Can a business be efficient if its employees show up for work for only three months a year and spend the rest of the time doing nothing? The answer is obvious. Yet this is essentially how most Ukrainian fields are managed. A traditional crop rotation — sunflower, corn and wheat — uses the soil’s productive potential for only 30–70% of the year. During the remaining period, the land is left bare, gradually degrades and loses moisture.

At the “Profitable Field” conference, leading experts — Mykola Kosolap (National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine), Yurii Lysak (Agrorеgion) and Pavlo Kotliar (Soufflet Agro Ukraine), moderated by Vadym Sviеtlov — discussed why cover crops are not an “environmentalist hobby,” but a practical tool for helping farmers remain productive and resilient.

The “Green Shield” Philosophy

Mykola Kosolap reminded the audience that we are moving away from the concept of “humans as masters of nature” toward an understanding that nature often knows best. Natural ecosystems never leave soil bare.

“Cover crops are not the green manure crops described in textbooks from the 1940s that had to be ploughed under. They are living protection that should remain on the soil surface, supporting soil life after the main crop has been harvested,” said Mykola Kosolap.

The Agronomist’s Swiss Army Knife

Yurii Lysak urged farmers to ask themselves one question before planting: “Why do I need this?” The objective may vary depending on the conditions and location:

• Light sandy soils: protection against wind erosion, preventing the field from literally being blown away in spring.
• Southern regions: building organic matter and conserving soil moisture.
• Compacted areas: “biological loosening” through root growth.

Why Is Mustard Only the Beginning?

Pavlo Kotliar explained why complex cover crop mixtures are generally more resilient than monocultures. A mixture provides a form of insurance: one component may perform better in one year, while another takes the lead under different conditions.

But the key factor is root architecture. One species may work within the top 10 cm of soil, another may send a taproot deep into the profile, while a third develops an extensive mycorrhizal network. Together, these plants create a more resilient system that feeds soil biology with a diverse “diet.”

Case Study: Farming in the South and the Battle for Moisture

The biggest concern among farmers in southern Ukraine is straightforward: “Cover crops will use up the last drop of water.” The experts challenged this assumption. Yes, a living plant consumes water, but bare soil loses moisture much faster through evaporation.

• Pavlo Kotliar’s tip: A cover crop standing 1–1.5 m tall creates a huge surface area where dew can accumulate. This provides additional “night-time irrigation” that bare soil simply cannot offer.
• Mykola Kosolap’s tip: Use stripper headers. Tall stubble combined with cover crops can cut moisture losses significantly while protecting the soil from overheating.

The Verdict

Ukraine’s future accession to the European Union will bring regulatory requirements related to cover crops. But farmers should not wait for legislation to act. The better reason to start is profitability.

Start simple — oats, peas, soybeans — and you may quickly see your soil and your field becoming more biologically active and resilient.