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Wessela

Introduction

Young farmer Roman Wessela runs his family farm in Crostwitz, Saxony (Germany), according to the principles of regenerative agriculture, which aims to restore and maintain soil ecosystems. In 2019, Mr Wessela began his first experiments with no-till farming. Two years later, he switched to no-till on a large scale. Today, he has already achieved several successes and can certainly inspire others to switch to regenerative agriculture, thereby protecting their own farms from the effects of climate change while also contributing to climate protection.

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Name of the farmer/ entrepreneur or other initiative
Land- und Forstwirtschaftsbetrieb Roman Wessela (“Agricultural and forestry business Roman Wessela”)
Year of establishment of the initiative
The family business was established in 1991.
Location
Crostwitz, Saxony, Germany

Case description

Total area or number of animals

The farm comprises 1030 ha of arable land, approximately 65 ha of grassland and 240 ha of woodland.

There is no livestock farming, however, there are collaborations with livestock farms so that the land is still grazed.

Main agricultural activity and Multifunctional activities

The main focus is on arable farming.

Forestry is also practiced, and various services are offered in different areas. There is also a grain warehouse for storing the farm’s own harvest.

Critical challenges of the farm/ the region

The soils are very diverse, the water supply is particularly difficult in some areas, and uneven rainfall and increasing hot spells are challenging the farm. It is therefore important to improve the infiltration capacity and water retention capacity of the soil.

CSA Activity

Reason for engaging in CSA/ Triggering moment for implementation

The heterogeneous soils prompted Mr Wessela to think about alternative farming methods. The hot summers of recent years, especially in 2018, highlighted the need to change the system. Mr Wessela was looking for ways to save water and at the same time be financially secure to minimize vulnerability to crop failure in the future. The overall aim is to minimize the impact of climate change on the farm.

Description of the innovation

Mr. Wessela follows the principles of regenerative agriculture. It is based on five premises. These are: 

  1. minimal soil movement (direct seeding), 
  2. permanent organic cover and rooting of the soil
  3. the promotion of biodiversity 
  4. the extensive avoidance of artificial means of production, and 
  5. the integration of animal husbandry on the land.

An additional principle of Mr. Wessela is the extensive renunciation of artificial means of production.

Soil plays a crucial role in climate change because it stores large amounts of carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as CO2. Ploughing destroys soil structure, promotes the release of this stored carbon and reduces the soil’s water-holding capacity, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced soil fertility and crop failure due to increased water scarcity. Ploughing also increases erosion. No-till farming therefore maintains carbon and water storage capacity, helping to slow climate change and its consequences. This is where no-till comes in. It is a farming method where seeds are sown directly into undisturbed soil without ploughing or tilling. This helps to preserve soil structure.

Mr. Wessela has changed his crop rotation to spread the risk and increase biodiversity. It used to be very cereal-heavy, but now there are more legumes, especially peas and soybeans. The latter in particular are less susceptible to heat stress and have different water requirements throughout the growing season. If there is no rain for a month or two, the yield of one crop can compensate or at least buffer the potentially lower yield of the other. Because harvesting times are also different, there are less intensive labor peaks during harvesting. In addition, legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, contributing to a better nutrient supply and replacing energy-intensive nitrogen fertilizers, helping to improve the farm’s greenhouse gas balance.

He has also introduced more catch crops. These suppress weeds while helping to increase biodiversity. By covering the soil, they help build humus, store water in the soil and reduce soil temperature. This also reduces erosion. Catch crops now cover around 30% of Wessela farmland.

Mr. Wessela has also increased his use of organic fertilizer. This reduces the use of energy-intensive mineral fertilizer. To this end, a cooperation has been established with a pig fattening farm. The farm receives the feed and in return provides the organic fertilizer. Thanks to the cooperation between the farms, agricultural residues can be used, and nutrient cycles can be closed at regional level.

Implementation Process of the innovation & used methods of innovation management

The first direct seeding trials were carried out in 2019. The process and technology were tested. The large-scale no-till conversion followed in 2021.

Various machines were first tested intensively before being purchased.

Innovation management methods are not consciously applied. For example, although a mental opportunity/risk analysis was carried out, Mr. Wessela did not write it in detail.

Todays Results of this implementation

Yields have not deteriorated. In fact, yields have increased.

The cost savings from the adapted production methods are very clear: diesel consumption on the farm has been reduced by about 30%.

The use of mineral fertilizers has been reduced.

The use of insecticides and fungicides has been reduced. The latter could be saved by changing the crop rotation, as this reduces the spread of fungi, especially in cereals. However, it has not yet been possible to limit the use of herbicides.

SWOT of the Case today

Benefits

Reduced costs, reduced labor hours, and a reduction in peak workloads as crop rotation balances the harvest. The field can also be worked in light rain and returned to earlier after heavy rain, as the overgrown soil does not stick to the machinery. In addition, there are long-term savings on machinery costs, as well as higher yields and less use of mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides. There is also added value in terms of aesthetics, in particular through permanent vegetation, catch crops and the integration of animals. Less labor is required. 

Disadvantages

No-till farming is initially a financial burden because new machinery must be purchased, but the old machinery is still needed for the time being. In the long run, however, there are significant savings in machinery costs. If the crop rotation is not ideal or does not exist, the conversion will result in yield losses. In addition, landowners and neighbors are not yet accustomed to the landscape. Education is needed.

Opportunities

Better marketing in terms of direct marketing may be possible in the future due to increased public awareness. Better adaptation to climate change and strengthening of the soil as a CO2 sink. 

Risks

Limitation of chemical pesticides, as they are still urgently needed. Resistant weeds. Drastic fall in prices for legumes as crop rotation would have to be restricted.

Education/ Training of the decision makers/ leading persons

Mr. Wessela studied Agricultural Economics (B.Sc.) and Production Management Agricultural Economics (M.Sc.) in Dresden, Germany, where he also acquired knowledge of climate change.

He attends climate change and no-till training whenever he can. He particularly recommends  a wide range of easily accessible online courses offered by the USDA, the United States Department of Agriculture.

He also did an internship with Thomas Sander. The Saxon farmer is known for his many years of no-till experience and is one of Germany’s no-till pioneers.

Outlook/ Aims and Goals

Mr. Wessela would like to create more awareness and understanding of regenerative agriculture among residents.

He would like to further reduce the use of pesticides.

The building up of humus is also important to him.

He would also like to expand the integration of animals on the land. For example, he is thinking about keeping poultry himself in the future.

He would also like to expand crop rotation.

Lessons Learned/ Recommendations

You should be resistant to comments from the neighbors about their (aesthetic) ideas, as they still want plowed fields and are sometimes disturbed by the new landscape. As already mentioned, education is an important aspect here.

One can learn from the mistakes of others. A lively exchange with other farms practicing regenerative agriculture is particularly helpful. Ultimately, the whole thing must be adapted to one’s own location and simply tried out.

With no-till, you have to be out and about a lot more to see what the status quo is. But that can also be a welcome change. 

Especially when sowing, it can be discouraging that pest pressure, for example from mice, increases at first. But do not be discouraged, because the result will be worth it.

Not all soils can be converted immediately. An intermediate step via mulch sowing may be necessary.

Crop rotation must be maintained. It is not just the technology that is converted, but everything around it. So, management is very important.

“It is incredibly interesting to watch how the soil develops and what it can do if you leave it alone. I went out one day after it had rained. At first, I thought we had lost some straw on the busy road. It turned out that the whole road was littered with earthworms, which had multiplied so much that they were looking for new places to eat. It’s great to see that, of course.”

Result, Success & Risk Factors

Actual today’s situation

The no-till conversion is already showing results. The soil structure of the land has improved, and yields are good. Fossil fuel consumption has also been significantly reduced. According to Mr. Wessela, the undertaking is making very good progress. Although certain sites still require special attention, for example where there is a lot of horsetail, these problems will naturally diminish over time. Ultimately, this plant only indicates waterlogged, compacted soil.

Dependence of any kind of ongoing support/ subsidy?

The dependence on subsidies has not changed from the past. The transition itself is not dependent on subsidies. However, the financial burden is initially high during the conversion phase. Over time, the fleet can be reduced, resulting in significant cost savings.

Dependence of specific regional/ personal aspects?

Good education and training of employees is very important. Enough time and energy should be invested here.

There must also be access to livestock farms so that animals can be kept on the land. Of course, keeping your own animals is also an option.

For Mr. Wessela, proximity to feed buyers is also important.

Applicability in other regions/ other situations

On the scale on which Mr. Wessela operates no-till farming, conversion is initially a financial risk. Nevertheless, he believes it is feasible and worthwhile.

Regenerative agriculture and no-till farming in particular is possible on all soils and is therefore easily transferable, provided there is no pronounced waterlogging. 

If you don’t have the money for the machinery, there are now also machinery rings so that you can borrow the no-till technology instead of buying it. This can make the changeover much easier.

Project N. 2022-1-DE02-KA220-VET-000089615

Contact email: info@innocsa.eu

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