the DBV's opinion, the winter barley harvest will be 8.7 million tonnes lower, by 11.1%. The causes are a reduced acreage and a 9% drop in yield. The spring barley will deliver a 3% higher harvest due to the area. The DBV estimates the rye harvest to be 9.1% higher and reaches 3.5 million. t. This is largely due to a larger acreage and higher yields. The DBV expects the greatest increase in maize with an increase of 17.4% compared to the previous year. This is largely due to the 11% increase in acreage and 6% higher harvest expectations.However, the prerequisite is that sufficient precipitation falls in the next few weeks and months. A few plots for the silage maize could possibly be branched off from the harvested areas in order to replenish the scarce basic forage stock.
