Author name: Direct Driller

DRILL MANUFACTURERS IN FOCUS…

WHEN A SEEDHAWK JUST ISN’T ENOUGH With variable soils and a range of crops on 2400ha at Down Ampney Estate near Cirencester, Glos, Farmcare Ltd’s manager James Taylor relies on versatile drills from Vaderstad which can perform in demanding conditions. “We’ve got everything from sandy clay loams over gravel to chalk downland and clay with …

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Drill Manufacturers In Focus…

MORE MECHANICAL WEED CONTROL OPTIONS FROM OPICO OPICO has widened its mechanical weed control line-up to include a new range of inter- and intra-row hoes. Joining Hatzenbichler comb harrows and hoes, German-built KULT machines add to the Bourne-based company’s offering with specialist cultivators designed for high-value vegetable and salad crops. In addition, the firm’s steerable …

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GRAZING CROPPED LAND

The almost forgotten technique in the UK of grazing cereals is something being widely practiced across Australia in areas with widely varying rainfall levels. The Australian Grain Research and Development Council have produced a report titled Grain and Graze which sets out to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of grazing a range of cash crops. …

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IS THE FUTURE BIOLOGICAL FERTILIZERS AND SOIL INOCULANTS?

While usage of biological fertilisers and soil inoculants in other parts of the world is growing rapidly, it is possibly not something you have even heard a lot about in the UK. Over the last 15 years, research and development of bacterial soil inoculation, combined with the invention of state-of-the-art microbiological and biotechnological methods have …

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BENCHMARKING COSTS IN RURAL BUSINESSES

Land Family Business were invited by Groundswell and Procam to benchmark a group of farmers who have been practicing no-till crop establishment for several years as part of conservation agriculture. Using our own client benchmarking process, it gives the opportunity to assess the financial performance of no-till conservation agriculture – against other no tillers and …

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STEPWISE MOVE TO NO-TILL DRILLING HAS PROVED A SENSIBLE APPROACH

A stressful time trying to establish autumn crops is what originally prompted Northamptonshire estate manager, Andrew Mahon, to move away from traditional cultivations. But it’s been a journey that’s paid off. As manager of the 1,000 ha Bromborough Estate at Glebe Farm, Podington near Wellingborough – with 840 ha of owned land plus 165 ha …

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TO TILL, OR NOT TO TILL, THAT IS THE QUESTION. FINLAND HAS THE ANSWER

Written by Harry Henderson of the AHDB, August 2018 Take a look at the European Conservation Agriculture Federation website and you’ll see Finland has the highest percentage of arable cropping in a no-till system in Europe – 13 per cent (the UK stands at 8 per cent). While you can understand dry-land countries, such as …

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SOIL ASSESSMENT METHODS

AHDB Soil Health Farmers and growers are concerned about the current health of their soils. Most farmers and growers understand the importance of soil health for the productivity, sustainability and profitability of their business, but many face significant challenges when interpreting results from the laboratory analysis or when choosing suitable methods for assessing the health …

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