Farms showcase new solutions for climate and market pressures

Farmers are seeking new solutions as climate change and economic uncertainty reshape agriculture, ORF reported Wednesday. A farm tour on Friday will give visitors the chance to see nine operations testing innovative approaches.

Visitors will be able to see how agriculture could work in the future at several farms in the region. Organic farmer Valentin Seiringer said adapting to changing conditions was essential.

“Under the current conditions, we have to adapt in every direction, to climate change but also to the markets,” Seiringer said. He uses sustainable soil management methods and will open his farm to visitors during the tour.

The event aims to make new ideas visible and enable direct exchanges between farmers, researchers and other interested people. Organiser Johannes Eßmeister said each station would be limited to 15 to 20 visitors, allowing participants to speak with farmers and ask questions.

Technology and solar panels

New technologies are becoming increasingly relevant to agriculture, said Ines Mühlbachler of Innovation Farm. The programme will include a self-driving mowing robot and other technologies presented at Innovation Farm.

One method already in use protects crops with solar panels. Farmer Markus Wurzer grows berry bushes beneath the panels, which provide shade. He said the heatwave had affected his crops less severely as a result.

Unlike hail protection sheets, which normally have to be replaced every few years, the solar panels can remain in place for 25 years, Wurzer said.

Participants can register for the tour, put together their own itinerary and choose which farms to visit. The event is organised by the Kreislaufregion Melk-Scheibbs association.