"You need dry periods in the spring," says a fruit grower from Zug

March is likely to break all records in terms of low rainfall. The situation is of particular concern to agriculture. But the drought not only brings disadvantages, and it can be avoided, as a Hünenberg fruit grower informs.

There hasn’t been such a dry March for years, and in some areas for decades. It’s now been more than four weeks since the last significant rainfall was recorded. The water levels of the lakes are correspondingly low, and the snow melt in the mountains has not really begun yet, due the continuing cold nights. As a logical conclusion "there’s now an urgent need for water," says Martin Pfister, Rector of the Schluechthof Agricultural Education and Advisory Centre (LBBZ) in Cham.

"It's actually an extraordinary situation. Due to the drought, vegetation is generally lagging behind this year."
But the situation is not yet dramatic, insofar as there is still plenty of groundwater available due to the rainy summer of 2021. "And in the event that there’s a lot of rain in the near future, the soil would also be able to absorb the water." But if April remains as dry as March, it could become precarious for agriculture. "Above all, the weather conditions in May and June will be decisive, especially for the fruit and grain harvest," says Martin Pfister.

There’s a threat of feed shortages for livestock
The availability of fodder for livestock is likely to also become an issue, adds Raymund Gmünder, Vice-Rector at the LBBZ: "As shallow root plants, grasses are particularly affected by a lack of rain." In this context, he mentions the current experimental fertilisation project using the so-called Cultan Process, which is currently being carried out at the LBBZ in connection with the final thesis of a graduate of a University of Applied Sciences.

Using a special machine, a liquid fertilizer concentrate is thereby released into the soil under pressure and at targeted locations. Through a deposit effect, the soil is ultimately supplied with nutrients over the long term – even if there is no rain.

Samuel Boog in the field. The soil is dry, so it can be worked well. But nature now urgently needs some precipitation
Through irrigation and covering sensitive crops with fleece: the Boog farm in Hünenberg – here with Samuel Boog in the picture – is prepared for such an extraordinary low rainfall as at present.
                                            Photos: Matthias Jurt
 

If fertiliser is applied as usual, the active ingredients remain on the surface as long as there is no precipitation– and thereby remain ineffective. "For the time being, however, the Cultan Process would only be profitable for contractors, not for private companies," says Raymund Gmünder, putting things into perspective.

Farms know how to help themselves,
The exceptional weather conditions also concern the farms themselves, of course. But the current dry period does not only have disadvantages for them – the soil can be worked well in this condition, and be prepared for cultivation. "Dry times in spring are important for us," says Jonas Boog from the farm of the same name in the Hünenberg Reuss plain, which is one of the most versatile cultivation companies of its kind in the canton. Among other things, the family business cultivates berries, salads, flowers and vegetables on a large scale.

"In the case of above-average dry periods, we are set up accordingly, and can specifically irrigate if necessary," says Jonas Boog. In order to counteract the rapid drying of the soil, certain crops are covered with fleece. This delays water evaporation and moderates the temperature, which, in view of the nights still being cold, is particularly advantageous.

The fruit grower is much more concerned about possible weather extremes, such as those that occurred last year. “The big question for us is always ‘What's next?’ A prolonged rainy season would be much more problematic for our company than the current drought. A more balanced weather situation would be ideal for nature."

And, finally, there is still a threat of a late frost at the present time, which can occur until mid-May. "Some cultures are already well advanced. For them, frost at the wrong stage would be very bad," says Jonas Boog. "In addition, the winter has generally been too mild, and this has favoured pests, which can become another challenge for the crops."

Water freshly planted trees particularly well
The currently dry soil is mainly a problem for trees. They use up their accumulated water reserves much faster than in past, with less drier early summers. Freshly planted trees are particularly affected at the moment, writes the Zug-based horticultural company Landtwing in a guide to its customers. For a good growth in the substrate alone, young trees need more water than an already grown tree. Young trees should always be supplied with sufficient water, especially in the first five years, because it takes about that long for the roots to reach deep enough to survive a longer dry period unscathed.