Farmers near Sece and Skrīveri begin harvest season

In early August, the sound of combine harvesters has become increasingly common in fields around Sece parish and Skrīveri. Some farmers are still checking whether their grain is dry enough, while others are already harvesting at full pace.

The "Lībieši" farm needs to harvest about 120 hectares this year. Farmer Aigars Lācis says he only started operating the combine this week, after a thunderstorm had earlier interrupted work. Grain moisture currently stands at around 17-18 percent, but hot weather is helping it dry. Fields in this area have not lodged badly. Lācis notes that less mineral fertilizer was bought last autumn because prices were very high in spring, while fuel still costs around two euros per liter. Winter rapeseed and wheat are being harvested now, oats still need time, peas will follow soon, and beans ripen later. Wild animals have been damaging the farm's small buckwheat plots.

A larger farm, similar concerns

SIA "Skrīveru sēklkopības sabiedrība" manages more than a thousand hectares, and its head, Fabians Heinrihs Fennels, also began harvesting this week. Heavy autumn moisture made sowing winter crops difficult, but later rain improved the situation. Combines should have entered the fields a bit earlier, but there should be enough time to complete the harvest. Hail hit the farm last weekend, damaging some rapeseed fields, though those are insured. Rising fuel costs are also pushing up expenses here.

During the busy season, the farm is helped by six trainees from German universities studying agronomy, who drive tractors and learn about Latvia's farming processes.