>
Photo: SuperAgronom.com
Although no-till farming is gaining traction, not all Polish farmers are following suit. For instance, the Rutkowski farming family has no intention of abandoning plowing. This isn’t due to a lack of trust in new technologies. Quite the opposite. They have been utilizing them for years but view them as tools designed for specific field conditions, as reported by Farmer.pl.
The farm is situated in the Żuławy region, a low-lying area in northern Poland. While a no-till system allows for fewer passes, improves soil structure, and better moisture management, Zbigniew Rutkowski notes that no single technology is suitable for every farm.
“We are not against no-till farming. We use it where it makes sense. However, in Żuławy, there are situations where plowing remains the best solution,” he explains.
The farm employs both techniques. In some seasons, up to half of the land is cultivated without a traditional plow. However, the method chosen is determined by the field conditions, not by preconceived notions.
Read also: Spring soil cultivation: stages, technologies, and common mistakes
The primary challenges for no-till farming in Żuławy are heavy soils and variable weather patterns. The Rutkowski farm has soils ranging from Class I to VI. Especially on the heaviest plots, after a wet autumn, leaving the soil undisturbed can create more problems than benefits.
“In the heavy soils of Żuławy, particularly after a damp autumn, it’s often necessary to invert and aerate the soil. Otherwise, rot can easily set in,” explains Mr. Zbigniew.
Therefore, the farmer doesn’t consider the plow an outdated relic. In his view, it’s still an implement that, under certain circumstances, best prepares the field for the next harvest. However, this doesn’t mean the Rutkowskis exclusively stuck to traditional plowing.
No-till cultivation technology has also been practiced on this farm for years, but as Zbigniew Rutkowski emphasizes, it requires suitable conditions and the right equipment.
“No-till farming yields good results for us, but only when conditions permit. The soil needs to be properly loosened and well-mixed. There’s no room for arbitrary equipment choices here; a disc harrow, cultivator, or tine cultivator won’t suffice. These tools are well-suited for soil finishing or for less demanding soils. For effective no-till farming, a good subsoiler plow is essential,” he stresses.
In practice, the two systems complement each other rather than compete.
After exceptionally wet seasons, as well as during consecutive grain cropping, the traditional plow allows for incorporating crop residues, aerating the soil, and creating better sanitary conditions for subsequent crops. Where conditions are more favorable, for sowing grains after sugar beet or rapeseed, no-till technology is successfully applied.
Alla Husarova, SuperAgronom.com
Read also: Plowing is already ‘losing’ in Kirovohrad region: farmers are gradually changing their approaches to soil cultivation technologies
Be the first to get the latest agronomic news from Ukraine on our Facebook page, Telegram, and subscribe to SuperAgronom.com’s Instagram.