Hesse: Scarce grass: Odenwald farmers hope for a wet, long winter

Farmers in the Odenwald region of Hesse report a severe shortage of hay and grass after a dry, hot summer. Most farms could mow grass only twice instead of four or five times, and total yield was under a third of normal; maize harvest was also disappointing.

Hay is scarce and expensive, so many livestock keepers must buy feed from other regions.