Bavarian farmers show uneven preparedness for crisis scenarios

A large-scale survey conducted by the Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture has revealed varying levels of crisis preparedness among more than 16,000 agricultural holdings in Bavaria. The study, carried out between March and May 2026, assessed how farms would manage potential disruptions such as power outages, water shortages, diesel scarcity, and broken supply chains.

Findings indicate significant disparities based on the type of livestock managed. For instance, while 95.5% of poultry farms have emergency power supplies, only 74.2% of cattle farms possess such systems. Feed reserves also show a stark divide: 86.1% of cattle holdings have more than 14 days of feed stored, compared to just 26.5% of poultry operations.

Regarding water access, approximately 89% of farms are connected to the public water network, while 10% rely exclusively on private wells. The Bavarian State Chancellery noted that dairy farming faces unique challenges due to the necessity of timely milk collection, which could be compromised during prolonged power outages or supply chain interruptions.