The farming environment is currently shaped by conditions markedly different from those of ten or twenty years ago. The weather has become harder to forecast and sharp swings are evident: in spring, for example, we get heat of +27 °C, and then frosts. There is no such thing as an even season, and that has a substantial effect on crop yields. When speaking about the climate, we must not forget the war going on next door either – the pollution it causes may be far more significant than our own emissions. In these conditions everything comes down to the details, and one important element is certified seed material, which provides confidence about quality and the absence of disease.

Certified seed material is not merely a formal requirement for those farmers who apply for European Union or national support measures, trade in seed and so on – it is a genuine necessity if we want to secure a good yield and reduce risks. Of course, buying new certified material every year requires funds, but with smart planning such seed material can be used for several seasons while still retaining high quality. Poor-quality material, on the other hand, can have very serious consequences – from the spread of disease to a drop in yield, which means financial losses.

Experience makes it possible to observe changes in the sector closely

I represent the company “Lielvircava AGRO”, based in Jelgava municipality, which farms roughly 3 400 hectares of land in total. We grow winter wheat, winter oilseed rape, spring wheat, spring barley, field beans, as well as flax and crimson clover. Alongside crop farming we are also engaged in seed growing and keep more than 200 dairy cows. Experience of this kind makes it possible to observe changes in the sector closely – climatic shifts, market fluctuations, and changes in plant protection and breeding matters alike.

Agriculture is affected by climate instability

These days agriculture is affected most of all by climate instability. The weather is not consistent, and it is hard to predict how temperature or rainfall will change, even with comparatively long experience in the sector. Such abrupt changes affect both sowing and the ripening of the crop. Climate change should not be assessed in isolation from geopolitical events – the war right on our borders is also having an impact on the environment and the atmosphere. The question of insects is topical too – not because there are more of them, but because there is a lack of effective plant protection products. The question often arises whether it is better to apply a less effective product several times than to use a seemingly more effective one less often.

A hot summer can be both good and very dangerous

Forecasting the harvest in such conditions is difficult. We can plan and hope, but in the end mother nature decides everything. Even this spring, when the weather has been very good – there is enough moisture and growth is going well – there is no guarantee at all that it will stay that way, and experience shows that moisture levels can differ considerably between regions of Latvia. A hot summer can be both good and very dangerous if it is followed by downpours and hail. Securing high yield quality and volume calls for a very precise approach at every stage – from soil analysis and preparation right through to the choice of seed material. Quality seed material is the foundation on which the whole harvest is built, which is why we have chosen “Linas Agro” as one of our partners. Choosing the right variety, one suited to our climatic conditions, is essential. When selecting seed material, both trial data and the feedback of other farmers matter.

The risk of disease spreading

If a variety is not suited to our conditions, the risk is great – you can lose the harvest, the money and a year of invested work. Of course, there are farmers who take the risk, and where the outcome is positive a new variety has the potential to enter the market, but such ventures are certainly better carried out on small areas. Poor-quality material can cause the spread of disease and other problems. Even when we use seed material we have multiplied on our own farm, we test it every year – germination and thousand-grain weight – so as to calculate the seeding rate correctly.

A decision starts with accessible, understandable information

There are many and varied risks, so it is important to work on the availability of information as well – there is still a great deal to be done here. Broader explanation is needed about variety protection, royalties and seed growing matters in general. At present the information is often incomplete or unclear, so it is important that the organisations collecting royalties explain and inform about how the processes work, building an overall transparent system in which farmers have no misgivings about the money they invest. Latvian farmers are aware of the importance of quality, certified seed material, but unfortunately compromise decisions are often made between quality, cost and what is feasible. More independent trial fields are also needed, so that farmers have access to data grounded in local conditions, giving them the chance to take well-founded and sustainable decisions.

Agriculture today demands a particularly careful approach to every small detail. Climate fluctuations, new challenges in plant protection and other aspects mean that avoiding mistakes begins the moment the seed material is chosen. Certified, quality seed material is a foundation of security that makes it possible to reduce risks, preserve yield potential and, in the long term, ensure the viability and development of the farm.