The 2023 gave us a sharp reminder that the weather is variable, and the extremes that can be experienced during the period of harvest and storage are not to be underestimated. The below diagram of soil moisture as per the BEETGro model show how extreme 2023 was.
The project consists of two Work Packages.
WORK PACKAGE 1: MODELLING H & S RISK
The first work package of this project will look to analyse the variability in weather during the period of harvest and storage, both on historical data and on climate scenarios. The focus will be both on soil moisture and risks around soil compaction, and on freezing weather events that can cause extensive damage to both harvested and not-yet-harvested crop. These results will be placed in the context of the industry structure.
More details on the Work Package page.
WORK PACKAGE 2: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CLIMATE RISK DURING HARVEST AND STORAGE OF ROOT AND TUBER CROPS.
A second work package in this project is a systematic review of the current knowledge on likely climate impacts on the harvest and storage of root and tuber crops. This will form the basis of an analysis of the communication needs of sugar beet growers around climate risks.
More details on the Work Package page (under construction).
PROJECT FACTS
Collaborators:
- Prof. Kristina Blennow, SLU Alnarp (Funded by Partnerskap Alnarp)
- Prof. Thomas Keller, SLU Uppsala (tentative, subject to further discussion)
Timeline:
- 2024 – 2026.
Funding:
- Funded by NBR and Partnerskap Alnarp
