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MAS Seeds Pilot Farms: Year two overview
To secure seed production in an increasingly unpredictable climate, MAS Seeds launched in 2024 a network of pilot farms dedicated to testing regenerative agriculture practices. The goal: identify the most relevant technical pathways to restore soil health while maintaining crop productivity, based on real field conditions.
In 2025, trials focused on four main levers:
- nitrogen fertilization adjustment,
- reduced tillage,
- stimulation of soil biology,
- and the use of cover crops.
Six plots (90 ha) were used to evaluate protected nitrogen fertilizers, designed to reduce volatilization and improve nitrogen efficiency while lowering the carbon footprint.
Reduced tillage practices were tested on four plots (104 ha) to support the transition toward simplified cultivation techniques.
To boost soil biological activity, 500 tons of wood chips were applied on 130 ha; soil analyses will track their long‑term impact.
Cover crops were assessed on eight plots (130 ha) to measure their contribution to soil protection, structure, and biomass return between cash crops.
The ambition is clear: 100% regenerative seed production by 2028.
Promising first measured results
Initial results show positive effects of regenerative practices on carbon balance and production costs. Productivity trends are encouraging, though long‑term confirmation is still needed.
Farms testing nitrogen modulation recorded an average +24% carbon sequestration and around –10% GHG emissions. Reduced tillage generated +30% carbon storage compared with conventional practices. Cost savings were also noted: €28/ha for reduced tillage and €7/ha for nitrogen modulation.
Productivity shows an upward trend, although conclusions remain tentative due to variables such as varieties, field conditions, and weather. Some trials could not be completed, which is part of the learning process and will help refine future protocols.
A strong transition already underway
The 2024 trials helped define a regenerative seed‑production framework, structured into three levels of commitment and refined each year based on pilot‑farm results.
In 2025, 25% of producers reached level 1, which includes maintaining permanent soil cover. The ambition is clear: 100% regenerative seed production by 2028.
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