Excess rainfall in Orne will have catastrophic impacts on harvests

You will no doubt have noticed that the year 2024 was one of the ten rainiest years in France since Météofrance made measurements. What consequence does this have for the soils?

The result of this surplus of rain could be observed by everyone in the fields last week in the area of ​​L'Aigle (Orne) and La Ferté-en-Ouche (Orne). Significant flooding in rivers. As a direct result of the rains, the soils remained more wet than normal for months. Unheard of in over 30 years. With more than 1,000 mm on average across the country, the year 2024 was approximately 15% above normal. Normandy is a little below, with only 13% excess rain.

This rainfall is good for the water tables

Pour Julien Ferethydrogeologist and deputy director at Departmental Water Union in OrneHowever, this situation is not exceptional. “The rainfall has been above normal, but every 5 or 10 years, it remains within the norms. » Despite the impressive images of flooded meadows, the region would not have much to complain about. According to the report established by Météofrance, other regions were more rained. Île de France has 36% excess rain. The average is 24%.

The rain compensates for the deficit of previous years

For hydrogeologists, the real “assessment” of rainfall is drawn up at the end of springwhen the water tables have filled up with water. “The groundwater recharge period only begins in January,” explains Julien Feret. For him, the result of this particularly rainy year can only be measured in May 2025.

“The year 2022 was a year of drought, and the winters of 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 were not very rainy either. In February 2023, for example, not a single drop of rain fell in the department! » The rains of 2024 will therefore compensate this deficit.

Today we have a normal or excess water table level

But before joining the groundwaterthe waters made the soils very wet. Not to say soggy…  Pour Jean-Marc Robertfarmer near Villers-en-Ouche (Orne), the situation is very worrying. “At the moment it is impossible to go to the fields. There, we will damage everything, the tractor will descend into the soft earth. »

The earth is fragile

THE semis fall are late and the spreading of basal fertilizers, potash and phosphorus will also have to wait. “It will take at least 8 consecutive days without rain for it to dry. » Wheat and barley that have already been sown are growing poorly.

A 2025 harvest of lower quality

In some areas, fields are transformed into “ mouillères », pools of mud. 2025 risks once again being a “bad year” for cereals. In 2024 prices fell by 10% due to the poor quality of the harvest.

Pour Gilles Lorpinplant production advisor at the Chamber of Agriculture of Orne there is a real “risk on the harvest. There are areas where farmers can no longer go.” Sowing will be late and yields lower for wheat and barley. Worse, the rain also favors some parasites and in particular slugs.

The quality of the harvest will also be affected

Of the cereals watered too much, this means a drop in quality, and therefore a drop in prix. Added to this is an unexpected effect on the work of the land.

“We consume 30 to 35% more fuel because of the condition of the ground. As the earth is heavy, tractors must use more engine power for the same output. »

It is therefore a double penalty for this farmer. “We are starting again on the basis of 2024. A year which saw a drop 25% yield for cereals.

Longer and longer events

What also worries this farmer is the length of these events climatic. Long periods of drought. Followed by long periods of overwatering.

The weather is changing. The cycles are longer. This becomes problematic because nature works best with short cycles.

He adds that “if there were large jellies on flooded ground it would be a disaster. »

Meteofrance figures are accessible here: 2024 weather data

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