- The farm of Agnieszka Tołłoczko-Wróbel and Paulina Pogorzelska is taking part in the Innovative Farmer 2024 competition.
- Women farmers produce seed potatoes and edible potatoes.
- The farm has numerous certificates and participates in the Integrated Production, sustainable agriculture and carbon farming systems.
Innovation on the farm is transformed by all cases. It begins not only with innovative machines and digital solutions, or modern means of production, but also with the approach to plant cultivation, soil health, science and practice. All this can be found on the farm in Szkotów near Nidzica. A few years ago, Agnieszka Tołłoczko-Wróbel took it over from her father, who was passionate about agriculture, and continues his work with equal passion, but on her own terms. She "infected" one of her children (she has four) with her enthusiasm – her daughter Paulina Pogorzelska. And together, still as a family, they develop potato production and more.
Business card of the Szkotowo Farm
Although Mrs. Agnieszka has worked on a farm for 30 years, she has been self-employed and has been focusing on potatoes for several years. She herself, reading the potential of the farm, i.e. the location and soil, was looking for a crop that would work well in the difficult terrain of Warmia and Mazury and bring a relative profit. She chose potatoes and has no regrets.
– It is a naturally clean place, free from diseases and viruses. Perfect for the production of seed material of the highest classification levels. In addition, these are poor soils, class V and VI, but in very good culture. My father took care of it, and I take care of it too, together with my daughter – Agnieszka Tołłoczko-Wróbel tells us.
And he adds that the plantations are very healthy. – This was confirmed by the Dutch and English who visited our fields, during inspections. Also by scientific institutions with which we cooperate, e.g. the Institute of Horticulture in Skierniewice, with which we conduct experiments on so-called cuttings to see how much they help maintain moisture in the field – he explains.
The Szkotowo farm in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, photo by M. Tyszka
The Szkotowo farm has about 1200 ha, of which 220 are occupied by potato cultivation. Half of it is edible potatoes, and the other half – seed potatoes. In addition, cereals are also grown here – especially rye and triticale, winter rape, sugar beet, but also buckwheat, onion and sunflower. The region struggles with water shortages, because, as the farmer tells us, it attracts due to the lakes, storms and therefore heavy rains. There is a lack of even rainfall. Therefore, irrigation is needed, which is helped by water from the farm's own ponds, which is used for this purpose.
Innovative irrigation and soil care
This year, a new irrigation system was introduced on the farm. It is a Pivot bridge sprinkler, which is managed in an intelligent way. Moreover, the entire farm uses precision farming services. Based on remote sensing analysis of plant condition indicators, local moisture and topographic conditions, application maps are prepared for precise dosing of fertilizers, plant protection products and tips on irrigation. Here, the Irriget system operates, which, by estimating actual evapotranspiration, provides precise information on current moisture conditions in the fields.
The bridge sprinkler is a new investment in the farm, photo by M. Tyszka
Previously, reel-type sprinklers were used for this purpose, and they still work when needed. This is an important factor that contributes to efficiency, because the yield per hectare of unwatered potatoes can be 30-35 t, and 40-45 t when watered. In order to legally irrigate crops, it is also necessary to complete important formalities, such as a water-legal report and irrigation permits.
– If Egypt and Israel irrigate, grow potatoes in the desert, and harvest 40-50 tons of potatoes per hectare, then there is no reason why we shouldn't do the same in Poland – emphasizes the owner.
The photo shows how many potato tubers there are under one bush. Potato harvest in 2024, photo: FB Gospodarstwo Szkotowo
Farmers take care of the soil, its structure and humus, of course. They focus on proper crop rotation, sow catch crops or use biological progress and exchange seed and seed material. This care can be seen in practice, the soil is alive, as exemplified by numerous earthworms or mouse holes. Everything is constantly monitored and controlled. Macro and micronutrient tests are performed annually, and when specialist measurements for potatoes or onions are performed as needed. Biological agents have been used for years, from biofertilizers, to biostimulants, biopesticides, microbiological preparations, and preparations that accelerate the decomposition of crop residues. The PH is regulated and constantly checked.
Digital farming used on the farm
Investments in machinery can be seen throughout the farm. The basis for potato production is Grimme equipment. In the case of tractors, it is the John Deere brand. There is a GPS guidance system and computer management systems, which allowed us to try to increase the distance between the technological paths, increasing them from 18 to 36 m. These are also machines for no-till cultivation, precision sowing and fertilization. The use of variable dosage based on soil fertility studies.
Rich machinery park on the farm of our Innovative Farmers, photo by M. Tyszka
– We try to find savings and cultivate without tillage, but we cannot cultivate potatoes in such a system. In the technology of planting in beds, the soil must be loosened and aerated. A plough is needed – say the ladies.
In Szkotów, innovative technology of bed planting and application of fertilizer directly into the ridge is also used.
Importantly, the farm not only has the appropriate certificates for potato production, but also participates in the Integrated Production system, sustainable agriculture, and carbon farming (carbon credits).
Potato production
– We try to direct all our knowledge, as well as the knowledge of our advisors and scientists with whom we cooperate, towards healthy potato plantations, because healthy seed potato material means successful harvest. We produce seed potato material of the highest qualification levels. We have pre-basic, basic, super-elite and elite materials for propagation. We propagate potatoes to class A, which the grower receives from us, distributes to farmers all over Poland, but not only, but also in Europe – the farmers explain to us.
Work in Szkotów is going very smoothly, because the extensive machinery park is not only for potato production, but also combines, tractors, sprayers and fertilizer spreaders useful for growing other plant species, photo M. Tyszka
How is a potato field prepared?
One example is cultivation after rapeseed. First, chicken manure is applied (8 t/ha), followed immediately by biological products and the soil is immediately mixed using a unit. Then, a catch crop is sown, which remains in the field for the winter. Then, in spring, the ridge is subsoiled to 45 cm and destoning is carried out to a depth of maximum 40 cm.
Innovative descaling treatment to a depth of 40 cm, photo: FB Gospodarstwo Szkotowo
This stage is very important, especially in potato cultivation. In this case, the farm also has specialist equipment in the Grimme brand system. This is a huge undertaking, because from 1 ha it can sometimes collect up to 100 tons of stones. Potatoes are planted in such aerated soil with a structural, four-row planter.
Innovative potato planting, so-called bed planting, photo: FB Gospodarstwo Szkotowo
Later, in potatoes, herbicide and fungicide protection, or foliar fertilization, are very important. Active substances are rotated so that resistance does not occur, products are carefully selected for a specific problem. And most importantly, plantations are constantly inspected.
The farm also uses other innovative solutions.
– We protect our potatoes against viruses and aphid invasions by using mineral oil for each protection treatment, which effectively prevents the development and feeding of these pests – explains Tołłoczko-Wróbel.
Applying chicken manure to the stubble, then a biological product and mixing it immediately with the soil. Here, everything is precise and on time, photo M. Tyszka
Potato storage and variety selection
This year, 27 potato varieties of different earliness were planted in the fields. Therefore, their storage time, from the end of July to the end of April, is long and monitored on the farm. New investments are helpful in this. Where seed potatoes and edible potatoes are stored separately. Before the season, warehouses, boxes and equipment are thoroughly disinfected.
Due to drought problems, farmers are also looking for solutions in biological progress, selecting appropriate and dedicated varieties for their region. For example, they decide to sow hybrid rye, which is characterized by greater resistance to water shortages or higher yield potential. Similar decisions are also made in the case of other species, e.g. rapeseed.
The storage base on the farm is regularly expanded. The warehouses themselves, boxes and equipment are thoroughly disinfected before the season, photo M. Tyszka
Active online
The Szkotowo farm is part of the National Network of Demonstration Farms, where experiments are conducted in cooperation with scientific institutions and specialist companies from Poland and abroad.
The owners also share their knowledge and passion through social media. They run a YouTube channel, participate in conferences and meetings, because the topics and problems of agriculture are very close to them. They are with people and for people. Diligence, knowledge and passion can be seen at every step.
Beautiful and healthy potato crop in Szkotowo, photo: FB Gospodarstwo Szkotowo
