Farmers deepened their knowledge on no-till farming
On April 14 this year, as part of the LIFE project “Increasing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania,” the eighth field day on no-till technologies was held at the farm of farmer Augustas Masevičius in Gustainiškiai village (Šakiai district). The event brought together farmers, researchers, and institutional representatives to discuss the practical aspects, benefits, and challenges of direct seeding.
During the event, farmer Augustas Masevičius shared his long-term experience in applying direct seeding, emphasizing improvements in soil condition, more efficient work organization, and the importance of biodiversity on the farm. Professor Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas from Vytautas Magnus University highlighted the importance of increasing organic matter in the soil and the need to deepen knowledge of soil processes when applying no-till technologies. A representative of the Environmental Project Management Agency, Andrius Venckus, presented support opportunities for purchasing agricultural machinery and encouraged farmers to plan investments responsibly in order to ensure efficient use of funds.
Focus on sustainable farming practices
At the field day, Professor Dr. Vaclovas Bogužas from the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Sciences at Vytautas Magnus University shared scientific insights on the key aspects of no-till technology application and its links to regenerative agriculture. The professor emphasized that both direct seeding and regenerative agriculture share one very important aspect—the need to increase organic matter in the soil, especially in the topsoil layer—and the necessity of deepening knowledge of natural processes, as both farming approaches require significant new knowledge, skills, and creativity. According to V. Bogužas, no-till technology requires substantial investments, which later provide a reliable return: reduced labor time, savings in fuel, fertilizers, and plant protection products, and less wear on machinery.
Farmers shared their experience
Farmer Augustas Masevičius, speaking about his farm, emphasized that on his 500-hectare holding, most work is done by family members, with only two employees hired. This spring, on his fields where no-till is applied, meltwater from snow infiltrated into the soil about one and a half weeks faster than in neighboring plowed fields, indicating improved soil aeration without tillage.
Masevičius has been applying no-till for seven years and continues to search for optimal crop rotations and agronomic practices to manage pests and disease pressure. He noted that leaving tall stubble after harvest reduced the attractiveness of fields to mice, and a fox living near one field significantly helped protect crops from rodents, which previously caused major damage. In the near future, he plans to install perches at field edges for birds of prey that could effectively hunt mice. The farmer also shared that standing stubble was one of the most effective measures in controlling slug populations.
Tautvydas Beinoras, Chairman of the Lithuanian Conservation Agriculture Association, stated that in order to improve current agronomic practices, it would be advisable to reduce the use of growth regulators by lowering crop density. According to him, sparser crops prevent plants from overshadowing each other and reduce stem elongation, while also creating better conditions for root development.
One of the participating farmers shared that when applying no-till technology in a green fallow field a few years ago, he lost the payment for green fallow because, according to the rules of the measure, there was no possibility to plow the field, as required. In the assessment of Zigmas Medingis, Advisor at the Crop Production and Green Technologies Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, this case shows that changing farming methods requires a more flexible and systematic evaluation of interconnected agricultural practices. According to Medingis, controlling institutions, when making decisions, should take into account the overall impact of measures applied on a farm, and in cases where lower-level requirements of one measure (e.g., plowing a field) conflict with the higher objective of another (e.g., establishing a crop without additional soil tillage), the final decision should be based on achieved results (e.g., a successfully established no-till crop).
Funding opportunities for farmers
Project manager Andrius Venckus from the Infrastructure and Transport Projects Division of the Environmental Project Management Agency noted that the Agency’s goal is to ensure the most efficient use of available support funds. Therefore, he recommended that before submitting applications for support for seed drills, farmers should assess their farm’s capabilities and actual need for the equipment. He also advised acquiring the seed drill without waiting for the two-year period or risking failing to implement the project altogether after the deadline, which would result in missed opportunities for those who were unable to submit applications in time.
