Zugpferdeeinsatz in der Landwirtschaft: Motivation, Arbeitszeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit

Summary

In recent years a growing interest in using draft horses for farm work in Germany and
Europe can be observed. However, precise data concerning the performance of modern
horse-drawn technology are currently rarely available. In a field study labor time
requirements were measured on four farms and one market garden with regular use of
draft horses. In addition, farm managers were interviewed in order to learn about their
intentions to use draft horses nowadays. On the basis of the gathered data, area
performance (ha/h) and total labor time requirements (AKh/ha) of several field procedures
were processed. A comparison with current tractor data shows that although the
tractor performs better in all field procedures, there are merely little differences in crop
cultivation such as pasture or weed harrowing. Considering all arising costs the use of
draft horses can, under certain conditions, even achieve a better profitability than the
use of a comparable tractor.