Headland News Issue 42: ARABLE FOCUS

ISSUE 42 | ARABLE FOCUS

WHEN FARMING MEANS BUSINESS

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WELCOME TO ISSUE 42 Such unusual times add complexity to the decision-making processes that lie ahead. What systems to invest in, which crops to plant, when to buy, when to sell.

One thing that is for certain, is that the World’s need for our industry’s products has seldom been so urgent, nor so pressing.

Optimising the available resources to satisfy this demand, and investing in the right tools to meet this requirement, is the theme of this arable edition of Headland News, our 42nd issue.

Kverneland customers have been generous in sharing their experiences and achievements, and we hope you find them interesting, rewarding and informative. They might even help with some of your decision-making.

SUPPORT FOR PARTS SALES Kevin Waddingham is Kverneland’s parts sales support contact for the dealer network, covering original parts. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the sector, having been in the industry since 1985.

“Original parts are an important aspect of any Kverneland or Simba Great Plains machine, and also to maintain performance of soil engaging equipment,” says Kevin. “And it has become a vital element in the supply chain.”

“With the correct product and parts training, we can share knowledge to ensure our dealers have the correct parts and right levels of stock, ready for when customers walk through the door,” he says.

Kevin’s career started initially with Simba as part of a youth training scheme. He worked his way up through the company to become parts

and warehouse manager through Great Plains ownership, until the business closed in 2017.

He joined Kverneland in 2018 taking on a parts technical support role before stepping up to the position of parts sales and dealer support.

“My role is to support dealers as they plan ahead with stocks of original parts,” he says.

“And part of that process involves visiting farmers and engaging with operators, so our dealers can better understand each farm’s original parts requirements. This will help customers to get the parts they want, when they need them.”

HENDERSON GRASS MACHINERY EXPANDS Joe Bell | Managing Director

Kverneland dealer Henderson Grass Machinery has recently expanded its sales and service area further into East Lothian, following the transfer of the Kverneland franchise from Lothian Tractors.

The company has been supplying the full range of Kverneland equipment from its Selkirk depots for a number of years, with the increased East Lothian area being supported from the Haddington depot.

2022 SHOW DATES Groundswell 22-23 June | Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire

Royal Highland Show 23-26 June | Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

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

Tillage Live 28 September | Dunbar, East Lothian

Scottish Ploughing Championships 22-23 October | Stanstill, Bower, Wick

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KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

LIMITED EDITION ISOMATCH TELLUS PRO Richard Ketteringham of Hall Farm, Moorends, Doncaster, is the winner of a limited edition IsoMatch Tellus PRO universal terminal. The competition was run to celebrate 10 years of IsoMatch GEOCONTROL, highlighting the progression of Kverneland ISOBUS technology and machine control.

control with my drill, and also upgrade to an Exacta TL GEOSPREAD spreader from Farmstar so I can use section control.”

“I was delighted to have been told I had won the IsoMatch Tellus PRO terminal,” says Richard, pictured above left, receiving his terminal from Kverneland’s Graham Owen.

“And this is going to be a really useful bit of kit for me, as I’m looking to move into section

“I can now use the IsoMatch Tellus PRO instead of the tractor screen,” he says.

“Having a larger dual screen now puts lots of information in front of me without having to scroll or swap pages.”

From the 600-acre Hall Farm, Mr Ketteringham operates a pair of Case IH Puma tractors, with both having been wired to take the universal terminal.

Stripping back establishment costs Looking to reduce the cost of producing grain maize, Andy Longman of Snagg Farm near Shepton Mallet, Somerset, has opted for a Kultistrip to develop strip tillage practices for the high value forage crop.

It followed a demonstration in 2021, where a six-row Kultistrip was put to work, preparing ground ahead of a contractor’s eight-row maize drill.

“It was very much trial and error, but we liked what we saw,” explains Andy, pictured below.

“So we bought the Kultistrip and a six-row Optima V from C&O Tractors, to precisely match-up with the cultivated strips. This season’s crop has gone in extremely well, saving time, fuel and establishment cost.”

He says that of last year’s crop, those fields that were strip-tilled yielded 0.7t/acre more than the conventionally grown crop.

“We weigh every load that comes off the combine,” he says.

“I’m sure the yield difference came from the Kultistrip keeping moisture in the seedbed, compared to higher moisture loss from traditional seedbed preparation.”

He says that weed incidence was reduced and has eliminated the need for a pre-emergence spray, enabling any weeds to be knocked out with a postemergence application.

“We’ll still need to plough periodically, but rotationally rather than as an essential part of maize establishment,” says Andy.

“This way, we can make the most of soil biology and micro-organisms.”

He says that taking control of the strip-tillage and drilling processes has created better timeliness, and the opportunity to experiment with pre-drilling cultivations. With the Kultistrip, the surface is stripped clean ahead of soil being loosened across a narrow 150mm strip, courtesy of front cutting discs, a loosening tine and side discs, before being crumbled and firmed by Farmflex rubber press wheels.

“We’ve done a lot more preparation for this year’s crop by switching to two passes,” he says.

“The first was at 6in to set the ground up, then a deeper pass followed a few weeks later at 9in, ahead of drilling.”

“If we can get a front tank sorted, we’ll put fertiliser into the strips instead of broadcasting on top of the seedbed, to increase plant uptake,” he adds. “We’re looking for 1,000 tonnes of grain off 180 acres, using three varieties.”

Operator Chris Keen (pictured below) is impressed with the process.

and Optima V provide enough scope for the soil types and field conditions encountered.

“Sowing depth is as good as guaranteed, no matter what the conditions,” he says. “And without overlaps from electric drive and section control, we’re using less seed. Seed counts are typically 40,000 per acre, and we’re looking to cut back to around 37,000.”

Chris adds that the Optima V’s hydraulically telescoping frame affords easy road transport, and total control of row widths from 40-85cm, handy when precision planting other seed types.

“We bought beet discs too, which brings additional versatility from investing in the drill,” he adds.

Andy Longman is pleased with the changes made to maize establishment at Snagg Farm.

“We’ve just completed 65 acres of maize with one operator and tractor, in just three days and that

Come and see this combination in action at Groundswell, on 22 and 23 June, at Lannock Manor Farm, Hertfordshire. includes the time spent making two passes with the Kultistrip,” he says. “Our Fendt 724 is burning just five litres/acre with the Kultistrip, and 2-3 litres/acre when drilling, which means our diesel use is close to 25% of what we’d normally use for seedbed production.”

He says the key to its success lies in effective cultivation of the area to be occupied by the rows of maize.

“Why should we continue to move all the soil when maize is grown in 75cm row spacings?” he asks. “This is where strip tillage makes so much more sense. The untouched ground helps to carry the weight of machinery, which limits compaction. And not moving so much soil helps to discourage weed germination.”

“With an increase in the cost of diesel this year, and a higher grain price, the Kultistrip should pay for itself in little over 200 acres,” he adds.

“The Kultistrip is an impressive piece of kit, and then the Optima V just raises the bar another notch,” he says. “Seed placement accuracy – both depth and down-the-row-spacing – is amazing. And with RTK guidance, we can match up the six rows perfectly.”

Chris says the range of adjustment on both the Kultistrip

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One-pass plough and press Saving time without compromising on the quality of work it carries out, family farming business AR & SA White of Penwine Farm, St Mabyn, has recently added an ES250 fivefurrow reversible complete with integral Packomat press to its machinery fleet.

“We’ve run Kverneland ploughs for years, but this is our first one with a Packomat,” explains Mark White. “And based on its performance, we’ll probably have another.”

The farm has three ploughs, with the oldest model kept as back-up.

The two newer models handle the bulk of the workload, according to cropping. This includes spring and autumn cultivations, that can see each plough cover around 5-600 acres each year.

The five-furrow format is preferred for the convenience of delivering a generous output with 200hp tractors, and its ability to travel safely between blocks of land compared to a larger plough with additional furrows.

“The Packomat is effectively a free cultivation pass without putting in a wheeling,” he says.

“With slatted boards, we’ve got an efficient ploughing set-up that really suits our soil types. And with a lot of steep land, the ES250 is just the right size of

“It never goes out of line, and it matches up perfectly pass-to-pass.”

plough to get us ahead of planting.”

this spring on his Fendt 724, for Penwine Farm.

Supplied by Vincent Tractors, the plough is used at depths of around 10in for potatoes and 6-7in for cereals, with hydraulic furrow width adjustment making the most of output with the farm’s many different soil types.

“This plough is very easy to set-up,” says Peter. “It never goes out of line, and it matches up perfectly pass-to-pass.”

With an intensive spring workload for potatoes, the business draws on owner-operators to help out, and Peter Alford of Tregarrick Farm (pictured), ran the plough

“I’ve never used a plough with an integral press, and the convenience of ploughing and pressing, compared to my six-furrow plough, is superb. I’d like one of these back at home,” he adds. “And with slatted boards, it pulls easily.”

3300S – THE ALL-ROUNDER

Four Kverneland ploughs are operated by TI Smith of Netherton Farm, Alford, Aberdeenshire. The bulk of the workload is comfortably handled by a 2500S i-Plough and the farm’s most recent plough, a 3300S model with Packomat – all supplied by HRN Tractors.

“The 3300S is as good on the road as it is in the field, thanks to its trailer-towing headstock,” explains Thomas Smith, who farms with his dad Iain, brother Graeme and son Cameron. “It’s just like the i-Plough when in

transport – safe and secure, with no risk of over-hang when turning into gateways.”

get its seedbeds prepared. Typical furrow widths are 16in, and working depths are from 9-11in.

depth wheel is a great addition, and should be on any purchaser’s wish-list.

Around 1,800 acres are ploughed and pressed each year by the two ploughs, as the farm manages tightening weather windows to

Martin Mearns (pictured, far right), who operates the 3300S, favours the revised leg profile, which has seen a reduction in blockages.

“If you happen to be near a deep tramline for example, all it takes is a tug of the spool valve to help carry the plough,” he says. “This creates a more consistent and even finish for the drill, rather than the plough dropping in deeper where there’s a rut. And it’s a really handy feature to have when ploughing headlands.”

“The curved shape of the leg stops a build-up of trash when the going turns wet,” says Martin.

“It’s a big improvement on the older plough leg designs, and is the same as the i-Plough. The 3300S is also a better plough on the trip mechanism – auto reset just seems to work more smoothly.”

In terms of plough specification, he says the 3300S’ hydraulic

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“Having the convenience of the Packomat press makes the 3300S the best all-rounder for the wide variety of soils we encounter,” says Martin. “And with number 28 mouldboards, it’ll take some beating.”

Incorporating stubbles with the Enduro

Product Specification: Enduro 3000 stubble cultivator, Triflex 700 tines with auto-reset, knock-on points, levelling tines, Actipack roller

Harry Needham is steering his family farm towards a no-till future. As part of the farm’s long-term strategy, he has recently invested in an Enduro 3000 stubble cultivator from Farmstar, lessening the workload for the plough.

“We now only plough after sugar beet,” explains Harry who runs J & PJ Needham family farming business from Rookery Farm, Great Hale near Sleaford, along with his uncle Nick.

“And we still have the option of rotational ploughing with our five-furrow Kv LD85, to deal with blackgrass as we make the gradual transition.”

Growing winter wheat, winter and spring barley, peas, sugar beet plus grass leys for hay and haylage, the 300-acre farm is looking to reduce cultivation costs, move less soil and promote better soil health.

“We’re looking to put oilseed rape

“I’m looking to remove any shallow compaction with the Triflex tines,” he says. “And I’ve recently added a three-leg Flatliner subsoiler too, so we can go much deeper where necessary, to remove any historic plough pan.”

Harry’s journey saw the 3m Enduro bought to replace a Great Plains Express with ST bar.

“The Express lacked stagger and space through the cultivator frame, so it wouldn’t perform well enough in all conditions,” he says. “For a mounted machine, the Enduro is a much longer cultivator, so there’s lots of room to move a generous depth of soil through the implement regardless

“For a mounted machine, the Enduro is a much longer cultivator, so there’s lots of room to move a generous depth of soil through the implement regardless of the amount of trash on the surface – it’s quite an impressive bit of kit.”

of the amount of trash on the surface – it’s quite an impressive bit of kit.”

After one pass with the Enduro, seedbed preparation is completed by a 3.3m Cultipress with DD rings, followed by a 4.8m TS Evo drill, then rolled. And with the addition of the Enduro cultivator and Flatliner subsoiler, he says the farm has more options available, depending on weather conditions and stubbles.

“Up until 2014 when we bought the TS Evo, we ploughed and power harrowed everything,” he says. “The TS is a great allrounder. It’s also cost-effective to run, and has been helpful in

steering us into our current min-till processes.”

“If I use the Flatliner instead of the Enduro, then one pass with the Cultipress, the seedbed is good enough to drill,” he adds. “I have total flexibility from these two new implements. And I still have an NG-H 101 4m power harrow, if needed.”

At a depth of around 8in and a forward speed of 10-12kph, he reckons the Enduro offers good output on his JD 6930 tractor.

“I do like Kverneland kit,” he says.

“It’s well engineered, rather than heavy, numb and clumsy. And that also makes it a good fit for our available tractor power.”

and beans into the rotation too, and to add bio-diversity so we can keep increasing organic matter,” he says. “And that’s where the Enduro stubble cultivator will give us a head start on this journey.”

He says the curved shins on outer tines avoids ridging, and the rear levelling tines and packer leave the surface partially finished to encourage drying or accommodate moisture.

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HYDRAULIC DRIVE BOOSTS SPREADER ACCURACY

For Alex Hastie & Co, weigh cells and section control have boosted fertiliser application accuracy at the 550-acre Dolphingstone Farm, Tranent, East Lothian. fields, a drop in engine rpm as the tractor climbs the steeper parts of a field has caught us out when fertiliser spreading. And it’s the only area where we could use more power.”

Product specification: TL GEOSPREAD with iDC, section control, auto-start/stop, 3225 litre hopper capacity

A succession of Kverneland weigh-cell spreaders have performed well for the family farm, with the reference sensor and section control delivering unprecedented accuracy on sloping fields.

But when working on steep slopes, the Hasties have recently

“A lower gear does help, though the trade-off is then less output,” says Iain. “What I really wanted, was a Kv spreader with hydraulic drive, so we could set the disc speed independently of tractor revs.”

noticed that disc speed could be compromised from a fluctuation in tractor revs.

His investment this year in the very latest Exacta TL GEOSPREAD with iDC (intelligent Disc Control) is the solution he sought, and he’s delighted with its performance.

“We use 180hp tractors, which is an ideal size for us – not too big and clumsy in our 24m tramlines, but powerful enough for most jobs,” says Iain Hastie. “But I’ve noticed that on our steepest

“It’s now absolutely superb,” says Iain. “We could never fault the precision of GEOSPREAD section control, or the spreading accuracy on shallower slopes. We tray test too, and invest in quality fertiliser,

“It has unlocked the full potential of spreading performance for us; it’s also saving on fuel by running at lower revs most of the time; and it has improved operator safety.” to make sure we do the best job we can.”

“Eliminating the pto shaft has brought several benefits,” says Iain. “It has unlocked the full potential of spreading performance for us; it’s also saving on fuel by running at lower revs most of the time; and it has improved operator safety.”

“And we no longer have to use an uphill speed and a downhill speed, when spreading on the steeper fields.”

STRESS-FREE SPRAYING

When replacing his 10-year old mounted sprayer, David Jackson looked at many options to find a future-proof solution that would improve output and efficiency at the 300-acre Little White Farm, Brancepeth, County Durham.

“I swapped a 120hp tractor and front tank supplied by local dealer 1,500-litre mounted sprayer for a Paxtons, giving a total carrying 185hp Puma, then looked for a capacity of 2,900-litres. front and rear tank combination,” “It’s a heck of an improvement in explains David. “I thought adding logistics, and is similar to a small a front tank would be better than self-propelled sprayer, but for just carrying a one tonne weight.” much less cost,” he says. “I can His research resulted in a cover more area on a fill, and with Kverneland iXter B18 with iXtra autofill, I can load the sprayer

precisely to suit blocks of land or crop type.”

“The sprayer is so clever that I now put a tramline around poles or obstructions, and treat them like a Sprayer specification includes auto headland,” he says. “The sprayer start-stop for nine sections on the takes care of the rest. And with 24m boom, plus iXclean Pro GPS, it’s really good on grass fields one-touch tank washing and without tramlines.” electric valve management, with control through an IsoMatch Tellus He says liquid transfer is evenly PRO dual screen terminal. balanced, providing good stability on slopes.

“I’m really impressed with the sprayer, and I really like the vertical folding boom – it keeps nozzles away from the cab,” he says. “It mixes easily, washes out effortlessly and it has given me much more precision and output, without having to rush around.”

Product specification: iXter B18, 24m HC boom, iXtra front tank, nine sections, iXclean Pro, autofill

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“It’s important with anything I do that I enjoy it as much as possible – and with this set-up, putting on sprays and liquid fertiliser is no longer a chore,” he adds.

Future-proofed application Individual nozzle control to eliminate overlaps, greater boom stability and a wider boom were all on the wish-list for Wayne Dye, when the time came to replace his 4,000-litre self-propelled sprayer.

“I wanted the very latest in application technology, along with more output and capability,” says Wayne of Long Sutton, Lincs-based DE Dye. “So we bought the highest specification trailed sprayer we could find – and our search led us to the Kverneland iXtrack T4 from Irelands Farm Machinery. Nothing else compared to it with price and specification, and the dealer back-up is second-to-none.”

Wayne (pictured, centre), along with his son Alfie and his father Derek, grow a combination of cereals and potatoes from Brown’s Gate Farm. The wider boom was bought for more output.

“We had been spraying our potatoes at 82in centres with a 27m boom, but using a contractor for cereals at 72in centres on 36m tramlines, to make the most of

“It’s a future-proof purchase that is delivering cost savings and efficiency for us, and to assist Alfie who will eventually take over the business. I wish we’d bought one sooner.”

timings,” he explains. “Now we can also standardise our tramlines at 82in centres.”

axle, drawbar suspension, boom line recirculation and a twoyear warranty.

With individual nozzle control, overlaps are not a problem. He reports that one 12-acre field with 11 corners, is saving the equivalent of one acre of overlap - around 8% - thanks to individual nozzle control.

And the switch to a trailed model has made use of available tractor power – a four-cylinder Fendt 516, which has been fitted with an IsoMatch Tellus PRO dual screen universal terminal, alongside the Vario terminal.

“None of our fields are square, so we’re expecting quite a saving across the farm with our chemical costs over the year,” he says. “And we’ll be producing far better crops as a result.”

“Adding the IsoMatch Tellus PRO makes so much sense,” he says. “I can watch the sprayer functions on the top part of the screen, and the application map on the lower part. It’s a superb combination that compliments the tractor screen, and I can use it with my e-drill Maxi power harrow drill combination too.”

Complete with 4,600-litre tank and 36m boom, he says sprayer specification is impressive with iXspray software, iXclean Pro one-touch rinsing, Boom Guide Pro, IsoMatch Grip programmable joystick, steered and suspended

“I like the way the induction hopper is protected from dirt and debris when closed; the boom sensors automatically fold with the boom for added protection; you can move precise amounts of water from the clean water tank, and using autofill, you’ll always get the tank contents correct for the area being sprayed.

It’s brilliant.”

“Not only is the sprayer easy to use and extremely accurate, it’s also aesthetically pleasing and modern-looking too,” he says. “It’s a future-proof purchase that is delivering cost savings and efficiency for us, and to assist Alfie who will eventually take over the business. I wish we’d bought one sooner.”

Wayne says the attention to detail with the sprayer also stands out.

Product specification: iXtrack T4, 36m HSS boom, 4,600-litre tank, iXspray with iXflow-E individual nozzle control, iXclean Pro, Boom Guide Pro, Autotrac axle steering

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Reliable, weather proof sowing Product specification: 4m e-drill Compact, S-series power harrow with cracker packer, hydraulic coulter bar, CX-II with press wheels, following harrow, pre-emergence markers

Used correctly, a power harrow drill combination is not as costly to run as many might think. That’s the findings of Shropshire grower Tim Benbow, who has favoured the system for many years.

“Depending on the previous crop, we’ll either plough or make a pass with a tined cultivator ahead of the drill,” says Tim (pictured).

“We’ve found that the key is to get your primary cultivation right, so the power harrow drill has very little work to do.”

At the 700-acre Bradeley Farm, Much Wenlock, Mr Benbow favours the system as a weatherproof solution to autumn cultivations. Growing winter wheat, winter barley and oilseed rape, he chooses to work closely to the preceding cultivation pass when planting cereals, so ground can be kept worked up.

“We do have some challenging weather patterns, and with topography rising to 850ft above sea level, we need to be prepared to go, rather than sit it out,” he says. “Our aim is to be drilled-up by the first week of October, rather than miss out.”

“In the very wet autumn of 2019, we successfully planted all but a few acres of headland. It was – and still is – the best solution for our farm,” says Tim.

Your Nearest Dealer:

His latest model is a 4m e-drill Compact with an S-series power harrow supplied by Battlefield Machinery, which replaced an i-Drill. Staying with a cracker packer roller, he chose CX-II coulters with press wheels.

“I like the lightweight but strong engineering, combined with a seed tank that sits over the harrow to keep weight close to the tractor,” he says.

“CX-II is a big improvement,” he adds. “We do have some varied soil types across our fields, and the press wheels do a great job of boosting seed to soil contact, while the coulters deliver a very consistent planting depth.

And I’m a big believer in rolling, to reinforce that seed to soil contact.”

harrow to the required seed depth, and cover up to 60 acres/ day at speeds from 6-10mph. My best day has been 100 acres.”

ISOBUS and an IsoMatch Tellus GO screen, the next step is to look at variable rate seeding.”

“Crop emergence across the farm has been superb, and we’re using seed rates on cereals from just 100-125kg/ha,” he adds. “With

“I like the lightweight but strong engineering, combined with a seed tank that sits over the harrow to keep weight close to the tractor.”

Used with a 4m folding front press and carried on a 180hp JD 7530 shod on 710 tyres, he says the outfit is light on its feet, when in work.

“The front press helps enormously, rather than just carrying a weight block,” he says.

“It means we can run the power

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HEADLAND NEWS JUNE 2022 Headland News is published by Kverneland Group UK Ltd. All rights reserved.

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