Cereals 2017

Fewer machinery exhibitors were at Cereals this year but there was still plenty of new equipment on show, including several products displayed for the first time. The battle against blackgrass continued to be a driving factor in cultivation equipment design while accuracy of applications and cost-savings were emphasised for new precision farming and spraying products. First, David Williams reports from the machinery lines before Dominic Kilburn brings you agronomy news from the event. Claydon announced its mechanical hoe in late April, responding to grower demand for a field-scale tool to combat problem grass weeds in cereal crops. The Claydon direct-drill’s wide-spaced rows lend themselves to mechanical weeding where closer conventional drill row spacing wouldn’t allow the technique. The company kept the design of its TerraBlade front-mounted hoe (right) under wraps until Cereals, at which it generated considerable interest.

Vredestein supplied tyres for New Holland tractors undertaking a 5,000 mile expedition and one of the tractors, fresh from the challenge, was displayed on the company stand. Celebrating 100 years of blue tractor manufacturing the Blue Force Tractor Club arranged and undertook the journey around much of the coastline of the UK and part of Ireland using a T6.145 and a T6.180 supplied by New Holland. The journey took 51 days with the tractors and crew arriving back at New Holland’s Basildon headquarters just two weeks before Cereals. “What has really surprised those who saw the tractors during the latter stages of their journey and since their return is that the tyres still look almost brand new,” commented Apollo Vredestein agricultural tyre specialist Ed Lonergan. “Some of the dealers visited during the last few days of the trek even asked where the tyres had been changed, assuming those fitted were new.” The T6.145 was on 520/70R38s which started life with 51.6mm and finished the journey with 49.0mm at the cleat nose, and 420/70R28s which started life with 41.7mm and finished the journey with 39.0mm. The larger T6.180 was on 650/65R38s which started with 56.0mm and finished with 55.0mm, and 540/65R28s which started with 46.5mm, returning to Basildon with 45.0mm. “The tractors pulled a trailer carrying supplied and a shepherd’s hut to use as a living van for the duration, and travelled on all sorts of road types and surfaces,” added Ed. “We receive comments all the time from agricultural users regarding the superb performance and working life of our tyres and are delighted that this has been highlighted by this very public event. We were really pleased to support the Blue Force Tractor Club initiative which raised a considerable amount for charity.” Donations can be made via www.justgiving. com/coastlinetractorchallenge. On the Vredestein stand with the New Holland T6-145 are (l-r) Apollo Vredestein country manager Karl Naylor, show assistants Emma and Sarah, business development managers Tony Watson and Steve Graham and Ed Lonergan. More over page...

Pedigree shines through Berthoud’s new ‘DARK’ Vantage trailed sprayers. Models: 2800, 3500, 4300, 5500 & 6700 litres, booms from 24 to 44 m

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