Farm title: DVP Agro
Production type: Crop production, biogas plant
State: Czech Republic
Region: Brno - countryside, Rajhrad region
Altitude: 170 - 215 m above sea level
Average annual rainfall: 480 mm
Farm size/area in the Carboneg project: 825 ha / 825 ha
Farming method: Conventional
Regenerative practice from: 2019
Manager: Rostislav Mátl, Chairman of DVP Agro
Soil type: Black soil
Main crops grown: Winter wheat, maize, winter rape, sunflower, sugar beet, winter poppy
Propagation crops: Safflower, Spike phacelia, Lacy phacelia, Field pea, Fava bea
DVP Agro, located near Brno in the Czech Republic, has extensive experience in implementing sustainable practices. Frequent losses during dry years prompted them to transition to regenerative farming. They repeatedly observed that, despite intensive inputs, conventional farming produced below-average yields and was economically unprofitable during dry years. As a result, they began gradually adopting regenerative farming practices in 2019.
Rostislav Matl, the chairman and a founding member of the Czech Society for Regenerative Agriculture, frequently hosts „field days“ to demonstrate regenerative practices on their land. One of which includes allocating part of their crop fields for a biodiversity coridor.
Today, their main priorities are maintaining economic stability, promoting healthy soil and water retention in the landscape. They particularly focus on intercropping, using mixtures of up to 14 plant components: legumes for nitrogen supply, brassicas for nitrogen removal, and grasses for adding sugars to the soil. These mixtures are tailored for each field, and they collaborate with various institutions for education and research. Notably, they are currently working with Mendel University in Brno to research the optimal timing for terminating intercrops
Our priority is to improve soil health, retain water in the landscape and grow nutrient-rich crops. Regenerative farming has increased and stabilized our profits. We have reduced our plant protection products (PPP) costs by 20% and our diesel costs by 25% in 2022. This resulted in record profits despite a drier year. I knew we needed to change not only the way we farm, but more importantly the mindset and perception of farming as a whole.
Rostislav Mátl Chairman of DVP Agro
Grow rich cover crop mixtures and give them the same attention as your cash crop
Bear in mind that not all cover crop seeds will grow well in every environment.
Optimise the crop rotation plan so that it includes a rich variety of spring and winter crops, aerial nitrogen-fixing plants and perennials
Bear in mind, that the transition period may result in slightly lower yields especially in years with excessive rainfall. However, because PPP, fuel and synthetic fertilizer inputs are likely to decrease, it often means that profits will remain the same or even improve.
