Thuringian Farmers Worry Over Rapid Livestock Decline 🚀
The Thuringian Farmers' Association has expressed concern over the rapid decline of livestock in the region. At a recent gathering of farmers and veterinarians in Erfurt, they revealed that numerous farms are being pressured to abandon animal farming. The main culprits? Ambiguous livestock farming regulations coupled with high conversion costs. Furthermore, farmers contend with low, volatile prices, high feed and labor expenses.
According to the association, Thuringia has witnessed a 25% drop in pig populations and an 18% decrease in cattle over the past decade. In 2013, there were 814,900 pigs in Thuringia, but this year, that number has plummeted to 615,200. The cattle population declined from 334,500 to 273,000 animals during this period. The most significant fall was noted in dairy cows, with a staggering 23% decrease, the report reveals.
The association warned that this livestock decline could take a toll on the farmers' mental and physical well-being, handling fewer animals amidst escalating costs. Moreover, the decline might ripple through Thuringia's agriculture sector and negatively impact various animal species vital to farming.
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Climate Change, Drainage, and Economic Challenges? ☁️🌱💰
While the document doesn't specifically address these issues, general trends among European agriculture may shed some light:
- Climate Change and Drought: Groundwater level monitoring data shows a significant drop during drought years (2018-2021), impacting agricultural productivity and livestock grazing conditions.
- Drainage Practices: Converting peatlands for farming involves extensive drainage, leading to soil degradation and reduced water retention in turn affecting crop yields and grazing conditions.
- Rewetting Initiatives: While rewetting peatlands helps reduce CO2 pollution, it might pose challenges for farmers who rely on them for livestock grazing, forcing them to shift to alternative land uses.
- Economic Factors: Economic pressures like altering market demand or subsidies could influence Thuringia's livestock-rearing practices, though these details aren't presented in the given sources.
In conclusion, while the source document does not directly address the Thuringian Farmers' Association's concerns, climate change, drainage practices, and economic factors likely contribute to the decline in livestock numbers in Thuringia.
