Farmers looking to save should pay attention: a practical event on no-till technologies is being organized

On April 24 this year, a practical event for the exchange of best practices in no-till farming technologies will be held at the farm of farmer Jonas Venslovas in Kalviai village, Rokiškis district. During the event, farmers will have the opportunity to learn more about efficient and sustainable crop production methods, their benefits for soil and farming operations, as well as available investment and incentive support.

The event, organized as part of the LIFE Integrated Project “Increasing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania,” will feature farmer Jonas Venslovas sharing his experience and insights on the introduction of direct seeding on his farm and the lessons learned from farming on soils with different granulometric compositions. Dr. Jūratė Aleinikovienė, Associate Professor at the Department of Agroecosystems and Soil Science at Vytautas Magnus University, will present scientific insights on the impact of soil tillage technologies on soil structure.

Tautvydas Beinoras, head of the Lithuanian Association for Conservation and No-Till Farming, will give a presentation titled: Practical Elements in Direct Seeding Technology: What to Pay Attention to and What is Worth Knowing for Beginners and Advanced Farmers. Which Crop Rotations Have Proven Effective and How to Achieve a Synergistic Effect of Direct Seeding and Other Agronomic Measures?

Andrius Venckus, representative of the Modernization Fund Project Group at the Environmental Project Management Agency (APVA), will present the results of the compensatory support for direct and strip seeders and common mistakes found in applications. Participants will also have the opportunity to view machinery used in no-till farming.

The detailed event program is published on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, and those wishing to attend are invited to register by filling out the participant form:
👉 https://forms.office.com/e/70NKeshSue
Please note that space is limited.

During the previous No-Till Technologies Field Day, farmers shared important insights about the benefits of no-till farming for both the farm and its greatest asset – the soil – as well as the practical challenges involved. Farmers Romualdas and Vilius Pilkauskas shared their decade-long experience, emphasizing that although the beginning was challenging, over time no-till farming resulted in more stable yields, reduced the need for fertilizers and pesticides, and saved working hours. This experience and the long-term outcomes helped the Pilkauskas family to make a final decision to never return to conventional tillage.

Meanwhile, Tautvydas Beinoras, Chair of the Lithuanian Association for Conservation and No-Till Farming, provided a scientific rationale for this farming method. He highlighted five key principles of soil health: minimal soil disturbance, permanent surface cover, biological diversity, the importance of plant roots, and the integration of livestock into crop fields.

The 2025 Spring No-Till Technologies Field Day will focus on highly practical aspects of implementing the technologies – crop rotations, pest and disease management, and machinery specifics that are useful to hear about and “get a feel for,” both for beginners and experienced farmers.

Soil Condition Improves and Fuel Costs Decrease

Research and farmer experiences show that conservation farming technologies such as strip and direct seeding allow for more efficient farming and contribute to improved soil condition. By applying no-till farming, particularly direct seeding, it is possible to reduce time and resource inputs, including less wear on machinery and reduced need for fertilizers and crop protection products.

Direct and strip seeding technologies contribute to greater farm energy independence and help protect water bodies from nutrient runoff. When the soil layers are not disturbed, channels form in the soil that improve water and air circulation, creating more favorable conditions for seed germination and plant growth, even under unfavorable weather conditions. Additionally, the increased presence of humic substances in the soil strengthens its structure and enhances the retention of water and nutrients.

Farmers Encouraged to Choose No-Till Technologies

To promote more sustainable crop farming, additional payments are granted through the Agro-Environmental Scheme of the Agricultural and Rural Development Strategic Plan:

• €66/ha for agricultural areas cultivated using direct and strip seeding methods

• €20/ha for fields under minimum tillage

Those wishing to learn more about sustainable crop farming are encouraged to attend the No-Till Technologies Field Day in Kalviai. Beforehand, we recommend listening to a podcast episode on sustainable solutions in agriculture:
🎧 https://youtu.be/OaFS-sj0KYA?si=Z0uFMj3Ft0vIb0hn