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Farmer Tonis

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Farmer Tonis

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farmer.tonis

🇪🇪 Farmer from Estonia
🌱 I create humorous and educational farming content
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I have been using growing degree days, or GDD, as

I have been using growing degree days, or GDD, as a basis for timing autumn growth regulation in winter oilseed rape.

My rule of thumb, using a base temperature of 0°C, is that it takes roughly 200 GDD from sowing to emergence, and after that every additional 60–80 GDD brings another true leaf.

In my conditions, using GDD with a 0°C base, around 450 GDD has repeatedly corresponded quite closely with the 4-leaf stage. I use it as a trigger to go to the field and assess whether the crop is ready for its first PGR application.

There is also recommendation to use GDD basis of +4 but in my experience, it doesn't correlate so well with the actual picture on a field.

So at around 450 GDD, the crop should be close to the 4-leaf stage - a good timing for the first plant growth regulator (PGR) application together with boron.

At around 600 GDD, which can easily happen by the beginning of October, I start looking at whether a second PGR application is needed. And if autumn stays warm and another 150 GDD accumulates, the crop may need regulating again.

Of course, GDD is not the only thing I look at. Variety, sowing date, plant size and actual growth stage still matter.

Why regulate WOSR in autumn?

The aim is to keep the plant compact, with a low growing point and a strong root system going into winter. Instead of allowing excessive above-ground growth and stem extension, we want a well-developed rosette that is better prepared for our harsh winters.

Plant architecture and the potential for side-shoot development are also established during this period, so autumn crop management can have consequences far beyond autumn itself.

Boron is another important part of the programme. WOSR has a relatively high demand for boron, and good boron nutrition supports root development, cell-wall formation and plant development going into winter.

For me, GDD has become a simple way of turning temperature into an actual crop-management decision.

🌱 450 GDD → around 4 leaves
🌱 600 GDD → assess again
🌱 850 GDD → reassess crop growth

And then, most importantly, go to the field and check what the plants are actually doing.

The soil won't take in water anymore. I made a mis

The soil won't take in water anymore. I made a mistake of not considering the amount of rain we had but weather station didn't show that big of amount of percipation to make field like this. 6mms of rain won't cause this! Probably the amount that came down was three times more...

And this field hasn't had water problems in those places, never!

#FarmerTonis

I like the freedom to shape my 105 hour work week!

I like the freedom to shape my 105 hour work week!

#FarmerTonis

With machinery, there’s always a chance that somet

With machinery, there’s always a chance that something can happen.

I’ve been spraying for 15 years without a serious incident. Early mornings, late nights, long trips to distant fields but I never really thought something like this could happen to me.

Then one Monday morning. I finished spraying nice and early before rain arrived. But just 2 km from home, my sprayer suddenly became unstable during road transport and within seconds it was upside down.

Luckily, nobody was injured, no other vehicles were damaged, and the sprayer was empty.

I called 112 and we started the rescue operation. A few hours later the sprayer was upright and back home.

At first, it didn’t look too bad.

But in the end, it was declared a total loss.

And because apparently one disaster wasn’t enough, a few days later my car broke down during our family vacation 😅

That month really made me question whether this whole farmer-and-entrepreneur life was worth it. Maybe a normal 9–5 would be easier for me and my family?

But then something happened that I didn’t expect.

I received so many supportive messages, and people around me genuinely tried to help.

My Horsch dealer Tatoli and my sales manager Meelis were especially supportive and helped me find a replacement sprayer, one that is actually even better than the old one.

It was probably the worst month of my life.

But it also reminded me how many good people I have around me.

People who care about what I do, help when things go wrong, and make me believe in myself and this crazy farming life again. ❤️

Built the spreader out of Techneat Outcast and old

Built the spreader out of Techneat Outcast and old sprayer, using it also for spreading cover crops!

Slugs can cause serious damage to young crops, especially oilseed rape, by feeding on cotyledons, leaves and sometimes the growing point.

The risk is highest in moist conditions, heavy or cloddy soils and fields with plenty of crop residue, where slugs can easily hide and stay active.
One of the main control options is the use of slug pellets.

#FarmerTonis #slugs #oilseedrape

This field has had wet spots which have had a grea

This field has had wet spots which have had a great impact to the yield and made travelling the field difficult.
Used @eversagro Ferro to break the compaction at 25cms and results are already showing!

#FarmerTonis #eversagro #subsoiling

Farming the influence 😅 #farmertonis

Farming the influence 😅

#farmertonis

Fendt 832 Vario – a field tractor that is a very g

Fendt 832 Vario – a field tractor that is a very good asphalt eater? 🚜

I got to spend some time with the new Fendt 832 Vario, and one of the first things you notice is the amount of lights. They are everywhere. 😄 Working in the dark, visibility definitely wasn't an issue.

The 832 is the biggest model in the new 800 Vario range. Its 7.9-litre engine produces 320 hp in normal conditions and up to 343 hp with the additional power boost.

On the road, this tractor feels very much at home. The acceleration and smooth Vario transmission make it an interesting combination of a large field tractor and something designed to cover longer distances comfortably.

It didn't struggle in the field either. Whether pulling a 9m straw harrow at 20kmh or working with a 6 m stubble cultivator, there was no shortage of power or comfort. At around 10 tonnes, though, tractor weight can become the limiting factor when trying to actually put all that power into the ground.

Compared with the Fendt 728, where the cab felt a little tight for me, the 832 is noticeably roomier. For a long working day, I definitely preferred the extra space.

One small detail I also liked was changing the rear linkage between Cat 2 and Cat 3: remove a pin, move the link arm into the other position and put the pin back in. No endless screwing of the linkage parts.

Perfect? Definitely not. I would still like to see proper footrests in the cab. FendtONE also looks very good, but when it comes to GPS and guidance, a certain other shade of green has left a better impression on me. That part is obviously down to personal preference.

After the first test, three words probably describe my impression of the 832 best:

Big, fast and comfortable.

Thanks to Agriland OÜ for the demo
#farmertonis

Estonian agriculture is at a crossroads. Estonia

Estonian agriculture is at a crossroads.

Estonia has fought for years for fairer conditions within the EU. To help close that gap, €546 million in funding over seven years, including national co-financing, has now been allocated as an opportunity for Estonian agriculture.

According to the proposal known to the sector, only €295 million would go to agriculture and the food industry – almost 46% less.

Farmers are asking for the full €546 million to be used to strengthen Estonian agriculture, food production and long-term investment capacity.

#põllumajandusristteel

@eversagro Ferro from @agripartner.ee making its f

Can subsoiling improve field drainage? My experien

Can subsoiling improve field drainage? My experience with the @eversagro Ferro!

🇪🇺 The subsoiler was purchased with investment support for achieving environmental and climate policy objectives in agriculture. The project is co-funded by the European Union.

I also offer contracting services with this machine.
📩 kaarliagro@kaarlitoa.ee

The past two years have brought plenty of rainfall, and wet seasons quickly expose problems with soil structure and water movement.

On some of my fields, crops were literally “standing with their feet in a cold puddle” for months. On one winter wheat field, a @paultech_esoil soil station showed almost continuous excessive moisture from drilling until harvest. A penetrometer also revealed a clearly more resistant layer at around 30–35 cm depth, which may have restricted both drainage and root development.

Last autumn, I tested the Evers Ferro grassland subsoiler, imported by Agripartner

The first results were interesting enough for me to apply for PRIA investment support and purchase the machine for my own farm.

My first proper test was on grassland where around 5 ha regularly remain partly unmown because the soil is too wet to carry machinery.

We found strong resistance at around 30 cm and set the Ferro to work at approximately 35 cm. The aim is not to work as deep as possible, but slightly below the compacted layer.

After subsoiling, the penetrometer passed through the previously compacted layer noticeably more easily.

A few days later, around 12 mm of rain fell overnight. Visually, the subsoiled areas were already less wet than the previously problematic spots. It’s only an initial observation, not proof of a long-term effect, but definitely something worth following.

Next, I’ll be testing more problem areas on my own fields, especially headlands and turning areas.

I’ll keep you updated on whether these first positive observations continue over the coming seasons. 🌱

#farmertonis

Had to put something something on the field after

Had to put something something on the field after winter wheat and winter triticale has shown that it is better choice than winter wheat.

Triticale is a mixed breed of wheat and rye, and according to farmers growing it, it could
combat "cereals after cereals" situation better.

Planted it on 13th of september in 2025. Came up satisfyingly and used only autumn herbicide on it!

In spring 2026, it looked a bit down but thought that it could create some tillers and fill the gaps. Unfortunately no rain in almost two months from when vegetation began.

@paultech_esoil soil station showed drought stress and nitrogen I applied didnt solve properly.
The rains came later but it was too late I think

Crop grew only about knee high without any significant tillers.

As it looked not so good in spring and didn't improve, I almost didn't use any other inputs except herbicides and 97 kgs of nitrogen.

It yields about 6 tons in lower places of the field and 4 tons on higher places, so there has to be moisture issue...

Maybe about 5 tons of yield isn't so bad after all?

Over 45m of cutting width 5 combines CR 8.90 2xC

Over 45m of cutting width

5 combines
CR 8.90
2xCX8.90
CX8080
CX8090

📸 @sven_eerik
@tatoli_as
@newhollandag

#FarmerTonis

I went to the field on July 27, and the hail-damag

I went to the field on July 27, and the hail-damaged hemp crop completely surprised me. After the damage, it looked as though the field was finished, but the broken plants have started growing again, they are flowering, and the field once again looks like a hemp field.

Of course, the crop is no longer as dense or as beautiful as the undamaged hemp, and the yield loss will probably be significant. More weeds have also emerged in the thinner crop. But considering that at one point it seemed the entire harvest had been destroyed, the recovery is truly incredible.

My journey into hemp cultivation is supported with advice and expertise by the Estonian company Nordic Hemp

#farmertonis

Bonus points if you said six hours ago that you’d

Bonus points if you said six hours ago that you’d be home in no time.

#FarmerTonis

Hey, atleast they are useful! #farmertonis

Hey, atleast they are useful!

#farmertonis

I am just going to leave it here for a moment…

I am just going to leave it here for a moment...

#farmertonis

Durum wheat vs soft wheat 🌾 I am trying out a ver

Durum wheat vs soft wheat 🌾

I am trying out a very small scale durum wheat growing of my field

Durum wheat is hard, golden and high in protein. It is mainly used for pasta, couscous and bulgur because it holds its shape well.

Soft wheat is lighter and more delicate. It is better suited for cakes, biscuits, pastries and other soft baked goods.

In simple terms:

🍝 Durum wheat = pasta
🍰 Soft wheat = baking

Same crop family, very different uses.

#FarmerTonis

Farming: the most expensive hobby in the world? #

Farming: the most expensive hobby in the world?

#FarmerTonis

Once a year, on a weekend in July, both smaller an

Once a year, on a weekend in July, both smaller and larger farms open their doors in 🇪🇪

Each farm has its own programme, revealing its distinctive features.

Ohtla Lihaveis (Beef) is raising Charolais cattle

Visitors can meet farm animals, explore fields, join tours and workshops, taste local food, buy farm products and discover both modern and historic machinery.

#farmertonis

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