Farmers using Claydon Opti-Till tell us they are saving tens of thousands of pounds every year on establishing their crops. But it’s the environment that also benefits.
Reducing insecticides
“After a year or two we started to notice important benefits and those have continued to become both more apparent and more significant. The 2019 season, for example, was the first in which we did not have to use any insecticides on wheat or spring barley as there were so many beneficial insects which took care of any pests.” A Axelsson, Sweden
Reducing fungicides
“Air infiltration is much better between the seeded rows and within the crop. This means we have been able to lower our dose of first fungicides by 50%. The farm also uses less phosphate – 30 vs 50u. With the Claydon system we are also able to inter-row hoe.”
M.KublerFrance
Reducing soil erosion
“It’s also about the benefits to the farm and the wider environment of protecting soils from erosion. We have some light, drought-prone land towards the coast that, under conventional tillage is prone to soil being washed away in heavy rain. With the uncultivated strips it leaves between the drilling rows, the Claydon system helps minimise this problem, while also retaining moisture in dry conditions.”
J.LeeEngland
Reducing soil blow
“It does an excellent job of retaining moisture and because much of the land is left uncultivated the stubble and root structures are retained, this helps to prevent soil blows which are common in Norfolk where light soils are over-worked.”
D.CooperEngland
Reducing chemicals
“The Claydon Straw Harrow is a key part of the system in managing stubbles between harvest and establishing the next crop. It spreads any residues remaining from the previous crop, creates a fine tilth which encourages weeds and volunteers to grow and helps to control weeds and slugs mechanically rather than with chemicals.”
J.BraibantBelgium
Improved water infiltration
“One other benefit which I am pleased to see is that our worm population has increased significantly because of the reduced soil disturbance with direct seeding. The channels which they create really help to move water from the surface and distribute it throughout the soil profile, which eliminates surface ponding.”
For more information about how Claydon drilling can help you establish your crops in a challenging climate, whilst maintaining yields and reducing costs, pls visit claydondrill.com or contact your nearest Claydon dealer.
