Torsten Thuresson manages Södergård farm since 1986. He previously worked as a accountant with LRF-konsult for 18 years.
The total farm area is 165 ha. of which 89 ha. is owned. Crop growing is carried out on > 30 fields bordered by roads, ditches and interspersed properties. During 1930s the farm was made up of 25 different farms.
Södergård farm is situated at Löderup right on the south coast, approx. 20 km from Ystad. The farm has considerable natural foreshore pastures (70 ha.) - a natural resource used for beef production on the farm. Beef cattle, 70 purchased bull calves in addition to pre-owed cattle are also important for making use of by products, which arise, from several different processing companies in the region. The farm also includes a pig-fattening herd, in a stable built five years ago.
Crop growing is typical for the district, with a large range of special crops being grown, foremost sugar beet and potatoes in combination with cereals. The crop rotation is adjusted to those crops with best return to land value and investment in irrigation and ditching. The range of crops grown and the area sown is decided in regards to maintaining a sustainable crop rotation. The aim of a suitable crop rotation is to reduce weed pressure and frequency of disease. An important measure is using crop rotation to help reduce wind erosion on light sandy soils. All crops are grown under contract. The area under field peas is to increase. A small watercourse runs through the farm and is of high environmental and natural value. It is therefore important that the use of fertilisers and pesticides be carried out without damage to the surrounding environment. A number of measures have been carried out on Södergård farm which enable the possibility of showing a farming operation that takes into account product quality as well as responsibility for a good production environment. This includes grass covered protective zones along all watercourses and trimming of several km of road edges.

Irrigation using water from four surface wells. Permit to irrigate 3600 m3/day.
Irrigated crops are sugar beet, potatoes, onions, parsnip, as well as meadow seed and malt barley on sandy soils, and with capacity even ley pastures and other cereal crops.
In addition to Torsten, farm labour also includes Tommy Lindström (cropping, farm machinery, and meat production and Robert Persson (pig production). All contribute to documentation and follow up using computer technology. Farm machinery is continually adjusted in accordance with technical developments and primarily though shared machinery park.
 

A large proportion of liquid manure is spread
 using a band spreader in growing crops.

A gravel filter placed in connection with the
drainage system further improves drainage