Laufener Landweizen (Laufen wheat)

Laufener Landweizen is an old variety of winter wheat from the border region of Rupertiwinkel and the foothills of the Salzburg Alps. It is robust in growth, winter-hardy and is considered comparatively undemanding. Laufener Landweizen is considered to be unbred, i.e. it has largely retained its original properties. Unlike modern wheat varieties, it has awns and is considered to be well adapted to the local climate with its high precipitation. It also grows very tall, up to 2 meters, and prefers a wide plant spacing or low seed density. The stalks are surprisingly wind-resistant if the wheat is not fertilized too heavily and thus grows more slowly. The best results can be achieved with weak to moderate fertilization, for example manure fertilization, and a low seed density of 130 to 160 kg/ha. The amount of space available on the field encourages a species-rich wildflower flora, as long as the cultivation is organic. Accompanied by colorful flowering wild herbs, cultivation provides a habitat for many endangered plants and animals and is an enrichment of our landscape. The autochthonous wild herbs are harvested, propagated and reapplied to fields by local organic farmers. In 2017, yields of Laufen farm wheat averaged 2.3 tons per hectare, about 50% less than comparable organic wheat in the area. Good sites can yield up to 3 tons. The yield of straw, which is important for organic cultivation, is at least twice as high. The flour is of good quality and has good baking properties. In addition, the Laufener Landweizen stands out for its ingredients. Unlike modern varieties, which seem to have lost valuable nutrients at the expense of high yields, Laufener Landweizen is rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements.