An information day was held at Sadala Agro on July 24, where the University of Tartu introduced the experiment of established grassland strips on a demo field. The learning day took place in cooperation with the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, which tests various green manure cultures on the lands of Ahti Kalde.

Kristiina Jürisoo and Krista Takkis introducing the grassland strip experiment (photo by Kaidi Tingas)

Sadala Agro is one of the seven agricultural farmers that, in cooperation with the "LIFE IP ForEst&FarmLand" project, is testing the benefits of grassland strips on farmland. In the experiment that started last year, 12-meter-wide grassland strips were established on a 58-ha field in Sadala, where a seed mixture of different grasses and flowering plants was sown, which together make up about eight hectares of the field.

Grassland strips established in the fields increase the diversity of the landscape, reduce soil erosion, attract birds and pollinators, and are a habitat for the natural enemies of pests (lilacs, spiders, ground beetles).

Established grassland strips in the Sadala Agro demo field

Grassland strips with a species-rich and species-poor mixture were initially established on the Sadala Agro demonstration area, and there are also plans to test the mixture for natural enemies of pests. In 2024, various monitoring activities have been started, data are collected on pollinators, spiders, pests and their natural enemies, soil and plants.