Heat causes sharply uneven harvests across Vorarlberg

Harvest yields for several vegetable and grain varieties in Vorarlberg have varied sharply after this summer’s heat, ORF reported, citing the Vorarlberg Chamber of Agriculture. Soil conditions were a key factor, with maize yields in some regions falling by 70 to 80 percent.

In other parts of Vorarlberg, maize yields were roughly in line with previous years. Across the region, the decline was estimated at 10 to 20 percent, according to Chamber of Agriculture President Josef Moosbrugger. Particularly severe losses were reported in parts of the Walgau. Maize and hay yields were also lower in the Vorderland, including around Rankweil and Thüringen, as well as in the Montafon and Klostertal.

Vorarlberg does not have large-scale grain cultivation, but maize is grown partly as animal feed. Hay production suffered particularly heavy losses. The drought-related damage to agriculture in Vorarlberg was estimated at 18 million euros in August.

Spelt coped relatively well with the heat, Moosbrugger said, although yields were still down by about 10 to 20 percent on average.

Soil conditions shaped regional results

The condition of the soil was the main reason for the regional differences. For vegetables and fruit, access to irrigation was also important. Areas with gravelly or sandy ground were more affected because their porous soil could retain less water.

Yields were more satisfactory where heavier, clay-rich soils could store more water. This included the Unterland and parts of the Hinterwald, where there was also somewhat more rainfall than in other regions, Moosbrugger said.

Pumpkin harvest expected to fall

Soil conditions also affected the pumpkin harvest, with results varying between growing areas. Overall, the Chamber of Agriculture expects the harvest to be 10 to 15 percent below the average of recent years, although some producers will not see a decline.

Pumpkin sizes also varied depending on water availability, said Harald Rammel, who is responsible for vegetable producers at the Chamber of Agriculture. The quality of the pumpkins was satisfactory, he said.

Several types of fruit, vegetables and grain were harvested earlier than usual after the hot summer. Crops that spend longer in fields or on trees ripened faster in the heat, Rammel said. Maize was harvested about 14 days earlier, while the first culinary pumpkins are already being sold ahead of their usual main harvest period at the end of September. Carving pumpkins will follow later.

Properly stored pumpkins will keep well, meaning they can still be used for dishes such as pumpkin soup around Halloween, Rammel said. The optimal storage temperature is about 10 to 12 degrees Celsius.

Vegetable harvesting is currently at its peak, with tomatoes, peppers, carrots and leeks among the crops being gathered. Farmers were relieved that the extreme heat had ended, Rammel said, adding that working in the heat and irrigating fields had created a considerable additional burden.

The apple harvest also began somewhat earlier this year.