Europe's heatwave stunts Austrian crops, prompts early cattle slaughter

Austria's agricultural sector is experiencing significant difficulties due to the prolonged European heatwave, with farmers reporting stunted crops and the early slaughter of cattle. Johann Fessl, a dairy farmer and head of an association of pasture-based cattle farmers in Upper Austria, noted the sustained high temperatures and lack of precipitation have led to shortages of water and grass on Alpine pastures, forcing farmers to bring cattle down to barns earlier than usual.

This situation increases farmers' costs, particularly if they need to purchase additional feed. Consequently, some are opting for early slaughter, and the waiting lists for slaughterhouses are already long. Fessl mentioned that some pastures are already devoid of cattle, with the severity varying by location.

The impact extends to crop yields, with AgrarMarkt Austria forecasting a 19% reduction in the grain harvest for the year. Corn, which is particularly water-intensive, is also suffering; farmer Roland Radner reported cutting down most of his corn early due to poor yields, noting the plants are yellow and desiccated. In greenhouses, growers Barbara Stemberger and Fritz Hummer are dealing with blossom-end rot on their tomatoes, a condition exacerbated by the extreme heat, rendering much of their harvest unsellable despite being edible after trimming.

However, not all crops are negatively affected. Stemberger noted that carrots are thriving exceptionally well this year due to the heat.