Farmers get 3 weeks extension for sowing catch crops in the Netherlands

Minister Wiersma of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN) is giving farmers a 3-week extension for sowing catch crops after maize and other crops, such as potatoes and sugar beets. Instead of before 1 October 2024, farmers must now sow a catch crop by 21 October 2024 at the latest. The decision follows advice from the expert committee, which concluded that the extremely wet spring has caused crops to be sown and planted later and that the growing period until 1 October would therefore be too short. In addition, the experts indicate that due to the unusually late harvest this year, adhering to sowing a catch crop before 1 October in this case does not contribute to the goal: absorbing nitrogen from the soil. This year, farmers throughout the Netherlands have until 21 October at the latest to sow a catch crop. After the harvest of maize, the catch crop must be sown after a maximum of 7 days. For other crops, such as potatoes, an increasing discount applies to the ...