When you talk to farmer Branko Majerič in the village of Moškanjci, on the Ptuj Plain, you realize that his life story is more than personal testimony. It is a lesson about where modern agriculture is heading – towards regenerative models of production.
More than twenty years ago, Majerič and his son began practicing conservation agriculture, today known as no-till. Instead of traditional plowing, he applies minimal soil disturbance, cover crops, and crop rotation. On his fields rotate wheat, corn, soybeans, sunflower, rapeseed, and the famous Ptuj onion – a product with protected geographical origin.
“Ten years we searched for the right method and machinery. Only when we realized that soil must be preserved, not constantly overturned, everything made sense,” says Majerič.
The irrigation system in Gorišnica has proven crucial. “This year I irrigated corn four times with 300 cubic meters of water per hectare. Without that, yields would have been only a third of the expected,” he explains.
Majerič warns that discipline is necessary: if the state invests in irrigation, all farmers must participate.
While in Slovenia support for conservation agriculture is only €18 per hectare, in Croatia it reaches up to €250. The average is around €500–600 annually, while organic production brings up to €1,200. “Ecological farming without adequate technology is impossible – hoes and shovels are not the solution,” he warns.
Thanks to regenerative methods, energy use is drastically reduced. While conventional farming requires up to 150 liters of diesel per hectare, Majerič spends no more than 15 liters for corn sowing. Half of mineral fertilizers are replaced with soil enhancers, and all crop residues remain in the field.
For more than a decade, his farm has been part of a long-term experiment with the University of Ljubljana. Results show that no-till soils contain more humus and have better nutrient availability. In dry years, crops withstand stress for several days longer – often enough to secure the yield.
Back in 2011, Majerič and colleagues bought specialized seeders in the USA. “Sowing with the twin row system increases grain yield by 5–8%, and silage by up to 30%,” he explains. Quality machinery enables the success of regenerative farming.
Five Practical Tips
From his experience, five rules stand out:
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No water – no stable production – invest in irrigation.
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Protect the soil – don’t plow it every year.
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Leave residues on the field – they are the best natural fertilizer.
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Crop rotation is the law – without it, there is no healthy soil.
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Invest in a quality seeder – precision determines yield.
