Headland News Issue 40

HEADLAND NEWS ISSUE 40

WHEN FARMING MEANS BUSINESS

uk.kverneland.com

WELCOME TO ISSUE 40 One of the greatest qualities the people of this country have, is the ability to do what they believe to be the right thing.

And despite the many challenges we have faced in recent times, we have got up each morning - some a lot earlier than others - done our work, helped those in need and in doing so, ensured we have provided for the needs of society at large.

Our industry continues to play its part in providing a reliable supply of high-quality food, to sustain the nation. And I am sure our industry will continue to perform this vital role, and rise to whatever challenges come our way.

This latest edition of Headland News, the 40th, highlights many of our customers who continue to improve their operations and profitability, assisted by the innovation and efficiency found throughout the Kverneland product range.

With our best wishes for 2022.

Joe Bell | Managing Director

2022 SHOW DATES ScotGrass SRUC Crichton Royal Dumfries 18 May

PAXTONS ON-FARM DELIVERY SERVICE Kverneland dealer JG Paxton & Sons has launched a free, direct-to-farm delivery service for original parts to improve support for its customers in the Borders region.

Called Paxtons Borders Direct, the family-run dealership aims to boost aftersales service and efficiency for its Kverneland customers, by improving access to a greater volume of parts stock, centrally located at its Alnwick depot.

The daily delivery service is provided by area parts and machinery salesman David Taylor,

using a double-cab pickup truck.

Customers ordering Kverneland

For bulky parts and extensive

parts through the centralised

orders that could exceed the

stock at Alnwick before the close

pickup truck’s load capacity, the

of business hours will receive an

service can be further enhanced

on-farm delivery the next day. Mr

using a trailer.

Tallentire says that emergency

“We’re really pleased to be able to offer a reliable, efficient solution for new and existing customers in the Borders region,” explained

Scottish Ploughing Championships Stanstill Farm, Caithness 22-23 October

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KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

apply for an express, same-day delivery service.

“Our aim is to provide a more

Tallentire. “This direct-to-farm

efficient supply of Kverneland

service has the advantage of

parts to the Borders region, while

saving customers valuable time

continuing to deliver excellent

travelling to and from our Alnwick

customer service for all our

depot for non-urgent parts.”

customers,” he says.

C&O EXPANDS ITS AREA

equipment, grass and forage products, diet feeders, fertiliser spreaders, sprayers and precision farming technology.

Kverneland managing director Joe Bell (pictured, left with C&O sales manager Dick Spencer) is confident about the expanded territory.

Royal Highland Show Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh 22-25 June

UK Dairy Day The International Centre, Telford, Shropshire 14 September

by courier, though charges may

Paxton’s managing director Peter

Groundswell Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire 22-23 June

Royal Welsh Show Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells 18-21 July

parts deliveries can be dispatched

Kverneland dealer C&O Tractors is expanding its operating area across the South West of England with the opening of a new depot located at South Petherton, Somerset.

“It is really exciting for C&O to move into Somerset for the first time in our 20-year history,” explained C&O managing director

Andy Coles. “Customers in Somerset will benefit from the resources and experience we have within the C&O Group.”

The expansion sees C&O supply Kverneland equipment to customers in south and central Somerset, and includes an extensive selection of soil preparation and seeding

“This expansion creates an opportunity for new business in addition to supporting existing Kverneland customers in the south and central Somerset area,” he said.

The South Petherton depot gives C&O its fifth depot, in addition to its headquarters in Blandford, Dorset, plus depots in Wilton, Wiltshire; Funtington in West Sussex; and Newport on the Isle of Wight.

ISSUE 40

FERTILISER SPREADER UPDATES FOR 2022 NEW

A host of fertiliser spreader updates are being introduced across the range, to improve longevity and functionality, and simplify maintenance.

The TrimFlow border spreading device is now available as a lefthand side option - in addition to right-hand mounting. This makes all Kverneland spreaders better suited to front-mounting, and provides operational flexibility when negotiating that first headland tramline.

Duplex lift vanes provide greater longevity, thanks to an additional chromium carbide coating layer.

QUALIDISC BRINGS IMPROVED PERFORMANCE NEW

Said to be an extremely hard and corrosion resistant compound used to treat metal parts, it offers greater resistance to wear with more abrasive fertiliser products.

Smaller capacity CL GEOSPREAD models now get higher capacity 2.5t weigh cells. This improves weighing accuracy and reliability during spreading, and road transport when fully laden.

And on larger models, an opening rear bumper creates improved cleaning access, along with a revised design of mudguards that now protects the spreading discs against dirt and debris from the tractor wheels.

ENDURO RANGE ADDS TRAILED MODELS

Revisions to the Qualidisc range have brought increased performance and versatility across a wider range of soil types.

900mm, and for those operating in light, fluffy soils, an optional pair of star discs can be fitted in place of the standard steel levelling discs.

Adjustments to the disc section have brought improved penetration and complete cutting of the soil surface in dry conditions, along with improved levelling on both sides of the machine.

In addition, two frame options are

This has been achieved by increasing the distance between the front and rear disc sections to

Actipress Twin with its u-profile

available on trailed models. This affords a longer chassis to increase the press options available for trailed Qualidisc models. Buyers can choose from the soil-on-soil rings, or the Double Cage rear roller option.

50 YEARS OF KVERNELAND REVERSIBLE POINTS

NEW

Replacing the one-piece plough

point while keeping a softer area around the bolt holes to prevent cracking.

share, Kverneland’s reversible plough point was launched 50 years ago to better withstand

The reversible point has been accompanied by the flush-fit point (1985), the quick-fit point (2002), the knock-on point (2013) and the XHD carbide point (2020), to provide options for more varied soil types.

The Enduro stubble cultivator

Enduro T models offer a tine

more powerful tractors and higher

range has been increased with

spacing of 280mm, row spacing

working speeds.

the introduction of three trailed

of 750mm and an underbeam

versions. Offering working widths

clearance of 870mm.

of 4m, 4.5m and 5m, the hydraulic

Rear roller options can also include

point was subjected to a heat-

Actipress Twin with its u-profile

treatment process to prevent it

suit tractors up to 350hp, and can

rings, or Double Cage type, and

cracking around the bolt holes.

be equipped with Triflex 700 auto-

the trailed chassis design has been

Zone hardening techniques

reset tines with 700kg of release

homologated for a 40km/h road

followed, creating greater hardness

The reversible point has been such a successful design that remains the most sold original Kverneland

force, or shear-bolt protected tines.

speed, and includes road lighting.

around the edges of the plough

plough part, of all time.

folding Enduro T and Enduro Pro T

ISSUE 40

Revised in the early 1980’s to improve its durability, the entire

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

3

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF GEOCONTROL It is 10 years since Kverneland

But innovative software took the

simultaneously managing each

it gave growers the opportunity

Group’s in-house mechatronics

farming industry by storm when

disc’s output without influencing

to save thousands of pounds in

division developed and launched

Kverneland weigh-cell spreaders

the coefficient of variation, was

previously over-applied fertiliser.

a suite of automated machine

gained automatic section control

considered by some to be the work

control systems under the

and auto start/stop functionality.

of the devil.

Called GEOSPREAD, this software

With the ability to reduce overlaps

into thousands of these high-

As part of the iM Farming

development brought a new

to a minimum and correctly apply

tech spreaders now sold around

portfolio, GEOCONTROL has evolved

level of application accuracy and

fertiliser in irregular shaped fields,

the World.

throughout the last decade to

efficiency to market by letting the

include a raft of intelligent machine

spreader automatically adjust the

control solutions. These smart

spread width without impacting on

farming developments are now

the application rate.

GEOCONTROL banner.

available on ISOBUS-ready ploughs, cultivators, cereal drills, precision drills, sprayers, four-rotor rakes and triple mowers.

Over the last 10 years, the success of GEOSPREAD has translated

Linked to a tractor’s GPS, this level of machine automation was well ahead of its time. By varying the discharge point on each spinning

Prior to the development of

disc in relation to tractor position,

GEOCONTROL, section control was

GEOSPREAD could automatically

the preserve of sprayers, and the

vary the spreader’s working width

operator was the control interface.

in 2m sections. All this while

SECTIONAL SAVINGS WITH GEOSPREAD GEOSPREAD, and the savings

Output is typically 200-250ha/day

quickly paid for the spreader.”

at 14-16kph.

Bought in 2015 from local dealer

“Every application is precise. I

Tuckwells, the improvement

know that every bit of fertiliser is

in application accuracy on 30m

going exactly where it should,” he

tramlines, along with a useful

says. “We invest in high quality

reduction of the farm’s annual

fertiliser - Double Top or Nitram

fertiliser spend, were immediately tangible from a reduction in overlaps.

Graham Willoughby was the first to

spinning disc spreader, and is now

put GEOSPREAD through its paces in

a well-proven machine.”

the run-up to its 2012 launch.

Now farm manager at the 1,000ha

“The current high price of fertilisers makes it even easier to justify Kverneland’s GEOSPREAD,” Graham Willoughby, farm manager

– for a consistent product, and it pays off.”

He says base fertilisers are applied at variable rates, while all nitrogen doses are carried out using fixed rates.

“With auto section control and auto start/stop, the accuracy of GEOSPREAD is every bit as good

Back then, as spreader operator for

Maces Farm near Saffron Waldon,

Bishop Stortford-based Scantlebury

Graham says that Kverneland’s

Farm Services, he recalls that the

He says that operator Mark

spreader technology was quickly

accuracy of the spreader was unlike

Gemmill uses the spreader on a

adopted in the guise of an Exacta

JD6215R, with ISOBUS connectivity

anything he’d ever seen or used.

TL GEOSPREAD.

loading the spreader controls into

“I remember thinking to myself, I

“When I joined the farm, fertiliser

never thought fertiliser spreading

spreading was a backward step,”

“A Command Pro joystick means

could be this good,” he recalls.

he says. “Past experience told

we don’t need to use the

“The current high price of fertilisers

“And it has gone way beyond

me we could save at least 2-3%

touchscreen – it’s simple and

makes it even easier to justify

what I ever thought possible for a

by changing to an Exacta TL with

intuitive,” adds Graham.

Kverneland’s GEOSPREAD,” he says.

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KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

as a sprayer applying liquid with

the tractor’s universal terminal.

regular section control,” he says.

Mr Willoughby reckons that it’s now more important than ever to consider where costs can be controlled, or reduced.

ISSUE 40

HOW PLOUGHING CAN LESSEN CLIMATE CHANGE

Land use and soil management has an impact on CO2 emissions - hence the climate change phenomenon.

Yet the humus content in soils plays an important role in storing carbon, and ploughing creates humus - contributing to a reduction in CO2 emissions and N20 emissions.

WHY PLOUGH WITH KVERNELAND?

Carbon is in the air and through photosynthesis, plants take the carbon from CO2, combine it with hydrogen from soil-borne water and, using energy from the sun, produce sugar. A plant’s metabolism takes that sugar and makes complex molecules recognised as a plant, later referred to as organic matter.

the entry of organic materials into the soil; and the conversion, decomposition and stabilisation of organic materials in the soil.

agriculture along with forestry

Humus, found in the top layer of

has the ability to store carbon

soil, consists of plant residues

term stable humus - measured in

and act as a natural greenhouse

transformed by soil animals and

gas sink. However, soil carbon

micro-organisms into organic

can be released by means of

matter. This provides nutrients for

Soil humus content needs to

CO2 emissions, and nitrogen by

plants, absorbs water like a sponge

be preserved. When evaluating

means of nitrous oxide (N20),

and holds soil together.

the impact on humus content

“Ploughing is an essential step

of different crop establishment

towards achieving high yields,”

systems, the results are clear:

explains Adam Burt, Kverneland

Unlike all other economic sectors,

which increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Humus has a positive effect on yield potential and yield security.

Soils used for agriculture are by

In addition to providing generous

far the largest terrestrial storage

water storage and availability,

of organic carbon. Though storage

humus-rich soils warm up quickly

capacity varies from region to

in spring due to their dark colour,

region, depending on soil types.

which encourages plant growth.

Peatland soils, for example, can store far more organic carbon than mineral soils.

Representing almost 60% of the composition of humus, carbon is the most important element of

Humus is a key influencer of climate: if the supply of organic carbon in the soil decreases, carbon dioxide (CO2) is released. If the supply increases, CO2 is fixed by being sequestrated in the soil. Long kg/ha - is particularly important for

Kverneland ploughs give you the

climate protection.

very best opportunity to manage seedbed for crop production.

non-tillage and reduced

product manager. “And by using

tillage techniques do not

the plough, we’re also controlling

have any positive effect on

weeds and pests mechanically,

humus establishment.

rather than using chemicals.”

In more than 100 field studies

“The Kverneland range offers a

conducted in Germany, analysing

full range of bodies, to suit many

the entire soil profile, the

different soil types,” he says.

Thünen Institute concluded: crop

“Plough set-up is also simple and

establishment systems without

And this is why it is important

soil organic matter. The proportion

to consider land usage and soil

of humus in the soil results from

tillage result in a far lower storage

management, to control the impact

a complex interplay between the amount and composition of

studies, there was even a loss

on climate change.

residues, and create the best

straightforward, making it even easier to produce the very best

of carbon per ha and year. In many

ploughing results.”

of humus.

(Source: Thünen Report No.64, November 2018, page 194).

An explanation is given by Dr Axel

are also

Don, Thünen Institute: “Humus

showed

derives from root and crop residues

in a pan

as well as from organic fertilisers

European study called

such as manure and slurry. It

“Catch C Project.”

enters the soil mainly from the

Ploughing is referred to

top. Without soil inversion with a

scientifically as an efficient crop

plough, the newly formed humus

establishment technique which

remains close to the surface and is

helps create humus, sequestrate

not mixed into the topsoil evenly.

And there is an additional negative effect: without loosening the soil, there is a likelihood for increased microbial nitrate decomposition and higher nitrous oxide emissions (N20). This gas is 300 times more harmful to the climate than CO2.”

Similar results and conclusions

ISSUE 40

CO2 and prevent N20 harmful gas release to the atmosphere.

Done properly, it is an efficient, non-chemical method for seedbed preparation; it controls weeds, slugs and pest. Ploughing repairs damaged fields and creates optimal conditions for plant growth.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

5

MORE TUNGSTEN CHOICES WITH XHD AND XHD PLUS ploughs and power harrows.

As a result, the XHD Carbide range now comprises two lines – the ultimate specification will be known as XHD Plus, while a lower cost series is being introduced, known simply as XHD.

The success of XHD Carbide

tungsten carbide-tipped parts for

launched two years ago has led

Kverneland customers, increasing the choice and availability, for

to the development of yet more

XHD FOR POWER HARROWS Working on a range of abrasive soils from sand to clay, Norfolk grower Daniel Cole of GF Cole & Son has uprated his 6m NG-H folding power harrow with XHD tungsten tines.

“XHD tines last 10 times that of original power harrow tines,” Daniel Cole, farmer “I really do dislike downtime,” explains Daniel Cole based at Lodge Farm, Winfarthing, with his dad Eric and brother Ben. “And given the abrasive nature of our soils, it’s very easy to waste an enormous amount of time changing worn metal.”

6

Until recently, that downtime amounted to two hours every time the power harrow tines needed replacing. Though Daniel confesses to swapping from original metal to non-original tungsten for longevity, but it was his local dealer Tuckwells who proactively floated the idea of Kverneland XHD parts.

“We’ve been extremely impressed with the uptake of our XHD Carbide original parts,” explains Kverneland Group parts marketing manager Richard Bennett. “The demand from customers is that they want more choice, but with wear rates and a price point somewhere between the ultimate specification of XHD Plus and original factory parts.”

“This is where the latest XHD series slots into the range, thanks to the inclusion of a smaller tungsten tile,” he says. “These new XHD components will be available for Spring 2022.”

Available for ploughs, the lower cost XHD series currently includes a plough point and a profiled share – the latter as 16in and 18in components. XHD also uses corner tiles that wrap around the leading edge, to prevent the hard-wearing elements from being damaged or knocked off by hidden objects, when leading edges are put to work.

format of the Kverneland tungsten tile.

plough and power harrow are not used.

“This feature maintains the length

“We also have an LO 100 six-furrow reversible, and I’ve also fitted the plough with XHD metal for the point, wing and shin,” he says.

“Where we’d be lucky to get up to 50 acres from a set of bolt-on reversible points in hard, sandy soils, the LO has now done close to 2,000 acres on the same XHD points. These parts have made ploughing much more attractive as a viable form of weed control on our soils.”

of the tine for much longer, so the power harrow does a better job over many more acres,” he says. “The tines no longer get shorter, which keeps the gearbox trough and the tine holders out of the soil.”

The farm favours min-till, but Daniel adds that there’s not a season that goes by when the

“I have to say that I’m very impressed with XHD,” he says. “XHD tines last 10 times that of original power harrow tines, and also far longer than non-original tungsten items. And this saves me a lot of downtime.”

He says that an additional advantage is the wrap-around

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

Following its successful trial of XHD Plus on its 10-furrow RW plough, Lincs-based GR Ward has decided to equip the entire plough with XHD Plus components. This includes points, shins, shares, landsides and skimmer shares for the remaining nine left- and righthand bodies.

of labour and lost productivity

“The cost of this might be considerable, but so is the cost

that’s a level of productivity I am

when swapping metal on a plough this big,” explains farms manager Dan Oldershaw-Glenn.

“We could soon lose a week’s ploughing over a season, just on time spent replacing wearing metal,” he says. “And when you’re covering 60 acres/day, happy to have back.”

ISSUE 40

SILOKING PREMIUM IMPROVES FEEDING PERFORMANCE

He says that in addition to homegrown forage, all grain produced from Clochan Farm’s 1,300 acres of combinable crops is also consumed by the beef herd.

PLAIN TRIPLE BOOSTS HAY-MAKING OUTPUT For Jasper Gutteridge of Weymouth,

quickly. The plain disc also leaves

Dorset-based Hogleaze Haylage,

a longer, unbroken stem which

performance and productivity are

means less dust.”

With the emphasis on finishing

He says tractor power was an

Morrisons, Michael Wilson is keen

key contributors to high quality hay and haylage.

“Good weather isn’t as abundant as it once was, and in 2021 we only had three spells of really good weather to get our hay made,” explains Jasper. “We had to grab those opportunities – when conditions are right, ground coverage is the key.”

He says that going up from a 3.2m mower conditioner to a 9m plain disc triple for the 2021 season has proved to be a revelation. Supplied

important consideration.

“I don’t have a 250hp tractor, so

2,000 head of beef each year for to ensure liveweight gains achieve 1.5kg/day.

getting good output from just

“We feed a variety of mixes to our

150hp was also essential,” he adds.

cattle, which can include baled

“But I also swap blades regularly,

and clamp silage, straw, potatoes,

to leave a clean cut to encourage

minerals and processed grain,” he

rapid regrowth, and I have to say

says. “Through the winter, we’re

I’ve been very impressed.”

feeding around 15 loads each week

“Ground contour following is great,

farm locations. So this has to be a

particularly with the front mower, and the whole outfit is very easy to set-up and use,” he adds.

to over 1,200 head, at five different quick and efficient process.”

Farming 2,000 acres from Clochan Farm, Auchnagatt in Aberdeenshire, AT Wilson has recently invested

by C&O Tractors, the 5087M

Making several thousand

butterfly and 2832F front-mounted

conventional and 80x70 four-string

mowers have completely changed

bales, Mr Gutteridge has been

his haymaking business.

using a six-rotor and an eight-rotor

Having cut 1,000 acres last

Kverneland tedder to make the

season, he is upbeat about the

most of drying.

mower’s productivity.

“The smaller six-rotor model is

“I don’t need to spend all day

being replaced by a 10-rotor for

mowing just to keep up,” he says.

2022, as I look for even more

“I can delay mowing to make the

output,” he says. “We’re driven by

we bought a 26 cube Premium

most of conditions, and spread a lot

quality forage, so we have to stay

3022 model – it’s a simpler, but

of grass behind the mowers very

one step ahead of the weather.”

larger, twin-auger trailed machine.”

ISSUE 40

in a replacement Siloking mixer wagon from HRN Tractors, to

“With remote access to different rations when loading, the whole process is much more efficient,” Michael Wilson, farmer “We do process a lot of wheat and barley for use in the rations, so we opted for a central rear door to allow processed grains to be stockpiled ready for mixing into rations,” he says. “We don’t need a cross-conveyor either, so having a wide feed door on both sides of the wagon makes it easy to drop feed at the barriers.”

“And it does empty so much quicker and easier, thanks to its wide doors.”

Specification also includes a Bluetooth in-cab controller in the cab of the telehandler.

improve productivity and reduce feeding times.

“Feeding had been done using a smaller 22 cube Siloking model, which had been very reliable and it produced a great ration,” he says.

“We just needed more output, so

“It’s a much better machine all round, and with remote access to different rations when loading, the whole process is much more efficient,” he says. “Our previous Siloking was so good, that I just didn’t think about buying any other mixer wagon.”

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

7

PLOUGHS AND PRESSES RULE THE ROOST AT FARMLAY an ideal width for our soil types,” says Iain. “This is the best set-up for us, and it lets us drill straight behind the plough and press, in a weather-proof process.”

With land spread around Strichen, the farm chooses to block-crop, to simplify logistics.

He says the business did consider a larger, semi-mounted plough, but the improvements found in the 3400S - such as the plough’s innovative trailer transport system - quickly ruled out that option.

“The way this new plough travels, is just superb,” he says. “It’s now much safer and easier to transport a big, fully mounted plough thanks

With 400,000 laying birds, Farmlay

It is a business that prides itself on

The farm has recently invested in

Eggs at Strichen, Aberdeenshire,

working to the highest standards

a 3400S new generation six-furrow

generates a plentiful supply of

possible, which transcends across

plough, complete with number

chicken manure for use across

its farming operation and is also

28 bodies and a 3.15m double

the 1,700-acres of arable crops

reflected in its machinery and

packer. It joins a six-furrow EO with

“We’ve found that the aero profile

it grows.

equipment choices.

slatted boards, while a 20-year

leg is better with trash, the

In return, all the cereals it produces

“We look for the most suitable kit

old five-furrow model is available

central skimmer adjustment is

are fed back into the poultry

for our farm, which includes build

should the weather demand more

quick and easy, and the hydraulic

operation, simplifying traceability

quality, dealer support and backup.

productivity. And presses form an

depth wheel is a must-have

“The way this new plough travels, is just superb,” Iain Chapman, farmer

regime on the farm’s loamy soils.

and guaranteeing feed quality, as the business focusses on maintaining the highest levels of bird welfare.

Run by husband and wife team Robert and Ethel Chapman along with their son Iain (pictured),

And we are big fans of Kverneland

integral part of the soil inversion

“Harvest and autumn drilling is often very condensed,” he says.

“We need bigger kit and more productivity to make the most of

to this development. And there’s no compromise in performance once we’re in the field.”

option. It’s made headlands easier and neater.”

Complimenting the plough is a set of XHD wearing parts, fitted just to the front furrow to evaluate wear rates against original metal.

the limited opportunities available,

“We usually fit four or five sets of

before the onset of winter. So each

points in a season, and so far, the

Farmlay Eggs is one of the largest

ploughs,” explains Iain Chapman.

egg producers in Scotland. As

“With the exception of oilseed

part of a 600,000-bird producer

rape, all our crops are established

group, Farmlay Eggs currently

using a plough-based cultivation

packs and supplies around five

system. And we’ve currently got

million eggs each week, mostly to

three ploughs, all supplied by

“We also plough on-land, using

forward over our EO model, that I

Scottish consumers.

HRN Tractors.”

auto-steering, and 16in furrows are

wouldn’t consider anything else.”

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KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

plough needs to be turning over an average of 50 acres/day, working at 8-9in deep.”

XHD has covered 800 acres and still looks superb,” he says. “Even without the XHD parts, this new 3400S plough is such a big step

ISSUE 40

OPTIMA SX COMBINES SPEED WITH PRECISION to cover 100-150 acres/day with the eight-row.”

“But it’s just so versatile, that we’ve also planted a few pumpkin patches too.”

“I really like the accuracy,” he says. “We’ve been saving seed for customers because the drill accurately plants the recommended 45,000 seeds/acre, and there’s usually 50,000 in a bag. So we’ve got rid of overlaps, and there’s no waste, which also helps to reduce establishment costs for our customers.”

For D&C Wrennall, the move

always run Kverneland precision

year, but plants a smaller acreage.

up from a six-row mechanical

drills, but with this latest model,

Working closely with AD plant

precision drill to an eight-row

electric drive technology with

customers - in addition to dairy

electric-drive Optima SX has

automatic section control is now

customers – Dan says the capacity

boosted performance and

well-proven, and unlikely to

of the high-performance SX model

productivity for the Leyland,

change anytime soon. So this

has created an opportunity to grow

Lancashire-based family firm.

effectively future-proofs our maize

the business.

“Where we could plant six rows

drilling for the next 10 years.”

“We’ve been planting between

at just under 10kph, we’re now

D&C Wrennall based at Culshaws

1,000 and 2,000 acres with the

putting in eight rows at 16-17kph,”

Farm currently harvests around

Optima SX,” says Dan. “When

explains Dan Wrennall. “We’ve

3,500-4,000 acres of maize each

you’re on a good seedbed, it’s easy

Supplied by local dealer Clarke & Pulman, the eight-row, trailed Optima SX came with a Tellus Pro universal terminal, though the ISOBUS connectivity lets Dan run the drill directly through the tractor’s own screen.

“We’ve run the drill on a Fendt, and more recently have switched to John Deere 6155R,” he says.

“And if I do need any help, then technical support from Kverneland’s Tim Rigby is excellent, and never far away.”

ACTILINE PACKER ENCOURAGES GERMINATION With a preference for a weather-proof establishment system, Staffordshire grower Nick Galbraith has remained loyal to the power-harrow drill combination.

His latest version, an e-drill compact with NGH power harrow, offers many improvements over his previous 3m system.

Though it is the latest Actiline rear packer roller that attracts the greatest accolades.

perhaps the best aspect of an already impressive combination.

There’s no chance the roller will be swapped.”

PG Galbraith and Partners grows 260 acres of cereals, along with stubble turnips and grass, the latter to support 400 ewes. Cultivations are carried out using a Kverneland 150S five-furrow reversible plough with number 28 bodies, followed by the e-drill.

“I was hesitant about the new rear

“We have soils that range from

roller design, and supplying dealer

sand to clay – and often across

Battlefield Machinery did offer to

the same field,” he adds. “And this

replace it if I wasn’t satisfied with

year, the germination has been

its performance,” explains Nick

totally even, regardless of soil type.

Galbraith, who farms 400 acres

I believe this is a combination of

from Shebdon Farm near Newport,

CX Plus coulters and the power

with his brother James.

harrow’s new rear roller.”

“And I have to say, that it is

He says the Actiline roller provides

ISSUE 40

“I’ve been really impressed with the establishment we’ve had,” Nick Galbraith, farmer a consistent level of consolidation, allowing the coulters to work accurately and efficiently.

“Soil to seed contact is effective, and with such a precise sowing depth, we’ve seen a marked improvement in germination this year,” he says. “I’ve been really impressed with the establishment we’ve had with grass, stubble turnips and cereals.”

He says the combination also offers variable seed rate capability, which he has operated manually through the Tellus GO in-cab terminal, in the absence of any GPS on the farm’s two 150hp tractors.

“The next new tractor is likely to have auto-steering, so the e-drill is a future-proofed purchase, helped by it being equipped with ISOBUS,” adds Nick.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

9

6300S SUITS CONTRACT PLOUGHING For Chris Hooper of Cornbury Farm Contracting, the move from fully-mounted to semi-mounted plough has brought safety and convenience to primary cultivations for the Wiltshire-based family farming and contracting business.

“We have land spread across Wiltshire and Hampshire, so road safety was just as important as the quality of ploughing we produce,” explains Chris Hooper (pictured) who, alongside his dad Mike and uncle Nick, farm 1,300 acres of arable crops and 3,000 acres of grassland across Salisbury plain.

“The quality of finish was superb,

frequently, to even-out the wear –

with build quality to match,” he

they are so easy to swap.”

says. “So we ordered a six-furrow 6300S with knock-on points, 28 bodies and a press arm, from our local dealer Chandlers.”

Chris says that the plough has

“We’re not setting records, but want the best quality finish we can get,” he says. “Ploughing must be level, clean and properly matched up. And the 6300S gives us exactly that.”

performed brilliantly in its first season.

“Furrow widths are mostly 16in, but the vari-width makes it really easy to tidy up on headlands,” he says. “It’s just such an easy plough to use.”

“The plough still has an important

The 6300S features the aero-profile

place in our line-up, and for many

leg, centrally adjusted skimmers,

of our customers,” says Chris.

100cm point-to-point clearance

“But we wanted to get away from

and steered rear wheel to

a six-furrow fully-mounted. We

improve manoeuvrability.

borrowed a Kverneland vari-width

Pulled by the farm’s Valtra T214, running in-furrow on 710 rear tyres, Chris says the finish is fantastic, with outputs of around 40 acres/ day, depending on depth and

soil type.

plough on number 28 bodies from

“On the road, the 6300S tows like

a neighbour, and knew almost

a trailer,” he says. “It’s safe and

immediately that we had to

stable, and in the field, it is a joy

have a Kv.”

to use. I turn the knock-on points

“’The quality of ploughing has improved thanks to the 6300S,” Chris Hooper, Cornbury Farm Contracting

HIGH-FLOW WITH HIGH ACCURACY Growing 3,000 acres of brassicas

an Exacta TLX with GEOSPREAD

Bought in 2021 to replace a

high flow capability,” he says. “And

around Spalding, Lincs, family-

capability.

TL model from Irelands Farm

with section control and border

Machinery, the TLX features a high-

spreading device, we’re confident

capacity Centreflow dosing system

that fertiliser goes where it should.

to deliver greater productivity at

It’s very easy to see the spread

owned vegetable producer PC Thorold invests up to £500,000 each year on fertilisers. Making

“The TLX is our second GEOSPREAD, and the accuracy and performance is just superb,” says farm manager

sure every kilo produces a

Steve Mayfield. “We can’t afford to

consistent crop, the firm relies on

get it wrong.”

“We’ve saved thousands by using GEOSPREAD,” Steve Mayfield, farm manager

high application rates, with no loss of accuracy.

“We apply a blended base fertiliser with a small amount of nitrogen at a rate of 1,200kg/ha, directly onto seedbeds at 36m, which is incorporated during the last cultivation pass,” explains Steve.

With a hopper capable of carrying seven 600kg bags, and used on a Fendt 828 with ISOBUS, each load covers just 3.5ha. Fertiliser is taken to the fields, keeping downtime to a minimum, and output is

more output compared to the TL,

up considerably when applying

which improves our timings.”

nitrogen to the growing crop at 150kg/ha.

calabrese, brussels sprouts, savoy

“We’ve saved thousands by using

and pointed cabbage, plus red

GEOSPREAD,” he says. “Watching

and white cabbage. Half the area

the auto section control adjust the

produces three crops every two

throw is pretty good. But it’s more

years, with the remaining class one

than that - the technical back-up

silt soils yielding two crops/year.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

helps us to produce an even crop.”

“And the TLX has given us 40%

Cropping includes cauliflower,

10

pattern on the seedbed, and this

and assistance we get from both

“We’re travelling so much faster

Irelands and Kverneland is very,

over the ground thanks to the TLX’s

very good.”

ISSUE 40

U-DRILL IMPRESSES WITH ESTABLISHMENT When Bill Gray sought more drilling output for the 560ha Preston Hall Farms at Pathhead in the Scottish Lowlands, the move from 4m up to 6m brought considerable choice to the table.

Though it was quickly narrowed down after reading a magazine group test that highlighted the u-drill’s capabilities.

“I was looking for a grain and fertiliser option at 6m to remove an autumn fertiliser application and get crops off to a better start,” says Bill Gray (pictured with operator Alastair Hogg). “We also wanted the ability to work on ploughing and min-tilled soils.”

“I looked at many options, and the u-drill provided value for money, it was backed up by Kverneland’s reputation and supported by specialist knowledge from product manager Graham Owen,” he

ISSUE 40

says. “And a demonstration from supplying dealer Lothian Tractors soon proved that it would do what we were looking for.”

With two seasons under its belt, the drill continues to help Preston Hall to push forward with new establishment opportunities.

These include variable seed rates and cover crop varieties, and more recently, a field test to direct drill oilseed rape after winter barley (pictured, below right).

“I wanted to sow oilseed rape direct into stubbles, just to see how the drill performs,” he says.

“I thought we’d try a 7ha field, and just to make it more beneficial, I included Berseem Egyptian clover mixed in with the rape seed.”

He says OSR was established at 50 seeds per square metre, with the clover companion crop used only as

an establishment aid.

“Berseem is a vigorous rooter, which has helped the plants to put down their tap roots. It could be viewed as providing some soil disturbance below the surface, potentially making up for the direct drill approach,” he adds. “It’ll be interesting to see how it yields – 4.5t/ha is our benchmark.”

With a rotation that includes winter wheat, winter oats, winter oilseed rape and both winter and spring barley, Mr Gray says the farm is also pushing more and more into cover crops, to develop soil biology.

“We’ve got quite a variation in soil types, from sandy clay loam over clay, with a lot of stones too.

Though the u-drill handles this with some confidence,” he says. “With full-width front and rear press wheels, it rides very well, and we’ve found that 12-14kph is the

sweet spot for coulter control and pressure, on our land.”

Operator Alastair Hogg agrees.

“I can cover 40ha/day quite comfortably,” says Alastair. “The drill also travels well on the road, which is useful given the spread of land we’re farming.”

“On 24m tramlines, we’re saving seed compared to our old 4m drill,” he adds. “Half-width shut-off does help, and we’re finding that the u-drill’s seed placement is better if we move less soil, and work on a firmer seedbed.”

Mr Gray says that the farm continues to evolve, and is learning to push boundaries more and more each season.

“You do need to ask yourself if there’s a better way,” explains Bill. “Don’t be afraid to try different approaches, as you balance crop production against financial stability.”

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

11

STRIP-TILLING FOR BEET

Heavier soils get an autumn pass to create ‘winter strips’, with soil moved to full depth of 20-25cm, before freshening up in the spring.

Once the soil has ‘hazed over’, the precision drill goes in.

Mr Robinson likes the simplicity of the strip-till system, which

“We’re moving the soil less and have been able to cut out one herbicide pass. Working into cover crop residue does leave a scruffy seed bed, but it also binds the soil and we’re not seeing any wind erosion on lighter soils, which can cut young sugar beet off.”

“We’ve reduced our cultivation costs to £40-45/ha,” Jack Robinson, farmer Reducing cultivations for sugar beet establishment has been an ongoing project for J & HM Robinson of North Creake, Norfolk.

After adopting a tined cultivator to prepare seedbeds ahead of sugar beet, partner Jack Robinson (pictured above) was keen to progress with strip-tillage. Having used a six-row demo machine from supplying dealer TNS for two seasons, he joined forces with Barsham Estates, working with farm manager Stuart Law, to then purchase a 12-row Kultistrip for spring 2021.

“In the first year, we trialled on a

36m tramline in one field, then the following year we trialled across 10ha,” explains Jack Robinson.

“In spring 2021 we then used our 12-row version for the first time, growing 210ha of sugar beet between us, using strip tillage techniques.”

The Kultistrip works into cover crop residues and can prepare a seedbed for the farm’s 12-row Kverneland Monopill precision drill, in one pass on lighter soils.

“We’ve reduced our cultivation costs to £40-45/ha,” he says.

“There’s a significant time saving too, as the 6m Kultistrip will cover 40ha/day in some fields.”

uses finger wheels to move trash, ahead of a leading disc, tine and rear press wheels.

“We currently place liquid DAP when drilling and slightly shallower than we would like, but the Kultistrip can also place fertiliser, which would allow us to put it under the seed. It’s not a huge job and it’s on the list to consider.”

He comments that the partnership’s 300hp tractor handles the Kultistrip comfortably.

“We aim to work at 8-10kph – you don’t want to go too quickly and ‘boil’ the soil. Conditions also need to be right; it’s possible to really cover the ground with it, so we’ve learned to wait.”

Results have been pleasing, he says.

“It works really well – the Kultistrip takes the hassle out of preparing land for beet. With unworked strips of ground between the rows, our fields also carry the harvester better.”

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Moisture conservation is another benefit.

“We’re drilling into moisture, and if the soils are loose we can put the seed in deeper, as it leaves a highly friable strip which is very easy to drill into.”

The partners are also considering other opportunities for the Kultistrip.

“We’ve already hired it out to a local farm for maize, and it would be easy to put a seeder on the Kultistrip for oilseed rape establishment.”

Mr Robinson says that investing in sugar beet machinery was a big commitment.

“Our confidence has grown and we are happy that we are establishing the crop cost-effectively. And sharing with another farm has made this an even better choice,” he says. “Not just financially – it’s an opportunity to share knowledge, which is not something that farmers are very good at.”

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HEADLAND NEWS JANUARY 2022 Headland News is published by Kverneland Group UK Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means electronic, photographic, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.