The operating strategy of the Top Farms Group goes far beyond merely responding to the dynamically changing economic environment or the unpredictability of events taking place in the world. In our proactive approach, we take a number of actions aimed at expanding our operations using the enormous potential of our human and technological resources.

As part of these activities, we are moving towards:

• external contracting model
• consulting within the biologization and regenerative agriculture program
• expanding commercial activities
• strengthening our operations on the new technologies market - we combined the agricultural business with the start-up market by establishing the FarmTech company
• building competence centers in Central and Eastern Europe, whose task is to optimize processes and strengthen the synergy effect

We focus on innovative activities. We have completed projects related to:

• robotization of the cow milking process
• construction of a modern potato storage hall in Pierzchno and a grain warehouse in Bogdanowice-Kolonia - a flat warehouse for 5,000 tons, intended for storing cereals and rapeseed
• replacement of equipment necessary for potato production
• installation of two optical sorters in the potato department - an innovative and innovative solution enabling mechanical sorting of potato quality through a sorter equipped with an optical camera system that analyzes the quality parameters of tubers
• installation of photovoltaic panels in Szczodrzyków and Pierzchno

Over the next two years, we will work intensively on implementing further technological innovations, such as: construction of grain silos in Szczodrzyków, investment in a technological line for soybean extrusion in Głubczyce, soil testing laboratory in Opole.

Top Farms regenerative agriculture - what is it?

Top Farms regenerative agriculture is the new standard for every farm.

Intensive agriculture, without appropriate practices, causes negative changes in the natural environment. The answer to serious changes in the immediate environment is agriculture, which takes into account a range of practices combining production with the protection and restoration of ecosystems. One such solution is regenerative agriculture, which leads to increased biodiversity in the soil.

Cultivation

Intensive cultivation disturbs the biological life of the soil, which is why we opted for conservation cultivation - we focus on minimal soil cultivation, mainly using no-plough cultivation. We loosen the soil deeply without turning it and mix it shallowly, which promotes humification processes, i.e. the formation of humus. Thanks to this, the soil becomes like a sponge, absorbent to absorb any rainfall, even heavy rainfall.

One of the most important mottos of the Top Farms Group is:

“Grow as little as possible and as much as necessary.”

Calcium

The most important soil nutrient is the key to building its fertility. It improves the structure of the soil, determines its compactness, how much diesel the tractor uses during cultivation and how freely plant roots grow into the soil. All activities aimed at fertilizing the soil begin with improving its reaction (pH). As needed, we use calcium fertilization in the form of chalk lime or sugar lime to regulate the pH. The idea is to obtain a slightly acidic or neutral reaction, which is characteristic of good soils.

Remember, one field is not equal to another, the soil reaction in individual plots differs in terms of pH. Therefore, in our companies, we use  precision agriculture , which helps obtain detailed information about the soil. We adapt individual elements of agrotechnics, including regulating pH to changing conditions, dividing the fields into plots  of several hectares, and then testing the soil. Soil analyzes are performed not only in terms of its reaction .

Coal

Organic matter, treated by experts as the heart of the soil. It is one of the most important elements of nutrient circulation, because without it there is no life! The humus content determines the structure of the soil and its water capacity, i.e. its ability to provide water to plants. Organic matter is a source of many minerals for plants and protection against pathogens. Let us remember that we are able to restore the content of organic matter to the levels from the times of the primeval forest and thus limit the negative impact on the carbon footprint. By using common agricultural practices, which include intensive cultivation, the use of synthetic fertilizers and the use of pesticides, we contribute to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Cover crops

Understood as  a crop contributing to the growth of organic matter and soil enrichment . Cover crop mixtures are able to fulfill many roles at the same time, which is why they are more efficient than single species, for example, they support biological nitrogen fixation, being a source of biodiversity, limiting the population of pests, improving the soil structure through "root drainage", suppressing weeds or protecting the soil prevent erosion. By cutting and grinding green manure in late autumn, we provide the soil with valuable organic matter, which builds the field water potential of the soil, i.e. it determines the ability of the soil to absorb water. This is extremely important!

Culture

It is primarily about strengthening activities that protect the field's surroundings as a place of production directly linked to interactions with the neighborhood, including landscape creation, establishing crop rotation, controlling the use of pesticides, rational water management, planting trees and participating in local initiatives. We have been cooperating with local beekeepers for many years, and now we decided to also become interested in this issue and that's how we started our adventure with 5 hives. Our plans also include the revitalization of ponds, and we are currently building another retention reservoir. Around the reservoirs we can meet many rare, protected species of water and wading birds, such as the meadow harrier or common tern. 

Healthy soil is fertile soil!

The greatest benefit for you and your farm is LIVING SOIL!

Top Farms precision farming

The potential for searching for innovative solutions in the Top Farms Group comes from over 25 years of experience, acquired knowledge and resources of agricultural companies. Cooperation of activities between primary production and service companies contributes to the synergy of creating solutions that are proven in practice and ready for implementation. We are sure that implementing the best and adequate solutions in the field of innovative Agriculture 4.0 technologies into agricultural practice will improve the quality of resources such as soil, water and air.

At every stage of the supply chain for renowned international clients, we are a partner that operates in three operating segments: primary production, upstream and downstream, building innovations there. Taking the first step towards Agriculture 4.0 and inaugurating the digital revolution in management is already history for the Top Farms Group. Thanks to this, we are distinguished by better planning that allows us to achieve full success, increase yields, make the most of our assets and preserve and regenerate natural resources.

What is precision agriculture?

Precision agriculture is a comprehensive farm management system that adapts agrotechnical elements to changing field conditions, depending on the terrain, field outline, current state of plant development and soil properties. The necessary data is obtained and processed using highly developed navigation and IT technologies.

Thanks to such activities, we achieve high yields of better quality, while reducing costs and labor inputs and, importantly, limiting environmental pollution.

The elements of agrotechnics using application maps in the Top Farms Group are:

• determining optimal technological paths in the field
• variable sowing and planting (especially potatoes)
• determining abundance zones, to determine places for collecting soil samples for further laboratory diagnosis
• precise fertilization, liming and spraying