Statement from SVP-Dettling in a fact check: is climate change really “not bad” for farmers?

As a result of global warming, the so-called growing season – the time in which a plant grows and blooms – is becoming longer. According to the federal government, the period has lengthened by two to four weeks over the past sixty years. This could be an advantage for certain crops such as vines or for companies in mountain areas, says Christoph Carlen. The scientist heads the research area for crop production systems at Agroscope, the federal agricultural research center. If it is drier, the risk of plant rot or fungal attack can also be minimized.

Another positive effect: new crops can be grown. Wine growers can rely on new grape varieties; soy, millet, quinoa and chickpeas are increasingly growing in the fields. According to the farmers’ association, higher temperatures can also have a positive effect on the yields of animal feed or corn. He could keep more animals without having to buy feed, says SVP National Councilor Dettling.

However, climate change also means that dry periods in the summer are becoming longer. Fields need more irrigation. But because irrigating grassland is hardly economically viable, according to the farmers’ association it is likely that in the long term less feed will be produced, rather than more. Bottlenecks are to be expected in the summer.

The water consumption of plants is increasing, which, according to researcher Carlen, is affecting crops such as potatoes, sugar beets and corn. Potato farmers have been complaining for years about declining crop yields. Irrigation is not possible everywhere and it is therefore necessary to grow plants that can better withstand drought and heat.

Milder winters are also bad for winter grain, says the farmers’ association. Because this depends on sufficiently long cold periods. The increase in late night frost also poses a risk.

Conversely, too much water is also a problem. Heavy rainfall, floods or storms are becoming more common. Longer wet periods in spring or autumn will probably occur more often, says Carlen. Pests can spread more easily.

“At the same time, protecting animals against heat stress and lack of water will become increasingly important to prevent the risk of reduced performance and disease,” the farmers’ association says.

How strongly an agricultural company experiences the consequences of climate change depends on various factors. “Farms at higher and moister altitudes in mountain areas probably have advantages,” says Agroscope researcher Carlen. In contrast, farms in the western interior with drier conditions face significantly more disadvantages.

Dettling has mainly spoken for himself when he says that the positive aspects of climate change outweigh the negative ones. His farm in Hoch-Ybrig is located 1,100 meters above sea level. If he let his gaze wander a little further, he would probably have to reconsider.