tillage Best crop establishment practice
Autumn 2015
Practical Sorting out problemMasterclass soils Fundamentals
Case study
Case Study
Knowledge Bank
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The influence of drainage on blackgrass
Big picture Case study Expansion pays off
Insight Track technology and what to look for
til la g in for e. du th o st e la rg ry t ne est .u w k s
The cost of taking on land
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Contents
Tillage News
4- 7
The latest developments from the industry
Practical
8- 15
Rectification of problem soils, this second part of the series gives practical advice on addressing the issues
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Case Study
16 - 19
The influence of drainage on blackgrass – one contractors perspective
Big Picture
20 - 23
The cost of expansion, this article examines the factors to consider when the block of land next door, or elsewhere comes up.
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Case Study
24- 27
How one Bedfordshire farmers approach to expansion is working out
Insight
28- 33
Updates in track technology, plus advice on maintenance and buying second-hand
Tech Update
34- 35
New developments in the market
Tillage Autumn 2015
Tillage News
GEARING-UP FOR TILLAGE-LIVE 2015 With farm margins under pressure and increased demand for machines capable of optimising crop quality and yields, there’s never been a better time to visit one of the greatest technical demo events on the arable farmers’ calendar – Tillage-Live. Technology is advancing rapidly when it comes to soil
Technology is advancing rapidly when it comes to soil management and cultivation management and cultivation. Different methods, whether old and tested or new and innovative are all worth considering and Tillage-Live, taking place on Wednesday 16th September at Croft Farms, Croft-on-Tees, North Yorkshire, is where visitors will get the opportunity to
compare technology in the field under realistic farm conditions. Flooded fields for days on end are a nightmare for farmers. Wet headlands is often an issue in preventing delayed drilling, especially on clay based soils, and since the autumn of 2012 drainage has become a very real issue in the UK. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), one of the events key sponsors, will be launching a ‘Best practice for drainage maintenance and renewal’ publication, which will be available to pick up for the first time at Tillage-Live. The publication describes best management practice to maximise the drainage capacity of existing systems and optimise financial returns. It covers the basic principles of drainage design and maintenance and provides
TILLAGE-LIVE GOES NORTH Tillage-Live, the national cultivation event that gives the farming community a unique opportunity to see the latest equipment at work alongside the chance to discuss new ideas with industry-leading experts, takes place this year on Wednesday 16th September 2015 at Croft Farms, Croft on Tees, North Yorkshire, by kind permission of Croft Farms. The event which runs from
Tillage Autumn 2015
8am to 3pm, offers operators hands-on experience with the latest equipment and the chance to compare performance on the same soil type on the same day. NRoSO & BASIS points are available. BASF will be this year’s Crop Protection Partners for the event. Agronomy managers from across the UK will be there to welcome farmers to their stand. A team of experts will be talking
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Duncan Russell
guidance on soil management to maximise drainage benefits. “This year’s Tillage-Live is filled with lots of helpful information. The Knowledge Trail will again provide visitors with access to valuable, indepth advice from industry experts on a whole variety of topics. As the largest cultivation demonstration in the UK, Tillage-Live gives progressive growers the opportunity to view the latest and most innovative cultivation and seedbed preparation equipment and drills at work on large scale plots, “said organiser Duncan Russell of the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).
weed control in cereals and oilseed rape throughout the day. At the event, sponsors AHDB will launch a publication to help improve drainage in a cost effective way.
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Tillage News
New App launched to keep farmers ‘water aware’
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new APP to help farmers and advisers prevent key pesticides entering raw water supplies – and avoid further restrictions being placed on products - is being launched by Adama. As part of Adama’s WaterAware initiative, the WaterAware APP spatially assimilates soil type and the associated soil moisture deficit information along with forecast weather, to provide farmers with a simple yes/no guide with regard to the timing of spray and pellet applications and the potential risk to surface water. “WaterAware helps farmers to identify the potential risk from applying a product on a particular day, given their on farm conditions, in order to minimize the risk of pesticides entering surface water supplies,” says Dr Paul Fogg, Senior Crop Team Leader at Adama. “UK agriculture has lost over
70% of the active substances at its disposal since the early 1990s,” says Ali Bosher, Marketing Manager at Adama, “and this, combined with the increasing technical challenges posed by resistance, increased EU legislation and the lack of new modes of action means that we need to do all that we can to protect the remaining actives at our disposal.” Jacky Atkinson from the Drinking Water Inspectorate notes that efforts to date, whilst achieving some success, still need to be improved upon: “A raft of measures have been put in place and have demonstrated some really promising results in some areas. However, for metaldehyde specifically, the next two year period is critical and by 2018 companies must assess whether they need to do something more robust over and above existing guidelines.”
Increasing interest in precision technology across UK farms
Results from the largest nationwide survey on the use of precision technology, conducted by Hutchinsons, has revealed detailed insight into the level of uptake of precision farming across UK farms, how growers use precision farming systems and how they intend on using them in the future. The objective of the Hutchinsons survey was to test these theories and to provide some definition to how farmers are using precision technology on farm and where they see future developments.
Key survey findings (from 1100 respondents):
WaterAware App • GPS located to allow specific field reviews • Automatic soil classification utilising British Geological survey MySoil-UKSO Platforms • Met office weather data allowing a view of spraying potential “today” and in 72 hours • Use of Soil Moisture deficit MORECS
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• Pesticides identified by VI and Water Authorities • Calibrated for use with OSR, Winter Wheat and Grassland Together this data allows tailored decision support for the application of chemicals in water sensitive areas.
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• 70% are already using Precision Farming technology • 55% use auto steering and guidance • 40% vary seed rates • 30% Vary N applications using satellite imagery • 20% Vary N using tractor mounted imaging • 50% plan to increase use of Precision agronomy in the next 12 months
Tillage Autumn 2015
Tillage News
Tougher recommendations announced on the use of metazachlor to protect water this autumn
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dama and BASF have announced more stringent recommendations for the autumn use of oilseed rape herbicides containing metazachlor. As the pressure grows on water companies to tackle the issue of herbicides in drinking water, active substances like metazachlor are increasingly under the spotlight; along with others such as carbetamide, propyzamide and quinmerac. Dealing with diffuse pollution is a challenge said Dr Dinah Hillier, Catchment Control Manager at Thames Water. “If the water companies cannot show progress in reducing pesticide concentrations in raw water, there will be further restrictions on their use. Water companies need the help of the farming community. We really don’t want these restrictions to happen, because farmers need these products; but farmers must start Thinking Water.”
Tillage Autumn 2015
The presence of pesticides in raw water threatens the UK’s chances of meeting the objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the EU legislation drawn up to protect all surface and ground waters. DEFRA and the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has to date looked at voluntary measures to deliver WFD compliance. It considers the regulatory approach as a last resort, understanding growers’ needs and the agronomic challenges they face. But the reality is we are still getting pesticides in water, so we will need to deliver some more positive results if we are to limit further product restrictions being enforced. In response and as part of a wider European Metazachlor Stewardship Initiative, BASF and Adama have strengthened their autumn guidance for metazachlor use; their drive is focused on agronomic best practice and changing on-farm
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practices to maintain the long term availability of metazachlor. “Oilseed rape is an important break crop in the arable rotation. It is especially important on heavy land where spring crop establishment can be difficult. The crop provides an opportunity to manage problem grass-weeds as part of an integrated approach using herbicides with different modes of action to those generally applied in cereals, and provides a good agronomic entry point for wheat in the rotation,” says Dr Paul Fogg, Senior Crop Team Leader at Adama. Metazachlor can get into water via two main sources. The first is via farm yard sources during the handling, mixing and cleaning down processes. These sources can be significant but can be avoided by adopting good operator practice. The second route for metazachlor to enter the water source is via field sources, such as surface run-off or via field drainage. Avoiding pollution via field sources represent a far greater challenge but can be minimised by “Thinking Agronomically”. “We are reiterating the importance of following the advice issued by the Voluntary Initiative,” says Rob Gladwin, Head of Business Development and Sustainability, BASF. “Growers should aim to establish the crop early, ideally by the first week of September, and also to apply metazachlor early which is
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Tillage News particularly important on drained soils where the risk of movement increases the later you go and limit metazachlor applications to 750g of active substance per hectare.
The guidance for autumn applications of metazachlor are: Early establishment is key; Dose: • Maximum 750g metazachlor/ha; • Reducing the amount of active ingredient applied, reduces the risk of movement to water
Timing: • Where there are no field drains, there are no application timing restrictions; • Where fields are drained, including temporary drains, aim for 1st October, with a cut off of 15th October. Applications after the 1st October can be made as long as soil and seedbed conditions are good and drains are not flowing; • Drained fields in Drinking Water Safeguard Zones cut off 1st October, visit www.wiyby.co.uk to establish if you have fields in a higher risk area.
The BASF and Adama advice applies to all their products containing metazachlor. It is recommended that it is also applied to other manufacturers’ metazachlor herbicides, as it is the active ingredient that is detected not the products. The two companies are collaborating under the Metazchlor Matters branding for the first time, the brand is aimed at capturing agronomists and growers attention, to raise awareness and as a call to action this autumn.
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19th September deadline for Methiocarb final sales of methiocarb were 18th September 2014 there may still be stocks on farm. He advises all growers to check their chemical stores to ensure they have either used up all methiocarb slug control products or that they plan to do so before 19th September 2015. After then it will be illegal to hold any stocks.
P
eter Stacey, Bayer CropScience’s Molluscicide Product Manager believes that whilst
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Practical
Soils – repair and maintenance Tillage Autumn 2015
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Practical
Maintaining drainage systems – and installing new schemes or extensions – can make a significant contribution to the condition and workability of soils
The first part of this article, published in the Summer 2015 issue of Tillage, identified the symptoms and clues that point to soil structure issues and how best to locate and evaluate them. Here, the story moves on to the response – what to do about the deficiencies identified. Peter Hill reports. www.tillage.org.uk
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s there an under-utilised asset in your fields waiting to make a contribution to better soil structure, timeliness of field operations and improved crop health and performance? Best have a rummage in the farm office filing cabinets, then, for completion plans that show the layout of field drains installed umpteen years ago to discover where they are meant to emerge into ditches and water courses. For that is potentially one of the most rewarding actions suggested by Dick Godwin of
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the Harper Adams-based Soil & Water Management Centre for tackling soil structural deficiencies. “We need to study old drainage plans, walk ditches, clear blockages and make sure the drain outfalls are fully functioning,” he tells audiences at soil management workshops. “I can show you plenty of pictures of ditches that over time have filled in and of surface ponding in adjacent fields – but rather fewer of outfalls being inspected and cleared, or even of ditches being cleaned out.”
Tillage Autumn 2015
Practical
Dick Godwin of the Soil & Water Management Centre urges growers to check drainage scheme layouts and open up ditches to get them working again.
Drain outfalls only function if they are cleared out regularly.
Drainage is undervalued
Maintaining drainage systems – and installing new schemes or extensions – can make a significant contribution to the condition and workability of soils, Rob Burtonshaw is keen to encourage investment in drainage works – whether installing new systems or repairing or extending existing ones. As a director of Farm Services, a family-owned land drainage contracting business, that is to be expected. But his feeling that land
Tillage Autumn 2015
drainage is undervalued by British growers has strengthened since undertaking an overseas Nuffield Scholarship study of drainage use and techniques. “In North America, where the percentage of land already drained is almost comparable to that in the UK, demand for drainage is proving difficult for contractors to meet,” he points out. Installation cost appears to be the main barrier to new field drainage systems, even for growers who will happily spend
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large amounts on ever larger field machinery, yet there are compelling statistics on the payback potential, even though figures showing yield response to drainage are hard to come by. “It seems that’s because it is accepted that drainage is proven to increase yields and has a track record stretching back thousands of years,” says Rob. “But a four-year UK trial from the 1970s showed an improvement in yields of more than 20 per cent – worth a tonne per hectare over the non-drained yield of 4.5 tonne/ha – and another UK study showed a 19% reduction in winter wheat yield from waterlogging. “Overseas, data collected in Ontario, Canada over 20 years reveal a 38% increase in winter wheat yields,” he adds. “If forward momentum in farm production is to continue and yields are to increase again, established technologies – such as land drainage – as well as new breakthroughs should be utilised.”
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Practical Much of the grant-aided investment poured into field drainage through the 1970s and 1980s is now being wasted through poor maintenance or system break-down, he emphasises. Yet it’s a resource with potential to help growers cope more effectively with typical weather patterns, let alone more extreme weather events that disrupt cultivation and sowing schedules. Exploiting drainage systems is one of many actions that will help get soils into tip-top shape, along with establishment techniques that encourage natural restructuring, correct use of remedial treatments such as subsoiling and moling, and strategic use of cover crops. Effective drainage is fundamental to soil management because of its role in lowering the water table and quickly channelling excess water after heavy rainfall so that soils return more quickly to a workable state.
Two types of drainage problem
Sometimes the clues are obvious – surface ponding (right) in sandy soil on top of a hill in Bedfordshire adjoining a ditch no longer able to do its job….
Dick Godwin highlights two types of drainage problem – surface water control and ground-water table control. “Lowering water table depth through an effective drainage scheme increases soil strength and the ability of the land to support increasingly heavy machinery,” Prof Godwin points
out. “It results in less soil damage – compaction – and results in easier, more effective field operations. The increased number of available work days improves timeliness of field operations and crop establishment.” He treats declarations of saturated soils after an extended
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Practical period of rainfall with caution: “Unless they’re in high groundwater areas, these fields are probably not saturated but suffering from a nearimpermeable layer of soil close to the surface with water sitting above,” he says.
Nuffield Scholar brings learning back home
‘Lowering water table depth increases the ability of the land to support increasingly heavy machinery’ “Poor permeability in this situation is most likely to result from the natural soil structure being destroyed by excessive cultivation and trafficking, resulting in a ‘perched’ water table,” Prof Godwin adds. “This is explained by the fact that whilst old permanent pasture can absorb 10-30mm of rain in an hour – several times more than most UK peak rainfall intensities – compacted bare ground is less able to cope with intensities of 1-3mm/hr and run-off and/or surface ponding can occur. “One pass of a tractor wheel on cultivated soil can virtually destroy the soil’s ability to absorb water,” he emphasises. “A fine tilth can also hold up the infiltration of water in the fine pores rather than allowing it to enter the soil via the wider cracks in a coarser tilth.” At a national level, compaction is calculated to account for 40per cent of the £0.9 to £1.2 billion cost of soil degradation, according to a report by Cranfield University for Defra. Compacted soils with poor infiltration rates can result in soil erosion through water runoff as well as having an adverse impact on field work schedules and timeliness.
Tillage Autumn 2015
An increasing number of growers are convinced that persisting with zero-tillage crop establishment – using drills like the Cross Slot now employed at Sewell Farms in Kent – will allow soils to restructure and get into better shape through natural processes rather than mechanical intervention. Kent arable farmer Tom Sewell believes ‘water infiltration rate’ is a measure that deserves more attention, having seen its significance during his own Nuffield Scholarship study of notill crop establishment. It’s relatively easy to calculate by hammering a length of solidwalled drainage pipe a few inches into the ground with a foot or more remaining above, then pouring in water, measuring its depth and measuring again an hour later. “Heavy rainfall on soils with a poor infiltration rate can result in surface run-off taking soil, nutrients and pesticides,” Tom points out. “A well-structured soil
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with plenty of storage capacity thanks to the activity of plant roots and earthworms will absorb heavy rainfall more effectively.” He met growers in North Dakota whose land – no-tilled for more than 20 years – could absorb 8in of rainfall in an hour without any run-off, ponding or flooding and watched laboratory demonstrations of the effect of water falling on conventionally and no-tilled soils. “The no-till soil crumbles in your fingers yet surprisingly it doesn’t wash away with heavy rain because plant roots hold it together and worm holes allow water to pass quickly through,” he points out. Back home, Tom has switched wholesale to no-till crop establishment to minimise field traffic, allow soils to restructure naturally, and use cover crops to protect the soil from surface and sub-surface erosion while providing organic matter that helps keep the soil ‘open’.
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Practical
Soil Restucturing
Drawing mole drains – in this case using a TWB Twin Leg plough at 24in in wheat – to feed pipe drains covered with stone or another permeable fill material.
Growing roots through soil is the best way to restructure it, advises soil mechanics consultant Philip Wright. “Natural structure is provided by the biology in the soil – stable
aggregates, porosity and channels for future roots to exploit and excess water to drain through – creating a ‘sponge’ that also stores water and nutrients. “The key to good structure is
therefore to encourage nature – grow roots, assist biology by providing organic matter for micro-organisms to live in and feed on while contributing natural gums and binders that provide stability. “Closing up pores by compaction, cutting channels by excessive cultivation (and repeated cultivations at a common depth) and doing this when soils are weak and wet will only cause structure issues,” Philip warns. “Prevention is better than cure – although nature does sometimes need a helping hand!” It is often the case that mechanical remediation is needed only in parts of the field – on headlands, for example – rather than across whole fields, or at different depths, hence growing interest in compaction mapping so that subsoiling operations can be more selective.
Independent information at your fingertips Pick up a copy of the new
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Recommended Lists Fungicide performance Technical publications
In-season monitoring (pests and disease)
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Practical
ubsoiling can give nature a helping hand to remove root-inhibiting compacted layers.
being moved,” explains Philip. “It therefore needs to be moved upwards – not sideways or downwards – and in a controlled manner to avoid excessive ‘boil’ at the surface in order to maintain a level surface or horizons for weed control. “Also, soils excessively boiled lose their natural capacity for supporting future traffic,” he points out. “Lifting soil to produce tensile cracks or fissures while leaving supportive columns of harder material will allow drainage, provide access for roots, and allow nature back into these levels to do its job.” Patience is a valuable commodity when soils are too wet for restructuring treatments to be fully effective. Working shallower to reduce upwards compression can help, as can
“The mantra should always be to restructure only when and where necessary and only to the depth needed” Manufacturers have different tine configurations –Bednar’s has a reversible chisel point, a vertical fin breaks up soil ‘peeling’ up the leg and horizontal blades as shallow wings.
While it is clearly important to work deep enough to remove a compacted layer, working too deep is in some respects worse than going too shallow. “For one thing, work too deep and soft soil beneath a pan will cushion the lifting and shattering effect of a subsoiler,” Philip points out. “It also costs diesel and time; I’ve measured the effect of increasing working depth by just 5cm and found it can nearly double the draft load on tines and the fuel used to pull them –
Tillage Autumn 2015
Tillso’s design has a narrow tip to avoid excessive upwards heave whilst maintaining penetration; sharp leading edges to avoid pushing up clods and soil – as well as weed seeds
a double whammy of negative consequences when working deeper than necessary is also less effective.” Shattering soil is simple but it need a bit of thought to understand how it is done. Soil will shatter and fail by tensile means – creating cracks in other words – only when it is dry enough, and only when it is placed into tension. “Loosening tines with points, wings, shares, and so on need to impart tension to the soil
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working progressively deeper – although moving wet soil twice is usually a disaster, Philip warns. “Increasing lift height of the loosener can help if tensile cracks are formed as soil drops over the back of the wings,” he suggests. “The key here is to maintain low rake angles, which impart generally upwards forces as opposed to forwards forces that make compression more extreme but with sufficient lift to produce the tensile fissuring.” But it is better to accept that soils need to be dry enough to shatter effectively and when they are wet or damp growers should have the courage to delay – for another season.
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Cultivating Establishment Ideas Tillage-Live 2015 Wednesday 16th September 08:00 - 15:00
The National Cultivation Event - See all the latest machines from the leading manufacturers, discuss all the latest ideas with industry experts.
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Working demonstration area Knowledge Trail Static Exhibitors with working plots
An AEA Event
Croft Farms, Croft-on-Tees, Darlington, DL2 2PL by kind permission of Croft Farms
Tickets £10 per car on the gate. Save 25% by pre-booking
www.tillage-live.uk.com / 0845 4900 142
Case Study
Drainage key to coping with blackgrass A recent open day at Hutchinsons Brampton trials centre in Cambridgeshire, looked at different strategies for the effective control of black grass. Marion King reports.
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lackgrass is bringing farming to its knees. Since the 1980’s tougher varieties have spread like wildfire across the country and it’s becoming more and more resistant to herbicides. Being reliant on pesticides and intensive farming may have contributed to the problem but it’s becoming a real challenge and something needs to be done and fast. Wet headlands are often an issue in preventing delayed drilling on clay based soils and since the autumn of 2012 drainage has become a very real issue with older systems and their
Tillage Autumn 2015
Blackgrass thrives on heavy land where there is poor drainage and on light land it is a problem on wetter areas.
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Case Study
support structures in decline across the UK. Blackgrass thrives on heavy land where there is poor drainage and on light land it is a problem on wetter areas. High infestations of blackgrass, particularly in autumn sown crop rotations are having a cost impact on wheat yields. Drainage contractor and Nuffield Scholar Rob Burtonshaw was on hand: “Buried safely under a metre of soil, drainage can last for generations. I don’t want to give the impression that drains are indestructible, poor installation can be a problem and tree roots specially willows can cause havoc, but well designed and installed schemes age well. We regularly connect to pipes laid over a hundred years ago which are working as well as the day they were first commissioned.
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Drainage can last for generations These pipes, laid generations ago are still working 24 hours a day, every day, slowly moving water under the power of gravity and once installed need little or no maintenance,” said Rob. “Farm land has been drained for centuries because it works. Crops planted in poorly drained land grow more slowly and are often prone to disease. Flooding and run off are reduced on well drained land as the ground’s capacity to absorb water is increased. It event helps in summer droughts, as larger, healthy plants with deeper roots are better able to cope with the dry conditions. It allows farmers
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access to the ground when the crops require them to do so, not when conditions allow. Good drainage can also improve the
‘We regularly connect to pipes laid over a hundred years ago which are working as well as the day they were first commissioned efficiency of inputs such as fertilisers meaning that less can be used to achieve the same results and greater productivity,” he added.
Tillage Autumn 2015
Case Study
About 10 per cent of the field has failed to establish and the reason for that is very obvious. In January it was standing in water.
Rob describing the heavy clay soil where the trial pits were dug
Positioned at one of the demonstration stops on the tour Rob explained, “The field we are standing in shows patches of establishment all the way through. About 10 per cent of the field has failed to establish and the reason for that is very obvious. If you were standing here in January you would be standing in water and if you were walking across the field you have found it extremely wet. Of course knowing that it’s wet is
Tillage Autumn 2015
With this pit the water took just 4 minutes to percolate down
There was definitely a drainage scheme in the field at one time probably first installed in the 19th century.
one thing but knowing what to do about it and what’s causing it is the tricky bit and the bit we need to work on.” As part of the investigation into what is causing the excess water Hutchinsons have undertaken a simple infiltration test where 20 litres of water was poured into a hole to see how long it would take the water to soak into the ground. It took 24 minutes. “My first thought was, well the field has undergone compaction,
but it has been frequently drilled and tested. This hole was excavated about 7 weeks ago so its dry, you can’t really pick up the soil profile from the cracks etc and there is no obvious signs of compaction. It’s a heavy soil, its clay, it’s tight but in general you wouldn’t say there was a compaction problem here.” But a few straggly plants survived so another hole was dug where the plants were growing.
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Case Study
Good habits
The biggest bang for your buck when creating your drainage scheme is using the mole plough.
“With this second trial pit, exactly the same as the previous pit, the cultivation is the same and again 20 litres of water poured into the pit but it only took 4 minutes to percolate down. The soil type was exactly the same and the pit was dug on the same day. The only actual difference here is the plant roots, in fact I don’t think you could get a more obvious example of what roots can do. Getting the water down the soil profile, then the roots are doing a fantastic job. Not only are they picking up water but they are using it and taking water out of the land and allowing the water to follow the root system down,” said Rob. But Rob advised it was still a poorly drained field and the soil still wet. “The crop here is not half as good as it is far out into the field. My understanding of the site is there wasn’t a drainage problem a couple of years back but slowly it has deteriorated which is quite typical of drainage issues. Once the plants start to wane you lose your drainage system
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and ultimately the crop.” 2012 was a very wet year and water is being held in the ground far more than it was perhaps a couple of years ago. “Walking round the field I’m convinced the piece of clay I can see means there would have been a drainage system in this field at some point. The system would probably have been put in in the 19th century when you had this incredible surge of drainage using clay pipes. It would have been similar to the dot.com bubble in the 90’s. The other great era for drainage was just after the war. Inspired by government grants a great many drainage schemes were carried out this number drops like a stone in the early 80’s when the grants stopped. To a great extent drainage has been forgotten and a problem can be the cost. We are talking about £2-3000 a hectare to install a comprehensive scheme with gravel. And yield increase is significantly linked to drainage but there are things you can do that do not necessitate hiring a drainage contactor (see box).
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Farmers can help by simply checking drain flows, clearing blockages and making sure ditches are clear. “Ditches need to be dug and cleared regularly. Once you begin digging you will find drainage outlets but there are often problems with roots, especially willow. I have an example of a 35 foot willow root filling a drain. Literally we dug down and pulled it out by hand and it was the equivalent of lifting the plug from the bath. The water disappeared straight off the field.” “The next thing to do is dig out your old drainage plans. The great thing about these are no matter how old they are they tend to be accurate. I know for a fact that this field has been drained. If you dig down where it says outlet and you can’t find a drain then dig a bit deeper and you’ll probably find it and you can probably get the old scheme back and running again,” Rob advised. One problem often is out of site and out of mind with farms set up with approximately one man per 1,000 acres, the maintenance and repair of drains is often overlooked. If farmers and growers want to focus more on soil management then they have to go back to basics and drainage is key. It is not cheap but growing crops is also expensive and if farmers prioritise areas on the farm that suffer from poor infiltration, investment in improved drainage will result in higher yielding crops which will compete better with blackgrass.
Tillage Autumn 2015
Big Picture
Going for Many farmers have faced the dilemma – do they grow their business by taking on the land next door at a high price, or is that lower priced land some miles away a better option? Jonathan Wheeler finds out more.
Tillage Autumn 2015
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www.tillage.org.uk
Big Picture
growth J
udging whether it is wise to take on any given piece of land is tricky. There is no “Theory of Everything” that provides a single, clear answer. But there are some guidelines that can help the decision making process. Gary Markham of Churchgate Accountants – which has advised many farming companies on such issues – believes business structure is key: “If you can form a number of individual farming enterprises into a single unit – run with one RPA number – then you can block crop successfully and stay within the three crop rule. “That will enable you to farm commercially at much greater distance. We advise one business that does this and can justify travelling 35 miles to work. “If you cannot achieve those efficiencies, you might not be able to justify travelling any more than five miles”. Forming a Limited Liability Partnership that owns the machinery used in running the new business will help achieve clarity over operating costs, he says, while splitting the business into a machinery section and a cropping operation also helps: “Any individual farm’s machinery costs tend to be clouded by inclusion of vehicles that are not actually relevant or necessary for the farming operation. If only the tractors
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If you take on too much land it can place a real strain on your core business’ Gary Markham of Churchgate Accountants.
and machines used to run the arable farming operation are included in the costings you can achieve clarity over costs and the amount of horse-power involved, and can also benchmark your operating costs”. He suggests that – except in exceptional circumstances any extra land taken on should constitute less than half the land operated simply on the basis of economics: “If you take on too much land it can place a real strain on the core business. Economically it may not stand up either. We are actually talking to people who are looking to downscale to reduce that pressure. “But one thing those downsizing need to remember is that, if they sell any equipment bought using Capital Allowances, they may face a demand for return of a portion of that allowance”.
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Any thoughts of expansion need to be carefully thought through and budgeted: “Expanding at the moment – with a projected feed wheat price of £100 - £120 a tonne for the forseeable future – is very risky and in many cases will not work. “Don’t base any budget on unrealistic yields or crop prices. If the land can only be expected to grow 3.2 tonnes/acre of feed wheat then – at £120/tonne – your gross income is £384, from which you must deduct typical variable costs (£200/acre) and fuel (£30/acre) and whatever rent is due. “Any drop in crop price will eat into that margin and you might end up doing a lot more work for very little income. And as the distance from your home farm grows, those figures get worse”. The farmers best placed to expand are often those who currently ‘over-equipped: “They can more easily take on new land without having to buy bigger tractors or invest in new equipment. But take time to adjust your machinery fleet and work out your budgets carefully – this isn’t a process that should be done overnight”. So if you are still thinking about taking on new land, what do you do first? “Assess what you already have and figure out whether you think you can make the new enterprise pay or not. That actually starts with benchmarking your existing business so you know what your costs are and how well you are performing. “Some people get very excited about taking on new business opportunities and do it readily. Others may need to give it more thought and consult thoroughly before making their decisions”.
Tillage Autumn 2015
Big Picture
What the experts say: £10/t Travel costs Farmers taking on ‘satellite land’ should budget for £10/tonne higher production costs, says Richard King from Andersons. That figure is based on the extra work and costs incurred farming land at distance: “You might need to make between 70 and 120 visits during the season – divided between crop establishment, husbandry and harvest.
Planning and attention to detail trip and a cost of £35/hour for man and machines that is £4,200 in total – which works out at £84/ha or 10/tonne. “If you have to move everything to and from the land every time you work it that is a huge cost. Having storage on site is a huge benefit as it can reduce the travel time and expense”.
Key issues include working out how any new land will integrate with their existing business, and how they avoid over-stretching themselves. A sound business plan is the first step: “If you are taking on extra land make a plan and stick to it. There is a risk that the performance of that land could suffer if you do not pay the same attention to detail as you do to the home farm.
“Grain carting is the biggest single component. If the land yields 8.5t/ha that is 425 tonnes, or 28 trailer loads (15/t time).
“Remember that attention to detail becomes increasingly
“Assuming a one hour round
Tillage Autumn 2015
Anyone looking to take on extra land should fully assess the business opportunity, says Jonathan Armitage from Bidwells.
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Big Picture
Tillage magazine asked three professional advisors for their perspective on taking on extra land.
Productivity is prime issue difficult as the scale of operations and distances increase. New technologies can help, but only up to a point. “You need to assess whether you are geared up to take on the land, and whether you are genuinely spreading your costs and reducing your overheads. If you are not, then you might benefit more from improving the performance of your home farm. “But there will always be people who – for any number of reasons – are prepared to take a risk to achieve a goal. That is why they continue to bid extraordinary sums of money for extra bits of land”.
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The quality and productive potential of any given piece of land is key in determining whether taking it on is a good idea, and is top of the ‘check list’ suggested by Will Gemmill, from Strutt and Parker: “Assess the quality of the land and soil type, which will affect what you can grow on it, as well as the state of soil structure and drainage, and the field size – all of which have an impact on its productivity. You should also consider whether it has storage and the logistics of servicing it.
be re-tendering on the open market after three years – or whether this is going to become a long term relationship. “Landlords should accept that tenants can only really afford to make improvements to the land such as correcting soil indices and pH levels if it is the latter”.
“Another key consideration is whether this is a short term deal – one in which you might
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Case Study
D-REAM DEAL FOR JAMES Jonathan Wheeler examines how taking on a block of land several miles from home and the far side of a busy town has proved a logical and successful step for 28 year old James Ream.
His family’s 500 acre Portobello Farm, Sandy, Bedfordshire is run as a partnership between his father John and cousin Nigel, and there is plenty of work on hand managing a varied rotation including many crops grown for seed. Their soils range from heavy Bedfordshire clay through to lighter sandy loam types, some of which tend towards peat. Cropping includes winter wheat, rye and oilseeds, alongside spring barley, wheat, sugar beet and peas. Despite this workload, when he returned home from Writtle College, James says he felt the need to “justify his existence”.
Tillage Autumn 2015
So he struck a deal with a neighbour Robert Capon, Manor Farm, Broom, Bedfordshire to run his 720 acres of land – split between a 270 acre block adjoining their own farm and a 450 acre block four miles away on the other side of Biggleswade. The deal was formulated by Gary Markham and covers all key aspects of the operation.
Real trust between the partners While he recognises the importance of the written agreement, James says it only works if there is real trust between the two partners: “Robert managed the farm but
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his farm worker was retiring and he wanted to step back from day to day management, which opened up the opportunity for me. “After a year of working for him I took over and now manage his land and charge for my services and our machinery. To protect ourselves against variations in fuel prices, he supplies fuel when we work his land: our tractors arrive and leave the farm with a full tank of diesel. “Robert’s equipment was generally larger than ours, and we felt we could achieve at Portobello Farm by using it. So while he sold some machines, he kept some key cultivators and we pay him a charge when we use
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Case Study them on our land. “He is also a very good farmer who was using a rotation based around wheat and oilseed rape, with some spring cropping. We have continued that, although we are introducing more spring cropping on his land to help with Black-grass control and manage workloads. It’s a deal that works well”, says James. Robert is equally happy with the arrangements: “I am at a stage of life where I wanted to make my life easier and be far less ‘hands-on’. James is an excellent operator and the deal suits us both. It was important that we had it drawn up properly”.
Two combines have made way for one larger Lexion 660 with yield mapping.
Combined machinery savings Reducing two full ranges of machinery to a larger combined one has produced some significant cost savings for both sides – starting with combines:
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“We both sold our existing machines and bought a bigger one between us, which is owned pro-rata in relation to the land area (Capon 58%; Ream 42%)”, says James.
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“Our Claas Lexion 420 was due for replacement anyway, and Robert sold his Claas Tucano 440 so we could buy a Lexion 660 with yield monitoring. “That means we only have one
Tillage Autumn 2015
Case Study “This hasn’t been an issue yet, probably because we have a diverse cropping regime which means we don’t suddenly get hundreds of acres coming ready at the same time. “Robert has an on-floor drying system and we have a continuous flow drier, so we are both wellequipped if the weather turns wet. The compensation arrangement is written into the agreement, but we have never had to activate it”, James says.
Too many tractors? The family already has four tractors but the one which has worked the least hours this year will be sold.
annual bill for servicing and tax – which are split on the same proportion as other bills - and we both benefit from having a bigger, more efficient, modern machine”. The tricky issue of whose land
gets harvested first is covered in the agreement – if either side suffers bills like extra drying costs due to a delay in harvesting of their crops the other partner pays a portion of those costs:
While James admits his family currently has a bit more tractor power than it needs, that will be resolved later this year: “We already had a 185hp main tractor and others at 130hp, 120hp and 85hp, to which we added another 185hp tractor for this year. At the end of the season we will assess all
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Case Study their operating hours and sell whichever one has done the least work”. Some arrangements haven’t changed: the Ream family still runs its own sprayer; Robert still uses a local contractor; the Reams use their existing Vaderstad drill and Robert retains his Kverneland TS.
Black-grass focus Controlling Black-grass is a big focus for James - he admits to being “a bit of a nerd” on the issue – but his thorough approach is showing good results. Good machinery practice is central to his efforts: “We have got it under control over the past four years - by using fallows and spring cropping, allied to timely spraying and good machinery practice to ensure we don’t spread it ourselves. We do still have some problem fields, but over most of the farm we are
James admits to being ‘a bit of a nerd’ on the issue of controlling Black-grass.
getting on top of it. “Where needed we start cultivations by running a Vaderstad Carrier as a germinator. “Thereafter we do everything we can to stop seed return, including taking the time to clean
all implements moving between fields where it is present and those where it is not”. But his tactics are succeeding – to the extent that in some fields he employs hand-rogueing to finish the job.
THE SIMBA CULTIPRESS Makes light work of heavy ground • Ideal for effective cultivation of heavier soils • Shatters clods, levels and consolidates in one pass • Choice of leading Pro-Active sprung tines or shearbolt protected rigid units • Cranked Tine option for shallower working • Patented hydraulically adjustable levelling board intermeshes with two rows of stepped 600mm DD rings • Rigid levelling board available • Leaves a firm, weatherproof seedbed • Working widths from 3.3m to 10m • Designed for tractors in the 115-480hp range
Tel: 01529 304654 www.greatplainsmfg.co.uk
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Insight
Track tech covers new ground Rubber track developments are moving on apace, with new ways of repairing, renewing and retrofitting. Martin Rickatson finds out from one of the sector’s major suppliers and its importer what’s changing in track technology.
Track technology has moved on apace in the 28 years since the first rubber belt tractors were launched.
A
lmost thirty years on from their introduction, rubber tracks have become a firm feature of UK crop establishment, with a significant proportion of the country’s 250500hp tractors now putting their power to the ground this way. And similar traction, compaction and transport benefits are behind an increasing proportion of combines being specified with front track units. But just as there are downsides to working with wheeled machines, track systems of course have their minuses – the additional investment cost, extra
Tillage Autumn 2015
maintenance, road wear on tracks and idlers. While tyre makers are fighting back against tracks with developments such as long footprint profiles, though, manufacturers in the track sector are also advancing their products. While the makers of high-hp tracked tractors are well known, the suppliers of many of the components that go to make up their track units have a lower profile. The contribution they make to track development, though, is considerable, given that most of the tractor makers contract out the
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complexities of track and undercarriage manufacturing to those external suppliers. Among them, Canadian firm Camoplast Solideal is arguably the major player, primarily due to the fact that, while Caterpillar sold to AGCO the design and marketing rights to its Challenger rubber-tracked tractors back in 2001, it retained the rights to the design and development of the Mobil-Trac tracks and running gear, including the idler wheels, midrollers and drive wheels for the friction-driven rubber-belted undercarriage system. The following year, though, it sold
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Insight the Mobil-Trac concept to Camoplast, since when the firm has continued to construct the undercarriage and tracks for Challenger tracklayers and supply them to AGCO. Under the agreement, Camoplast acquired Caterpillar's then virtually new rubber track component manufacturing facility in Emporia, Kansas, as well as most of the assets that went with it and its products, including inventory, product designs and specifications, equipment and software. Since then, Camoplast has developed its business
Much development work has gone into track reinforcement to handle higher torque loadings, says James Hunt.
beyond the supply of Mobil-Trac units and replacement components to AGCO, to supply the belts and some other components used by John Deere in the manufacture of its 8 and 9 series high-hp crawlers. Meanwhile, it also supplies aftermarket tracks and components for the Versatile Delta-Track, Case IH Quadtrac models and older Caterpillar and Claas Challengers. Founded in 1982, Camoplast’s primary line of business is designing and manufacturing moulded components for original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket
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suppliers in both on- and offroad vehicle markets, with the Solideal element of its name resulting from its acquisition of a yard forklift tyre manufacturer. Formerly a unit of Canadian firm Bombardier – known as a manufacturer of trains, planes and ATVs, among other things – Camoplast Solideal is now an independent business headquartered in Sherbrooke, Quebec, operating 11 facilities in the United States, Canada and Europe, and employing 1,200 people. “Alongside injection moulding and composite technology,
Developments such as suspension, simpler maintenance and higher road speed capabilities have broadened tracked tractors’ appeal.
Camoplast had been involved in rubber track technology for a long time before the acquisition of Caterpillar’s agricultural track business,” says James Hunt, of Eurotrack, the European aftermarket distributor for Camoplast. “Rubber tracks for snowmobiles and ATVs obviously have only certain characteristics in common with agricultural tracks in terms of their application, but there is shared technology in manufacturing, and the move into the agricultural business was a natural one.” A narrow field footprint
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compared to that which would be required for a similar ground contact patch from a tyred tractor is one of the obvious attributes of a track system, keeping trafficking to a minimum, and having knock-on benefits in terms of narrow road transport. And while recent developments in long-footprint tyres are challenging this, they cannot by their nature provide the total length of load-spreading contact that a track can. “Ease of road travel combined with the high tractive ability of tracks were the key advantages
Camoplast claims to have been behind puncture-resistant inner carcase development for rubber tracks.
of rubber tracks when introduced, but since then, developments such as suspension, simpler maintenance and higher road speed capabilities have added to this, while other aftermarket additions have also improved matters,” says Mr Hunt.
Tread patterns As well as the development of four standards of track to suit different applications and budgets, including recentlyintroduced premium heavy-duty tracks, the firm has also designed various treadbar
Tillage Autumn 2015
Insight profiles to suit different soil types and terrain, creating a range of 140 different possible permutations. “Different patterns can accommodate different needs according to whether the intention is to maximise traction or load-bearing capability or minimise ground disturbance, but UK conditions generally call for standard heavy-duty chevron-pattern treadbars, though,” says Mr Hunt. “What has changed significantly is the way in which they are made part of the track. Camoplast tracks are the only ones in the market manufactured using an endless single cure technology, known as Exacure. This provides even ply and cable placement, which improves performance and durability. Consistent cable
position minimises internal stress, while specific rubber positioning ensures targeted areas are protected. The result is that there is no carcase distortion, while treadbar and lug geometry are optimised. “Track makers are continually improving product specifications in just the same way as tyre manufacturers, and considerable investment in other areas of technology has been put into helping enhance track and running gear life and improve their performance,” suggests Mr Hunt. “A lot of development work has gone into track reinforcement to handle higher torque loadings. One of the most recent introductions is the Durabuilt 6500 Series tracks for friction drive tractors such as the Challenger and John Deere
Track retreads? Another alternative to consider is the EnduraTrax from Sly Europe. Two carcass options are available, standard or a new Enduraguard carcass with a
Tillage Autumn 2015
40% increase in cut and tear resistance. Enduratrax are cured as a single piece which is reckoned to give a stronger overall
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machines. Camoplast was the first firm to offer punctureresistant inner carcases on rubber tracks, and these form part of this specification.” With the UK track replacement/renewal market centred on extreme ag treadtype belts with the thickest available carcases to resist high torque loads and stone damage, the new tracks are expected to take a prominent place in the replacement market. They use a new Trackshield design which incorporates a tougher track carcass construction and puncture resistant rubber material on the inner surface, which consequently provides greater resistance to punctures and the damage to the inner steel cables this can cause. With the Trackshield design, guide block system. The main differentiation is the tread design which was carefully developed to give optimum ride comfort, penetration and cleanout. Sly looked at many tread designs in the marketplace and decided to opt for a curved pattern used in the tyre industry which gives far better traction in wetter conditions due to better cleanout. Sly’s new Enduraguard carcass was developed to offer a re-tread service to reduce overall running costs and increase sustainability. Sly have partnered with a world leading German OTR tire retreader to offer this service throughout Europe. Tracks will be considered at 60% tread wear and they can re-tread any brand of track with their own tread design. Savings are generally around 40-50% on new and they allow the end user to operate on +50% tread for far longer for the same overall cost.
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Insight track strength is increased by 45% over that of the Durabuilt 5500. Improved protection of the main cables from being exposed over time to damage, dirt, moisture and corrosion helps increase overall track life and reduce cost per hour. “Alongside that, there have been improvements in reducing the wear that heat can cause. For example, mid-roller coatings now have specially-applied polyurethane compounds in them which are much better at dissipating heat, improving durability and maximising working life. To back that up, there is a life-time bonding warranty on selected models.”
Track conversions But it would appear that it’s not just OEM replacement parts that are driving the track aftermarket. There is growing interest in putting conventional tractors, combines and even implements onto tracks, as concern over soil damage reduction without wide tyre issues continues to grow. “Tractor track conversion systems are something that has been added to our portfolio through Camoplast Solideal’s recent acquisition of Tidue,” explains James Hunt. “Quality of design and build is particularly critical with retrofit track systems for conventional tractors, and Camoplast has upgraded several areas since
acquiring the Tidue system – which was already using Camoplast tracks – to make it particularly strong. “Tidue itself is a relatively young firm, founded in 2004, and it has specialised in the design and production of rubber track systems for agriculture, construction and forestry equipment, including axles and half axles for agricultural application. In the UK, Tidue is probably best known as the supplier of track units for the front axles of New Holland combines. “That’s a market we will continue to supply, as more farmers become convinced of the benefits of tracks on combines as a means of maximising ground contact area while keeping within the ideal road transport width, and benefiting from reduced compaction and better ride in the field, especially with wide headers.”
Trailed tracks But the firm is also looking at other opportunities. In addition to the aftermarket supply and fitment of removable tracks for the rear – and, where required, front – axles of conventional high-hp tractors, UK interest is growing in the application of track units to support heavy, high-output trailed arable equipment, says Mr Hunt. “It’s a concept that has a considerable following in North America, and larger farms here are beginning to look at track systems for trailed equipment such as wide drills and large chaser bins and trailers such as lorry bulkers. The large amounts of steel in these wide machines and the big volumes of seed/grain they carry mean tread bar design and carcase thickness are important qualities on tracks designed for this
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Tillage Autumn 2015
Insight purpose, while the tracks have reinforced insides to handle sidehill pressures. The lug design is particularly low profile, to ensure minimal disturbance when turning, while the running gear features stabiliser bars on the centre ‘axle’ to minimise stresses when turning. “But the biggest hurdle we
have yet to overcome to make such track arrangements suitable for UK use is developing the compatible braking systems that would be required for them. There is considerable interest, though, and that’s likely to mean that the development of such systems will be justified.”
Advice on maintenance and buying secondhand For farmers looking to maintain their existing tracklayers without the luxury of a maintenance contract, or those seeking out a crawler from the secondhand market, James Hunt has a few words of advice. “Secondhand crawlers from any of the main makers can be a cheap way to add more power and traction to a farm’s fleet, and a well looked after machine should serve a farm for many years. But aside from the engine and transmission it’s worth
Check that idler wheels are in good condition before buying a secondhand machine, or beginning a season’s work.
going over the track units before buying and regularly once owned to see what will help maintain efficiency and keep down costs. “If track refurbishment is necessary, go for good quality elements. Apart from the tracks, it’s the midwheels that may well need replacing on a high-hour
Tillage Autumn 2015
crawler, and that holds particularly true with these. A lifetime bond warranty is available on the best units. “The midwheels are especially critical on Case IH Quadtrac and Versatile Delta-Track machines because of the way the triangular design of the track carriage bears its load. Premium quality replacement undercarriage wheels feature the latest materials and compounds for improved performance over the
Good quality midwheels are a sound replacement investment, as are oil sight glasses.
original OEM fitment and recoated offerings. “It can be worth considering fitting them and the idler wheels with clear view lubrication caps like those made by Kile, to make simpler and easier the task of checking the correct oil levels are maintained, and reduce the risk of
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Camoplast is working on track designs for trailed implements, but braking is a hurdle to overcome.
premature failures related to bearing, hub and shaft damage.” On John Deere and Challenger crawlers, it’s important to ensure the friction rubber on the drive wheel has at least 8-10mm tread, says Mr Hunt. Rear drive sprocket replacement is likely to be required at 6-7,000hrs. “On a Quadtrac, where drive bars on the steel drive wheels engage with rubber teeth on the inside of the tracks, it’s a matter of ensuring all are in good condition, and that there remains good engagement of the teeth with the wheel. “Lug cracking can be an issue with Quadtrac tracks, and if
On new machines like this, friction drive will deliver all the engine’s power, but check this area for condition on older crawlers.
replacements look likely to be needed, it can be well worth considering a heavy-duty option, which has proven to reduce incidences of this issue. “Check also that the front idler is in good condition, as it has a similar life, and can crack due to prolonged vibration.”
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Tech Update
DIY trenching without a hefty price tag
L
incolnshire company Shelton has launched a tractor mounted, laser accurate chain trencher that doesn’t cost the earth. Called the Shelton CT150 Agricultural Chain Trencher the company claim it has the same laser grading accuracy of a
self-propelled trencher. The machine has a maximum digging depth of 1.5 metres (5 foot) and requires a 150hp 200hp tractor with vario transmission or a creep speed gearbox for speeds down to 0.3Km per hour. The machine is easy to operate and uses laser grading to evenly install land drainage pipes on agricultural land to give longevity and efficiency to a drainage system. Optional extras such as GPS, a laser control system for greater accuracy of grading and extra pipe layers for larger diameter pipes are also available.
New Saxon drill ideal for working into cover crops
T
he new Saxon drill from Great Plains has been launched. Initially available in 3-metre and 4-metre widths, the Saxon mirrors the looks of Great Plains’ recently launched Centurion 300 and Centurion 400 cultivator drills and shares many of the Centurion’s features around its seed delivery, seed placement and consolidation functions. However, the Saxon differs from its sister drills in one key area. Instead of incorporating angled
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notched cultivation discs within its base specification, the Saxon is equipped with the Great Plains Turbo Coulter, which is designed to meet the need for minimal disturbance and, if required, for cutting through and drilling into high volumes of residue. This, says Great Plains, makes the drill ideal for use in cover crop rotations where the crop has been sprayed off and minimal soil disturbance is necessary to help prevent the emergence of yet-togerminate grass weed seeds.
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Consolidation key with new profile roller
W
ith the DUW 580 Double-U profile roller, Amazone has extended its programme yet further with another following roller for the Certos TX heavy compact disc harrow and for the Cenius TX mulch cultivator. The 580 mm diameter U profile rings are open and become filled with soil during operation. Because of this adhering soil in the U profiles, good soil contact ensures excellent consolidation. Also wear in the material of the U profile rings is kept to a minimum. Especially on light to medium, heavy soils, the soil flows well through the rollers giving an improved levelling effect. Despite its modular design, the Double-U profile roller features a large contact surface area and a good carrying ability due to the interlocking of the staggered profile ring arrangement between the front and rear roller. This ensures a good reconsolidation of the soil. Simultaneously, the staggered arrangement of the rings results in effective self-cleaning in the gaps between the rings. As an option for the Double-U profile roller, Amazone offers a following harrow which provides the possibility for an additional final levelling of the soil.
Tillage Autumn 2015
Tech Update
Preview
Flexible drill proven in the field
P
Ăśttinger launched the new generation of pneumatic seed drills in 2013. The award-winning AEROSEM features unique technology for the highest possible flexibility. Extremely satisfied customers confirm its advantages following multiple jobs with different crops (maize, cereals, oilseed rape, etc.) and the perfect growth achieved. With the AEROSEM pneumatic seed drill, the Austrian machinery manufacturer has integrated
precision seed drilling technology into a standard pneumatic seed drill. This flexible machine can handle all seed sizes from oilseed rape up to maize. The unique, completely new distribution system meets all users' demands. The AEROSEM 1002 series is available in working widths of 3, 3.5 and 4 metres. The seed drill is mounted over the rear roller of the soil preparation implement, such as a FOX compact combination or LION power harrow. The centre of gravity of the compact machine is located close to the tractor. The metering system enables seed material to be output at between 1.5 kg and 340 kg at driving speeds of up to 12 kph.
In the next edition we look at variable rate drilling and its influence on cultural weed control.
Tillage is published three times a year and is available on subscription for a cost of ÂŁ10/year.
First certified ISOBUS plough
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EMKEN, the plough specialist, is the only manufacturer worldwide to offer ISOBUS plough control tested according to the guidelines of the AEF (Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation). AEF certification gives operators certainty that they will be able to control their ploughs safely, easily and reliably via a LEMKEN terminal or alternatively via an ISOBUS-compatible terminal on the tractor.
The LEMKEN Juwel mounted reversible plough features an electrohydraulic turnover device and hydraulic tilt adjustment. The TurnControl Pro ISOBUS plough control system allows the tilt, working width and working depth, among others, to be comfortably controlled from the terminal without any need for additional control devices. The system now also features GPS-controlled working width adjustment.
Contact: FarmSmart Publishing Ltd 13 Kings Yard, Sedbergh, Cumbria LA10 5BJ Tel: 0845 6522 326 Fax: 0845 6522 327 www.tillage.org.uk Editor: Andy Newbold andy@farm-smart.co.uk Publisher: Andy Newbold andy@farm-smart.co.uk Design: Steve Parkman steve@42creative.co.uk Advertising sales: admin@farm-smart.co.uk News: Marion King press@farm-smart.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, this includes photocopying or on any information storage or retrieval system without the prior consent of the publisher. We accept no responsibility for unsolicited features or photographs, which will not be returned. By submitting copy, text or pictures to the magazine you are agreeing to their publication either in full or edited.
Tillage Autumn 2015
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