Germany Vs. Palouse

by Maggie Elliot

A visit to Zenner Farm
Photo Credit: Bill Loftus

   

German students pursuing master’s degrees in geography  visited the Pacific Northwest on a late August field trip, stopping in the Palouse to learn about the area. This meeting offered an opportunity for both University of Idaho and University of Kiel students to learn about each others' agriculture. Located in northern Germany about 60 miles from Denmark, the students were accustomed to fields of winter wheat and corn grown in the region, which includes dense forests, rivers and mountains. In comparison, the students regarded the Palouse, with its vast golden fields, as a desert, although the area receives only two inches less rain a year than Kiel. 

“The Pacific Northwest is one of the most interesting destinations for geographers because it has so much to offer.” said Thore Christiansen. “What struck each and every one of us was the amount of open space. In Germany, every square meter has a purpose and is in use.” The geography students started at the Olympic Peninsula, crossed the cascades to the Yakima Valley, drove across the Palouse and explored Yellowstone.

“Many of us thought the Palouse was the greatest part, because although it does not have one highlight, it is a beauty in itself.” said Paul Schutzmann, the student who organized the Palouse visit.

The students noted the larger size of farms in the Pacific Northwest. In Germany, the average size of a farm is about 108 acres. On the Palouse, the average size of a wheat farm is nearly 3,500 acres. Instead of growing legumes as a crop rotation, rye, canola and corn are more popular.

“The students were particularly intrigued by the size of the equipment.” Said Dr. Kurtis Schroeder, University of Idaho assistant professor who accompanied the students on their tour of the Palouse. “While Quadtrac tractors and 50’ seed drills are not uncommon on the Palouse, the size of this equipment dwarfs the scale of machinery used in Germany.”

Agriculture in Germany is quickly evolving due to political pressure. Thore noticed the difference in public opinion towards glyphosate.

“In Germany, the public is very concerned about this chemical. But here I did not catch as much controversy.” he said. Germany approved the use of glyphosate for another 18 months in July, but has been unable to pass an authorization for an extended period of time.

“Farmers are worried about their yields if the chemical is banned, while the public is troubled about possible carcinogens glyphosate poses.” Schutzmann said. In Germany, where no-till practices are more common, glyphosate is an invaluable tool, as the crop residue remaining on the field harbors insects and weeds, stimulating an increased use of chemical application to control pests.

In October, Germany’s federal council of states, the Bundesrat, voted to ban all new gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles by the year 2030. “There is an overwhelming pressure about the sustainability of agriculture, and consumers are very engaged in regulating practices through the government.” Schutzmann said.

 “The best part of the trip was getting to know American culture.” Thore said. “Because the most important part of the country are the people living there.”

“We are grateful to have had this rare opportunity to exchange information with students on an international scale.” Said assistant professor Dr. Norm Ruhoff. “Visits like these not only remind us of how blessed we are with the bounty of agricultural resources within our state, but also provide an educational experience for everyone involved.”