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Is a solution in sight?

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Is a solution in sight?

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From: Kathrin Gerlach

Is a solution in sight?
The fate of farmer Wast B. from Dorfbach is moving: he has to leave the farm by December 31st. Until then, he will look after all 115 animals and help with winter service. He is looking for a new stable for 30 dairy cows and ten pregnant heifers. © Kathrin Gerlach

The fate of farmer Wast B. from Dorfbach (Bad Endorf) moves people: many have contacted him, comforted him and offered their help. Has he already found a solution for his 40 animals?

Bad Endorf – “It’s crazy when you read something like that,” says Franz from Styria. He had a stable and even a house for farmer Wast B. (Name changed by the editors) from Dorfbach. Albeit 300 kilometers away, even if only for the winter. The farmer from Bad Endorf was left alone after his marriage broke up 16 years ago and fought for a long time to preserve the farm. Now that he has gone through all the court procedures, he has to leave his house and yard. He is allowed to take 30 cows and ten heifers with him. But he doesn’t have a stable for his animals.

Had similar experiences

The 49-year-old Franz can imagine how the 66-year-old Wast is feeling: “You build up a lifelong dream and work hard for it.” And then it is destroyed overnight.” The Styrian has experienced something similar. He once had 170 cows. Not anymore today. Only two empty playpens left. He built one just nine years ago. But three years ago the woman ran away from him. Because all he did was work. That has all changed. He also fought for a long time, he says in a telephone conversation with OVB. “But at some point you give up because it doesn’t make any sense.”

Franz sold all of his animals and paid off his wife. Being a farmer was always his dream. But it’s over. Today he works as a field sales representative for an agricultural technology manufacturer. Next year he will sell the desolate farm. But until then, the Dorfbach farmer and his animals could have temporary quarters with him, he says.

“If the marriage is broken, the farm is broken”

Farmers know: “If the marriage is broken, the farm is also broken.” Many have called farmer Wast B. from Dorfbach in the past few days or contacted the OVB. The response to his fate is great. “Some give me comfort, others give me support, others tell me what happened to them after the divorce,” says the 66-year-old. He is overwhelmed by the great solidarity and genuine compassion: “I would never have thought that.”

A farmer from the Ebersberg district thanks the OVB for taking up the topic: “Farmers are often portrayed as millionaires because only the value of the farm, the land and the machines is seen.” But you can’t take a bite out of that.” Similarly This is also the situation at Wast: the farm in Dorfbach is estimated to be worth more than six million euros. He farmed it for 45 years. Fought for a long time to preserve agriculture. Now he has to go.

The map shows the places from which offers of help for farmer Wast B. came.
The solidarity with farmer Wast B. from Bad Endorf is enormous. Offers that take in animals come from everywhere. In Leoben in Styria there would even be a stable and a house available. © Verena Klinger

Many offers, but also a solution?

There would be space in a playpen in Traunreuth. His animals could also move into Hutthurm near Passau. Farmers from Neukirchen still need a few dairy cows for their large freestall barn. Farmers near Kirchseeon are looking for a temporary solution until their son takes over the farm. And then there are some empty stables in the area that Wast B. has heard about. But he doesn’t know whether they can be reactivated.

A spokesman for the Rosenheim Office of Agriculture says there is no stable exchange. If a farm position becomes available, word quickly spreads among the well-connected farmers, as the Maschinenring has learned. However, free stables are a rarity in the region.

The countdown is running

The Bad Endorf farmer now has a whole list of phone numbers and lots of options. Is there a solution for him? He will explore this in the next few days, look at all the offers on site and talk to his professional colleagues. He doesn’t have much time for that. Not just because he looks after his 115 animals – dairy cows, heifers and calves – alone. Also because he is active in winter service. But especially because he has to be out of the farm in just a few days. Until December 31st. The countdown is running.