Upper Austria is currently the driest federal state in all of Austria. The farmers are already very concerned, because in addition to fires, there is also a threat of a crop failure. Thunderstorms are expected, but they won’t help agriculture.
Farmers in Upper Austria are suffering from the persistent drought. “The situation is very problematic,” says Helmut Feitzlmayr of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Agriculture.
Especially in grain fields, the risk of field fires increases with the high temperatures. “In dry conditions, one spark is enough,” says Feitzlmayr. This can be caused, for example, by older, poorly maintained farm equipment that gets hot.
Crop failures in wheat
Fortunately, field fires can usually be extinguished quickly, but the heat also brings other serious problems for agriculture: there are fears of crop failures. Feitzlmayer estimates a 15 percent loss for the soon-to-be-started wheat harvest.
Plants in bloom
“But we’re much more concerned about corn and soybeans.” Since these plants are currently in bloom, they are in dire need of rain. It is not yet possible to make predictions about the harvest, but the situation is critical: “Everyone is really praying for rain now.”
Thunderstorm, but not enough rain
The meteorologists predict severe thunderstorms for the coming days, but that is of little use to the fields. It would rain for several days before the ground had recovered and absorbed the water. However, they will be missing in Austria’s currently driest state. “Friday, Saturday and Sunday temperatures will rise above 30 degrees again,” announces meteorologist Christian Resch from GeoSphere Austria.
Source: Krone
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