Farmers fight against frost; fruit growers hope that the losses will not be as big as last year / Article

Blueberries try to save with watering

At four in the morning, the thermometer outside showed -3 degrees. At the “Abullāči” farm, work was in full swing since midnight to save four hectares of bush blueberries and one hectare of cranberries from the frost.

“At the moment, anti-frost watering is taking place around us with the principle that a layer of ice is frozen around the bushes and 0 degrees remain inside the flower, all this is done with water. The consumption is high – about 30 cubic meters per hectare per hour,” said Emils Kantāns, representative of “Abullāči” .

The watering system can protect the plants 100% if the temperature is not below -5 degrees, if there is more frost, then losses are inevitable.

“Last year’s May frost was particularly extreme, with some areas losing up to 100% of the crop. We had fields where we lost 50%, there were some areas where we lost 100% of the crop. Right now, the next night promises to be cold , but we must hope that this May will not be as cold as last year,” Kantans admitted.

Fruit growers and berry growers – the highest risk category

Other berry and fruit growers also indicate that there is a fear of frost, especially considering that it promises to be even more severe on Thursday night.

“Currently, the forecasts of metrologists came true quite accurately. In Northern Vidzeme and Latgale, the frost was, as predicted, -2 or -3 degrees,” said Mareks Bērziņš, deputy chairman of the board of “Zemnieku Saeima”.

The biggest concern is for fruit growers, berry growers, they are the biggest risk category.

If the temperature reaches the predicted -5 degrees, then apple trees, plums, cherries, cranberries, blueberries and strawberries will suffer the most.

Farmers who have large fields with these crops have no solution – they will only have to watch how the blooming fields freeze.

“Farmers can still use smoke candles; there are separate methods for smaller areas, but there are no real solutions for larger areas. Farmers themselves need to assess the risks.

Maybe it is necessary to grow crops that are frost-resistant, maybe the yield is smaller, but more frost-resistant,” said Mareks Bērziņš.

Last year, the big frosts caused hundreds of thousands of euros in losses to farmers, part of which was compensated by the state. Whether the farmers will have to ask for help this year, the next night and the following frosts will show.