Silage with a Purpose: Farming for a Healthier Baltic Sea
Last week, farmers, students, and experts from across Estonia gathered in Tartu for a seminar and demo day focused on the international project “Sustainable Silage Production.” The event brought together practitioners and researchers to share experiences, showcase new technologies, and discuss how silage production can be both environmentally and economically sustainable.
Silage is an important part of livestock farming, but during its production, nutrients can leak into the soil and water, eventually reaching the Baltic Sea. Too many nutrients in the water cause algae blooms, oxygen shortages, and a decline in fish stocks – a problem that affects us all. That’s why the “Sustainable Silage Production” project matters not just to farmers, but to the whole region.
Science-based practices and cross-border cooperation
Over three years, farmers, advisors, and researchers from Estonia, Latvia, and Finland have tested new solutions on 26 pilot farms. The project went beyond lab experiments – it focused on practical solutions tested directly in the field. These included using silage liquid waste as fertiliser, and trying out robots, drones, and precision farming tools that help save resources and protect the environment.
The seminar highlighted that while farming is a traditional field, it’s constantly evolving. To the consumer, a potato or a beef cow may seem unchanged, but behind the scenes, big improvements are happening. Projects like this help make those changes visible and understandable.
Handbook and tools to support environmentally friendly silage production
One key result of the project is a handbook on environmentally friendly silage production, combining science-based advice and practical experience. While the main version is in English, each participating country has created a local version tailored to its specific conditions and needs. This helps farmers make informed decisions that suit their own farms.
A practical worksheet was also developed to help producers track the profitability and quality of their silage. It’s important to note that profitability isn’t just about money – high-quality silage means healthier animals and more efficient production.
Supporting the Central Baltic Programme’s goals
“Sustainable Silage Production” is a great example of how cross-border cooperation can tackle shared environmental challenges. As Merike Niitepõld, head of the Central Baltic Programme’s managing authority, said: “The Baltic Sea doesn’t start at the shoreline – since the problems are shared, the solutions must be shared too.” The project brings together knowledge and experience to find solutions that work across the region.
Mathias Juust, policy advisor at the European Commission Representation in Estonia, added that the project is part of a broader strategic framework aimed at cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and more sustainable farming. Its selection as a strategically important activity (OSI) under the Interreg programme highlights its impact and reach.
European cooperation and benefits for Estonian farmers: training, technology, and knowledge sharing
The total project budget is over €2 million, with most of the funding coming from the Central Baltic Programme. Thanks to this, more than 200 farmers have already taken part in training, seminars, and field days that help them combine productivity with environmental care.
The “Sustainable Silage Production” project shows that environmentally friendly farming is possible. Through cross-border cooperation, technological innovation, and science-based solutions, we are moving step by step towards a cleaner Baltic Sea and more sustainable food production.
Text: Liisa Liivamets, National Contact Point Estonia
BACKGROUND
The project is the first joint initiative of its kind in the region, uniting farmers and researchers across borders. It has been carried out by:
Sustainable Silage project has been selected among the Operations of Strategic Importance (OSI), or strategic projects, which are key initiatives in the 2021-2027 EU programmes, including Interreg. They highlight significant contributions to programme objectives, showcasing the impact of EU funding.
