Climate change could offer advantages to northern farmers. Now they have their third hit of the year – NRK Nordland

– This year and last year, it was easy to be a farmer. It was a good season, with plenty of sunshine, plenty of rain, and pleasant temperatures.

This is what Øyvind Lien, a farmer from Steigenberger in Nordland, says.

After a record-warm May in some places, the sun is regularly taking a summer break across the country. It has been a good summer for farmers, and the grass is growing well.

In mid-July, several farmers in Nordland have the opportunity to get a whole tree Tons of hay.

Although they experienced this last year, it is not normal. The vast majority of people need two at most.

– It is not common for farmers in the whole county to be able to mow three times, it has only happened in some places. We know that farmers in the south mow three or four times during the season, but now we also hear that Trøndelag is planning to mow three times, says Trond Bjørkås, a member of the board of directors of the Norwegian Farmers Association.

Advantages of being located in the north

Climate change and rising temperatures It has caused many negative consequences worldwide.

However, farmers’ jobs may become easier in the future. Especially if you live in the North, because that’s where the changes will be greatest.

– Temperatures are rising and growing seasons will be longer, which is an advantage for agriculture across the country. New crops can be grown in new areas and over longer growing periods.

it says Reidun Gangstø studies climate and food production at the Institute of Meteorology.

Given the hot weather and droughts that European farmers are experiencing, Ganst said the country’s increased food production as a result of climate change is particularly important.

– The general trend is that the growing season will lengthen across the country, but we rely on northern farmers to ensure good food production.

Steigen farmer Øyvind Lien thinks it’s great to see his colleagues trying triple mowing.

This will not be possible by 2022, when the average monthly rainfall will be 200 mm.

Mowing the same field several times provides better roughage, which means more milk for dairy farmers.

However, not everyone wants to try this strategy.

– The fall could be cold and wet if farmers are not allowed to harvest The fact that the fields were not damaged by the third mowing may be a problem rather than a benefit. Bjorks of the Norwegian Farmers Association said the grass was too long to survive the winter, which could lead to fungal damage, more ice and a poor harvest next year.

After a long winter, a beautiful summer

Øyvind Lien of Steigen said it was good that the summer had yielded good results so far after a harsh winter with lots of ice and snow.

– The grass is not as clean as we would like, and some fields have lost crop yields after multiple ice and weed storms this winter. Weeds are a big problem, but hay is above normal.

Only when the season is over can farmers really determine how good this year’s hay will be.

– So far, things seem to be going well for both grass and potatoes. There have been no major droughts, and no floods or large amounts of waterlogging. What we want now is clearer weather for cereals in eastern Norway, concludes Trond Bjørkås.