Bioland farm Gut Krauscha

Bioland farm Gut Krauscha

Farm description

Climate change mitigation & adaptation talks to Mr.  Mautschke as an organic farmer who knows about the challenges of our time: Nature conservation and environmentally friendliness are an important concern. With his activity in the SOLMACC-Project he wants to give a convincing example for other farmers around.

On the Bioland farm Good Krauscha a total of 350 ha are managed. These are divided into 230 ha of arable land and 120 ha of grassland. In the crop rotation the clover grass-proportion is 30%. Approximately 5,500 m hedges grow on the farm.

Statements of the farmers

Mr. Mautschke, Bioland farm Gut Krauscha

 For a farm in the eastern rim of Germany the exchange of experiences is of utmost importance. I want to make use of the changes the project delivers in terms of connections. Hence, it would be important for me to meet my colleagues from Germany but also from Sweden and Italy.

Climate friendly practices applied

  1. Improved on-farm nutrient management

Composting of on-farm residues

All on-farm residues are composted. Fresh piles are consisting of biomass of forage legumes, and cattle manure. Due to the regular turning of the compost piles, CH4 emissions are reduced. Regular compost application contributes to C sequestration in soil. Furthermore, N2O emissions from mulching are avoided and N fixation of forage legumes is increased.

 

  1. Optimised crop rotations with legumes

Maintenance of existing grain and forage legumes

Cropping of winter peas, yellow lupines and forage legumes is maintained both contributing to N fixation and C sequestration.

 

  1. Optimised tillage systems

Reduced tillage

Farm avoids ploughing after winter peas. Furthermore, ploughing depths is reduced. By employing these practices diesel consumption will be reduced along with humus accumulation in soil (C sequestration).

 

  1. Agroforestry

Hedgerows and tree strips along agricultural fields

The farm installed hedgerows and tree strips, and possesses ca. 20 ha forest which lead to C sequestration in above- and belowground biomass and in soil. A substantial part of the woody biomass as wood chips is used in a wood cogeneration plant, which produces electricity, heat and biochar and therefore replaces fossil fuel (CO2 mitigation) and contributes to C sequestration in croplands.

Location

 

Other farms