In difficult terrain, but successful corn cultivation – Farmer interview

In northeastern Hungary, a yield average of over 10 t/ha is expected by the end of the corn harvest without irrigation. We spoke with Róbert Pataki, an agronomist at Szirák Farm Kft., which belongs to the Szirák Group from Borsodszirák, about their experiences this year. Szirák Farm Kft. operates on 2250 ha, of which 1450 ha is leased and 800 ha is integrated land. Crop cultivation is carried out on the Bódva side of the Cserehát and in the area between the Bódva and the Sajó, where soil conditions are very diverse. Corn, sunflower, soybean, winter wheat, winter barley, rapeseed, and spelt wheat are cultivated, and winter wheat seed is also produced on about 100 ha. All of this is done without irrigation. The land is intensively cultivated without tillage; plowing is done only if corn follows corn in the crop rotation, but if possible, they choose non-tillage cultivation. The crop rotation is arranged so that corn is sown after corn where possible. This is followed by sunflower or ...