At Brunlanes outside Larvik, Sondre Austein grows between 200 and 300 tonnes of strawberries annually. He is experimenting with catch crops and reduced tillage to conserve nutrients. His family has driven Valtra's for the past 25 years.
Sondre Austein from Brunlanes outside Larvik produces between 200 and 300 tonnes of strawberries every year. For the past 25 years the family has sworn by Valtra tractors. Photo: Lars Ovlien.
"The coastal climate out here is perfect for growing strawberries and we're among the first in the country each year to be able to deliver sweet, Norwegian berries. We have a long growing season and light, sandy soil. The problem is that when everything is ploughed and harrowed in the spring, there are sandstorms that remove the topsoil. To avoid this, I use overwintering catch crops that I remove using a bowl harrow", explains Sondre Austein from Brunlanes outside Larvik.
With owned and rented land, he cultivates up to 1,000 hectares on the family farm where his great-grandfather harvested the first strawberries in 1934. Production is between 200 and 300 tonnes of strawberries annually. Alongside the berries, he grows grain, rape and beans in crop rotation. At most, more than 50 people work during the high season.
Even though the number of strawberry growers has fallen drastically, there is still a good market. "We deliver everything to Bama via Gartnerhallen, but distribute the strawberries directly to stores in Vestfold and Telemark. Bama distributes the rest to other parts of the country when needed."
Aage Austein drives a Valtra Valmet bought before Christmas in 1999. It has clocked up over 14,000 hours and is still going strong Photo: Lars Ovlien.
Capitalising on technology
His father Aage invested in a Valtra Valmet 8150 before Christmas in 1999, which has now clocked up over 14,000 hours. Since then there have been several Valtra tractors on the farm.
"We have a Valtra T255 Versu, Burnt Orange edition with TwinTrac and an verge mower, as well as an N175 Versu with Nordic winter package, both Unlimited models. ‘We have narrow tyres on the smallest one, and I run with reduced air pressure down to 1.1 bar out in the field to reduce soil compaction", explains Austein.
Both tractors have autoguidance. The T255 is equipped with Valtra Guide, while the N175 has a Trimble solution with signal correction that he fitted to an N121 back in 2011.
"There has generally been little fuss with Valtra over the years and they have a very good service organisation headed by Halvor Fon. ‘I use auto-steer for all tasks, so I can focus entirely on the implement. Valtra has spacious cabs and I can sit at a 90-degree angle and keep an eye on things, whether I'm milling beds for strawberries or driving the verge mower."
To reduce soil compaction with the N175 Versu in the field, Austein has equipped it with narrow tyres and runs with reduced air pressure down to 1.1 bar. Photo: Lars Ovlien.
To reduce soil compaction with the N175 Versu in the field, Austein has equipped it with narrow tyres and runs with reduced air pressure down to 1.1 bar. Photo: Lars Ovlien.
Thinking ahead
Austein grows strawberries for three to four years, and then crop rotation for six to seven years in between. The aim is to minimise tillage.
"I intercrop with white clover and buckwheat when I sow oilseed rape. In the spring, I also sow wheat with a subculture of clover and grass. In addition to retaining the soil, plants such as peas and vetches produce nitrogen, so I reduce the need for artificial fertiliser."
By combining respect for tradition with the ability to utilise new technology, it is possible to maintain competitiveness. Austein experiments with different materials such as moss and ground coconut when he grows strawberries in large tunnels. Something he was among the first in the country to do.
"The secret behind the good Norwegian berries is simple. ‘In this country, we have brighter days and colder temperatures, which results in more photosynthesis and thus increased sugar content," he emphasises.
