Follow the harvest from field to fork. 

We are facing yet another crucial harvest year for Swedish farmers, for the nation’s food production, and for the country’s overall preparedness. As of today, at the beginning of July, it looks like we are heading for a good harvest on a par with, or just above, the ten-year average.

Per Germundsson, Head of Grain Business, Lantmännen

What is a harvest year?

A harvest year extends from autumn sowing to harvest. The year begins in September when the soil is tilled and autumn crops such as winter wheat and rapeseed are sown to germinate before the winter dormant period. When spring and warmth come, they begin to sprout again. When the soil is dry enough, it is also tilled for a sowing of spring crops such as barley, wheat and fodder corn. During the summer, the crops germinate and in August they begin to be threshing. The harvest is then taken to the grain reception, and the fields are prepared for the next growing season.

Towards harvest - from north to south

Here you can read about what the work towards this year’s harvest has looked like for some of our members during the late spring.

Johan Söderberg

Jämtland
All spring crops have been sown, about two weeks earlier than usual. The first fields of spring wheat look very good and even. But it has taken time for the crops to emerge because it has been cold. There has been enough moisture, so everything has germinated, but development has been slower than usual. Today it has hailed, snowed, and rained at intervals. We are hoping for sun and warmth ahead. We have recently finished sowing green fodder and have a bit of grass seed left to sow. The forage machines are out and will get a check-up before harvest. The first silage harvest will likely be earlier than normal if the warmth comes now after the rain. 

 

Anna Bodin

Uppland
The winter wheat is generally looking very good. The spring cereals have suffered a bit from frost and aphids but are looking good now. We sowed very early this year – about a month earlier than we usually do. The crops have tillered very well. The rapeseed was sown on May 7 and is emerging nicely. Right now, we're focusing on weed control and delivering winter wheat for seed to Skara. Compared to previous years, all the crops are looking good, and today’s 15 mm of rain is very welcome. 

 

Stefan Hansson

Södra Skåne
Overall, the fields are looking good. We've had some much-needed rain – 33 mm over five days – which is very positive. The temperatures have been just right, and the crops are thriving. Growth is progressing well and is slightly ahead of the typical development for this time of year. The current focus on the farm is plant protection work, supplementary fertilisation, building maintenance, and preparations for the upcoming harvest.