Germany's DBV farmers' association on Monday estimated the 2014 winter wheat crop would reach almost 25 million tonnes, versus 24.6 million in 2013. It estimated Germany's 2014 winter rapeseed crop at about 5.7 million tonnes, unchanged from 2013. German grains overall are in good condition in mostly favourable weather, DBV President Joachim Rukwied said in a harvest report.
German farmers expanded winter wheat plantings for the 2014 harvest by about 3 percent on the year but wheat conditions vary around the country, Rukwied said. Wheat plants in north Germany, a key grain belt for exports, were in good condition but plants in the south were showing clear signs of dryness stress, he said. But both wheat and rapeseed benefited from Germany's mild winter which meant low frost damage, he said. Rapeseed flowered early in April and a continued return to rapeseed yields in the long-term average is hoped for following very small crops in 2011 and 2012, Rukwied said.
Germany's 2014 grain harvest has started with the cutting of winter barley, although overcast weather in recent days means harvesters have only been able to start widespread work in the south west of the country and in the eastern state of Brandenburg, he said. It is hoped more expanded barley harvesting will get underway in the coming days if sunshine prompts winter barley to ripen.
