Sunflower harvest in Saxony-Anhalt: higher yields despite drought!

Sunflower harvest in Saxony-Anhalt: higher yields despite drought!

The sunflower harvest in Saxony-Anhalt has begun and farmers are optimistic about the coming season. “The yields are likely to be higher than last year,” say the farmers. Saxony-Anhalt, a real hotspot for growing sunflowers, has planted around 16,900 hectares this year. Compared to 2020, this is more than a tripling of the cultivated area, which was then only 4,700 hectares. The largest cultivated area was recorded in 2022 at 22,700 hectares, and the Börde and the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district are among the most important growing areas in the state, as MDR reports.

However, there are not only rays of sunshine on the horizon. Drought and a lack of rainfall could affect the harvest balance this year. Although sunflowers are known as a climate-friendly alternative because they are extremely heat and drought tolerant, the weather is still a crucial factor. Especially in regions with low rainfall such as Saxony-Anhalt, many farmers are turning to sunflowers again, as other crops often do not produce the desired yields.

The change in cultivation

The switch to growing sunflowers often happens out of necessity, not because the plants are overly attractive. The complex pressures from crop protection and the challenges with other crops are driving many farmers in this direction. Around 360 companies in Saxony-Anhalt have already specialized in the cultivation of sunflowers, which impressively shows how much demand has grown - also triggered by international events such as the war in Ukraine, which led to an increase in demand for sunflower seeds in 2022, like MZ determines.

Sunflowers also offer a valuable source of income, as their oil is not only valued as a high-quality cooking oil, but is also used in margarine production. However, marketing sunflower seeds is always a challenge because prices fluctuate greatly and producers often have to react flexibly to market developments. These uncertainties do not make it easy for farmers to gain clear planning security.

Practical knowledge about sunflower cultivation

For anyone who would like to delve deeper into the topic: Sunflowers require fine, well-ventilated soil and should be planted in warm locations. It is advisable to loosen the soil thoroughly and avoid waterlogging. Due to their deep roots, they have a high water requirement, which is between 350 and 400 mm, especially during flowering times, as MyAgrar explains. Sowing is ideally done from the end of March and the plants are frost tolerant down to -5°C.

Harvesting takes place when the grains have a moisture content of 15-20% and the basket has turned brown in color. To do this, farmers use special harvesting technology to collect the sunflowers efficiently. To ensure the quality of the yield, good storage is important: the grains should have a moisture content of around 9% after harvest.

In summary, the sunflower harvest in Saxony-Anhalt is in full bloom, with challenges that need to be overcome, but the future sounds promising. Come sun or rain, farmers are ready to make the best of the current situation and adapt their fields to the challenges of the climate.