– This is what I am passionate about and what I want to continue doing. It is primarily the love for producing food that drives me, says Andreas Næss. The 28-year-old bought a farm and land in Sarpsborg three years ago. He had a tough start to farming life. The pandemic and the general rise in prices have hit him hard. He was very close to giving up. – It was this food wheat that saved the operation this year, says Næss as he shows off a handful of wheat. The yellow gold has saved the operation. Photo: Stein Ove Korneliussen / news Lost money because he lacked money Historically, Norway has been shielded from the large cost increases in agriculture. But in recent years the situation has reversed. – Now we have been through a cost tsunami that none of us had foreseen, says the head of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, Bjørn Gimming. – Taking over a farm, acquiring input factors and making investments creates challenges in terms of liquidity, says the head of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association. Photo: Arne Sørenes / news The young farmer made a large investment when he bought the agricultural property, and the savings account quickly ran out. Then rumors began to circulate about increased fertilizer prices. – But we couldn’t afford to buy until the prices went up. That led to us having to buy it the following year for NOK 250,000 more, says Næss. The burden of price increases is greater for the newly established than for those who have had the opportunity to build up over several years. – Poor liquidity is probably something that young farmers are most familiar with. Here, it is important to have good agreements with your financiers. Then it is a task for us to ensure good finances through the political work we do, says the farmers’ union leader. – Has been optimal Math wheat production is in the very top tier this year. It is expected that the grain farmers will supply at least 80 percent of Norwegian consumption. Previously, the proportion of Norwegian grain was between 60 and 65 per cent. – We have had a nice spring, a summer with suitable rainfall and good harvesting conditions, says Jens Krogstad, leader of the Akershus farming association. In Viken, the grain mills are almost full, and there is still a lot of grain stored around the farms. – Much of what was sown last year, the autumn wheat, has gone to food, and the spring food grain has also taken off. It has worked really well this year. It has been very optimal, says Krogstad. Passion The good harvest was the salvation for Næss. Andreas Næss grows 1,050 acres of grain at Greåker in Sarpsborg. Photo: Stein Ove Korneliussen / news – For us, it has been absolutely crucial that the grain crops were good for us to even consider continuing, he says. The historically high agricultural settlement has also provided a long-awaited increase in income for farmers. The 28-year-old in Sarpsborg is ready to invest further. – I envision a life as a farmer. It is a passion.
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The corn harvest of the times in Eastern Norway – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
