WELCOME 2021! - POST-HARVEST HYDRATION FOR YOUR SALADS SEE PAGE 7 SLASH YOUR PHOSPHATE BILLS SEE PAGE 8 - Inta-Ag
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
WELCOME 2021!
POST-HARVEST
HYDRATION FOR
YOUR SALADS
SEE PAGE 7
SLASH YOUR
PHOSPHATE BILLS
SEE PAGE 8
WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ JANUARY 2021
ARTICLE
THREE NEW PLANTERS
POTATO REVIEW UK JULY/AUGUST 2020
AVR has introduced three new planters:
The Ceres 200M, Ceres 200H, and
Ceres 440.
The highlight of the Ceres 440 is
its A VR Connect system, which unites
all planting information and remote
parameters in one digital platform.
The AVR Ceres 440 is based on the
Ceres 400. It’s a four-row mounted
planter that is both available as a
hydraulic and mechanical version. hydraulic motor, which means. The
The machine is controlled via agitator intensity can optionally be
ISOBUS, which means the operating changed automatically depending on
screen of the GPS system or tractor the inclination. The Ceres 200M is a mechanically
can be used to control the planter (VT Several versions of the Ceres 440 driven, two-row mounted planter.
functionality). If required, a screen can are available: a 1.5 tons fixed bunker Available options are lighting, Lwo
optionally be supplied by AVR. or a 1.9 tons tipping bunker ( 4x75), types offixed bunkers (750 kg and
Other functions are section control with an optional ridging hood and/or 1,300 kg), electrical agitators in the
(TCSC) and variable planting or anti-erosion kit. AVR can also supply cup belt, a ridging hood and a fertiliser
fertilising using task cards (TC-GEO). a powdering unit, granular applicator unit.
Once all data has been uploaded to and spray system. The Ceres 200H is a two-row planter
the GPS system, the AVR Ceres takes The digital platform AVR Connect equipped with nearly all features its
care of the desired dosing quantities (previously known from the AVR Puma larger siblings have to offer. If you are
provided by the GPS system. 4.0 harvester) is also available on the restricted
In case of a hydraulically driven Ceres 440 planter. to two-row planting after destoning,
machine, each row is equipped with a all functionalities of the four-row
separate machines can be reduced to a two-row
width. Like the M version, the Ceres
200H is two-row mounted planter,
but in this case, the machine is driven
fully hydraulically and comes with a
comprehensive technology package
and a larger bunker.
This machine is designed for
planting in preconstructed beds, i.e.
mainly for situations where the soil is
“des toned”
EFFICIENT RESTRUCTURING OF COMPACTED SOILS
POTATO REVIEW UK JULY/AUGUST 2020 Spaldings managing director In addition to being standard
Steve Constable said: “Distributing equipment on Tillso’s Advantage
Spaldings will be the exclusive
Tillso’s Sabre retro-fit system will be subsoiler, the Sabre system can
distributor in the UK and Ireland of
complementary to our highly-durable be retro-fitted to a large number
the patented Sabre tine assembly, a
SPL Ultra cultivator, subsoiler and of other manufacturers’ subsoilers
multi-component system designed for
seed drill coulter points, and the other and cultivators equipped with
efficient restructuring of compacted
ranges of soil-engaging parts we soil-loosening tines.
soils using subsoilers or cultivators
supply for tillage and drilling’.’
incorporating soil loosening tines, The patented Sabre design consists
which is manufactured by specialist of a common point and shin used
cultivations equipment manufacturer with a choice of four soil-lifting wing
Tillso. assemblies. This enables growers to
equip their heavy tine implements with
the most appropriate configuration for
restructuring of compacted zones in
different soil types at different depths.
The Sabre system will loosen
subsoils across the entire working
width with minimal disturbance at the
surface, according to the manufacturer.
02 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE 03 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE
EU GROWERS VOICE CONCERN
OVER COVID COSTS AND
PESTICIDE TARGETS
THE VEGETABLE FARMER UK • NOVEMBER 2020
The impact of Covid-19 coupled with targets introduced said the Farm to Fork target of a 50% reduction in the use
in the EU’s new Farm to Fork food strategy is threatening of plant protection products by 2030 ‘really worries us’ and
the viability of European fruit and vegetable. production, is asking the Europear;i Commission to set ‘more realistic
according to the farmers organisation CopaCogeca. obligations’.
It says that while prices for some produce have
The prospect of no trade deal being agreed with,the UK
increased during the pandemic, growers have not benefited
is also causing concern.
because of the concomitant increase in production costs.
A shortage of seasonal labour and irrigation restrictions in Mr Vanoirbeek said: “We will. be in the front line if
some regions have also contributed to their difficulties. the negotiations break down which is why the European
Luc Vanoirbeek, chairman of the organisation’s working Commission needs to plan crisis management measures, as
party on fruit and vegetables, we fear cumulative effects in the EU.”
POTATO PLANTING DROPS TO
THIRD LOWEST ON RECORD
THE VEGETABLE FARMER UK • NOVEMBER 2020
The total area of potatoes planted in Britain is the third potatoes sold at supermarkets in the 12 months to 9
lowest on record at 117.47Kha, according to a revised .August is up 8.4 per cent against the same period last year
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) according to Kantar.
estimate. Alice Bailey, Senior Analyst for Potatoes at AHDB said:
The driving force behind the reduction has been a “This estimate is based on receiving 90 per cent of growers’
scalingback of potatoes planted for the processing market, planting returns. Our earlier estimates showed a smaller
which after four consecutive years of growth has now decline in planted area and it was thought that the timing of
dropped below the planted area of 2016. the pandemic, arriving as planting was kicking-off in earnest
in March, had not allowed growers enough time to adjust
An estimated 34.8Kha was planted with the intention of
their plans.
reaching processing markets, representing a drop of 7 .1
“Since the estimate based on 80 per cent of growers,
per cent (2.7Kha) year-on-year, or 3.6 per cent versus the
some larger growers have submitted their planted areas
five-year average. Processors have been hit badly by the
showing they have dropped their area more significantly
coronavirus outbreak, as lockdown saw wholesale closures than many of the earlier submissions. This has caused a
of restaurants, fast food outlets, schools, and other venues. larger drop than usual and highlights that, with 10% of
The largest area was made up of potatoes planted to submissions still outstanding, we could see some further
be prepacked for supermarkets, at an estimated 44.32Kha. changes to these estimates.”
This is a rise of 698ha, + 1.6 per cent, compared to 2019. Further updates to estimates, and information on the
This comes amid strong retail performance for fresh varieties planted and total volume of potatoes on the
potatoes in supermarkets at the time of planting. The markets will be posted on: https://ahdb.org.uk/potato- ma
volume of rket-insig ht
04 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE
WHY A HEALTHY
CANOPY IS ESSENTIAL
FOR TOP QUALITY POTATOES
POTATO REVIEW UK JULY/AUGUST 2020
SUCCESSFUL PLANTING IS RECORDED, DESPITE A
TROUBLED SEASON.
Brexit-induced concerns over imports/exports and Processors have struggled to balance the overnight fall o
phytosanitary agreements seem like a distant memory. Yet in demand resulting in factory over capacity and productions
worries about labour continue to dominate, albeit for a very lines being moth balled or worse factories closed. Plans
dierent reason - covid-19. for crop 2020 were made well in advance of COVID-19 so
Drastically distorting consumption and putting the shutdown of the economy has prompted revisions to
unprecedent demand on supply chains, the pandemic production plans and the cancellation of seed orders. “At
has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of critical the same time, some customer / growers have come on late
infrastructure, pushing issues such as food-security up the looking for seed resulting in a busy end to planting season
agenda of consumers and political leaders alike. with some orders being delivered directly to the eld,” said
Growers, meanwhile, went from one of the wettest Archie.
winters on record, to one of the warmest and sunniest Aprils. Last minute ordering coincided with the lockdown. Sales
Previously sodden elds dried, creating near-perfect planting Manager at Agrico, Alex Moore, explained how it aected
conditions and restoring cautious hope for the season business: “Everyone has done very well to get the seed
ahead. potatoes out to farms – we’ve sold nearly every tonne.
“On the whole, it’s likely to be a late season with reduced From the skeleton team in the oce, running the job while
acreage,” says Archie Gibson, Executive Director of Agrico, social distancing, to the hauliers who were under immense
one of the UK’s largest seed potato suppliers. “While the pressure when there was a run on the supermarkets.
crisping and pre-pack sectors have beneted from lockdown, “And it’s not just Agrico that stepped up. The whole supply
bagging and chipping markets have both suered with the chain has maintained production in some very challenging
closures of shops and Quick Service Restaurants (QSR). e conditions. On farms, tractor drivers are sticking to just
biggest loss of acreage is likely to come from the processing one vehicle, grading stations have had screens added to
sector, as shrinking demand hit growers hard after they had ensure workers are protected and many more hand-washing
taken delivery of seed for crop 2020. stations have been installed.”
05 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
store, where normally I’d have closer to 3,000 Sales Manager at Agrico, Alex Moore, said the industry had done
tonnes. Yes, we left approximately 400 tonnes very well to get seed potatoes out to farms.
ARTICLE in the ground last year but selling a significant
proportion in the autumn lowered our storage
volumes. Selling was a good decision.”
BAGGING SECTOR With the majority of his crop destined for the
chip shop market he graded only 100 tonnes in
Needing to pre-chit potatoes, the bagging
April. Yet despite sector
the fall in demand, Jamescouldn’t
has
delay planting decisions. recently
“Despite George
planted 330 acresEustice
as planned.reassuring
“I’m certainly concerned. Even when
chip shops they could remain open, many shut their doors.
restrictions are lifted, it’ll be two to three
Demand has dropped as monthsa result and
before oversupply
the market improves. has driven
This year
down prices,” said Archie.I think everyone was committed to growing
the potatoes, going forward if the markets
It’s a U-turn on 2019 when wetwe
aren’t there, weather hindered
will grow less. ” harvest,
preventing many from lifting their full acreage. With a
James’s crop is off to a good – though
expensive – start. With the majority ploughed
signicant proportion of the crop in the ground, prices rose.
in autumn, the wet weather has increased
James Woodroe, a ware grower
establishment near
costs. Peterborough,
“It’s taken a lot of work is
relieved he sold nearly atoquarter of for
get fields ready his crop” hefrom
planting, the eld.
says. “We’ve
had to do five passes on some fields that
“Prices have plummeted; usually
fromtake nearly £300/tonne
one. But all our potatoesto are £120/
now
tonne,” he said. “I’ve 1200 tonnes of potato in store,it iswhere
in and most are emerging, though where
drier they are struggling.”
normally I’d have closer to 3,000 tonnes. Yes, we left
approximately 400 tonnes Seedin the ground last year but selling
production
a signicant proportion in the autumn
It’s a concern lowered
shared ourPatrick
by seed grower storage
Sleigh in Aberdeenshire. “We’re actually
volumes. Selling was a good decision.”
needing rain now,” he said. “Though we had
With the majority of his crop
rain all winterdestined
– November,for the chip
December and a shop
fair bit of January – when spring came, it dried
market he graded only 100 tonnes in April. Yet despite the
up. We got the crop in and were planting in
fall in demand, James has recentlyTheplanted
ideal conditions. crop has got 330
off to acres
a good as
planned. start which is half the battle.
”
Patrick’s experience is reflective of the national
“I’m certainly concerned. Even
picture. “The when
wet, coldrestrictions
weather and a lateare lifted,
Easter
it’ll be two to three months beforeto athe
have contributed market
late season. Most improves.
growers
is year I think everyoneweren’t wasablecommitted
to plant early varieties and it’s highly
to growing the
likely that early crops won’t be ready until July,”
potatoes, going forward notes if the markets
Archie. aren’t
“Those potatoes there,
in stores we will
will have PROCESSING SECTOR
grow less.” to bridge the gap,” he adds.
Over half of Patrick’s crop goes to growers The processing sector has undoubtedly felt the impact of
James’s crop is o to aforgood – though expensive
a little for ➜ – start.
the crisping market and covid-19 hardest. Since the beginning of March European
With the majority ploughed in autumn, the wet weather has
processing potato futures have fallen over 100 Euros.
increased establishment www.potatoreview.com
costs. “It’s taken a lot of work to get POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2020 41
“With restaurants closing and many factories scaling back
elds ready for planting,” he says. “We’ve had to do ve passes
on some elds that usually take one. But all our potatoes are production, the chipping sector has seen dramatic declines
Planting outlook.indd 41 30/06/2020 17:27
now in and most are emerging, though where it is drier they in demand. Both McCain’s and Lamb Weston are rapidly
are struggling.” reducing land in production,” said Archie. “It comes on the
back of the wet harvest where many growers didn’t lift crops.
SEED PRODUCTION The loss of contracts will have a profound effect and some
It’s a concern shared by seed grower Patrick Sleigh in land simply may not be drilled with anything at all.”
Aberdeenshire. “We’re actually needing rain now,” he said.
“ough we had rain all winter – November, December and a
LABOUR
fair bit of January – when spring came, it dried up. We got the
Covid has compounded labour concerns for both Patrick and
crop in and were planting in ideal conditions. e crop has got
James. “I last used foreign labour about in spring. It’s difficult
o to a good start which is half the battle.”
Patrick’s experience is reective of the national picture. to know what to do for the best. With my family and team to
The wet, cold weather and a late Easter have contributed look after I want to minimise risks. We’ve four full time people
to a late season. Most growers weren’t able to plant early on farm and my daughter is back from university. We’ve
varieties and it’s highly likely that early crops won’t be ready been able to do everything we’ve needed to so far,” said
until July,” notes Archie. “ose potatoes in stores will have James.
to bridge the gap,” he adds. Patrick has also been able to cover the workload to date
Over half of Patrick’s crop goes to growers for the crisping but remains concerned:
market and a little for export to Egypt. While his acreage is
“What will happen this year coming depends on many things
determined by store and machinery capacity rather than
– hopefully the pandemic will have passed. Last year was a
demand, he remains optimistic about the future.
challenge but we did manage.
“We will all still need seed potatoes and trade will
continue regardless of political factors like Brexit. The “It’s not just Covid, many of the economies of Eastern
pandemic has demonstrated how co-operation is vital and European countries are improving and the value of the
trade agreements are no dierent. e loss of crop protection pound has fallen – there are many factors aecting the labour
products is much more of a challenge.” market.”
06 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
factories scaling back production, the and Covid-19,” said Patrick and James agreed. significant investment.”
chipping sector has seen dramatic declines Patrick said: “Crop protection products are While establishment costs may be up for
ARTICLE
in demand. Both McCain’s and Lamb Weston critical to producing the safe, high-quality, many this spring, potato crops have got off
are rapidly reducing land in production,” cheap food consumers demand. In the long to a good, albeit late, start. “Early indications
said Archie. “It comes on the back of the wet term, the loss of these chemicals may well suggest planted area will be down on 2019,”
PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS
harvest where many growers didn’t lift crops.
At the forefront of James’s
cause a food shortage. The blight famine,
mind is the withdrawal of CIPC.
concludes Archie. “The decrease coming from
“The lossThe ofloss
PPP is more of a challenge
of contracts will have a profound than Brexit and “Brexit hasn’t
for example, affected the whole of Europe, had an impact yet, sector
the chipping but then we don’t
where major playersknow
have
Covid-19,”effect
saidand
Patrick
some landandsimply
Jamesmay agreed.
not be drilled where it’s going
though it’s effects in Ireland are most widely so it is impossible to plan. CPIC,
reduced contracts. Anecdotal evidence onfromthe
Patrickwithsaid: “Crop
anything at all.protection
” products areremembered. other hand, was
critical toIt’s still a threat here and we withdrawn in January and that will certainly
growers in the bagging and crisping sectors,
producing the safe, high-quality, cheap food spray consumers change
for it every week. ” our plans for oursuggestsstores. We will
acreage have
planted toseason
this increase
will be
Labour
demand. In the long term, the loss of these chemicals may “The loss of the
diquat is a air
big tightness
problem. We and
use that’ll
back require
on last signicant
year. investment.”
Covid has compounded labour concerns for Spotlight (carfentrazone)While now butestablishment
it takes too costs
On-farm,may one ofbe
the up
majorfor manyis the
concerns this
well cause a food shortage. e blight famine, for example,
both Patrick and James. “I last used foreign long. Ware growers havespring, morepotato crops have
options than got toand
availability a risks
good, albeit with
associated late,bringing
start.
aected the whole of Europe, though it’s eects in seed
labour about in spring. It’s difficult to know
Ireland are
growers. We have to desiccate crops and in external labour, though growers continueonto
“Early indications suggest planted area will be down
most widely
whatremembered.
to do for the best.It’s still
myafamily
threat
andhere and we out of the ground with as much seed be most
With get them 2019,” concludes Archie the concerned
decreaseabout the ever-shrinking
coming from the
spray for team
it every week.”
to look after I want to minimise risks. as possible. You don’t want themsectorgrowingwhere
too major range players
of crop protection products.contracts.
chipping have reduced
The loss
We’veoffourdiquat
full timeispeople
a bigon problem.
farm and myWe use Spotlight
Anecdotal evidence from growers in the bagging and crisping
(carfentrazone)
daughter nowis backbutfromituniversity.
takes We’ve
too long. Ware growers sectors, suggests acreage planted this season will be
have more been able to do
options thaneverything we’ve needed
seed growers. “Everyone has done very well to get seed potatoes
We have to desiccate back on last year.
out to farms – we’ve sold nearly every tonne.”
to so far,” said James.
crops and get them out of the ground with as much seed as On-farm, one of the major concerns is the availability
Patrick has also been able to cover the
possible. workload
You don’t want them growing
to date but remains concerned:
too big and that is and risks associatedAlex Moore,with bringing
Sales Managerin external labour,
at Agrico
where diquat was good. You could stop the crop right then, though growers continue to be most concerned about the
that moment in time.” ever-shrinking range of crop protection products.
James Woodroffe’s daughter ridging potatoes. Covid has compounded labour concerns for growers.
POST-HARVEST CROP HYDRATION
42 POTATO REVIEW JULY/AUGUST 2020 FOR SALADS AND BRASSICAS
THE VEGETABLE FARMER UK • NOVEMBER 2020 “With Brexit looming our systems enable growers to harvest
Planting outlook.indd 42 when field conditions are good, and staff are available. 30/06/2020 17:27
Maintaining quality whilst extending storage time are key The produce can then be held in your cold store until
issues for all growers to improve productivity and profitability required. This offers increased flexibility and enables
says Alice Barker of Humidity Solutions. resources to be managed rather than be driven by fluctuating
“For over 12 years Humidity Solutions have specialised in supply and demand.
humidification systems for many applications but a growing “Our crop hydration systems can be retro fitted into
sector is Post Harvest humidity control for which we offer existing cold stores or installed for new build. We also
a tailored package using the latest ultrasonic humidification offer ongoing support in the form of a nationwide team of
system that will give you the solution to many issues qualified specialist ultrasonic engineers, we can work on all
experienced in postharvest storage”. makes and models.”
“This latest ultrasonic humidification technology reduces
the dehydration your crop suffers whilst in cold storage.
Humidity control is highly effective for salads, herbs, baby
leaf and brassicas. Once installed your produce will be held in
perfect condition for a considerable period after harvesting.
The produce will see an extended shelf life and you can store
your crop for longer periods when weather conditions are
poor.
Using pure water, it will fill the cold store with a visible fog
which will penetrate produce and re-hydrate it, maximising
the pick weight, enhance the quality and, lock in natural
freshness with just purified water.
Additional benefits are lower energy costs as this process 1s
more energy efficient” she says. .
07 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE
NEW SOIL TREATMENT
SLASHES PHOSPHATE
FERTILISER BILLS
FARMERS WEEKLY 11 SEPTEMBER 2020
Farmers can slash their phosphorus fertiliser bills and benefit the TRIAL RESULTS
environment thanks to a new product that converts unavailable phosphate
Assessments carried out on a range
into a crop-available form.
of crops this season have reinforced
earlier work demonstrating the value of
Many high calcium or high pH soils might appear to have adequate P Phosphorus Liberator.
indexes, but most of this essential nutrient is bound up as insoluble calcium
phosphate and is not available to the crop, says Chris Martin, Agrovista’s Last autumn, oilseed rape plots treated
head of soil. at 10 litres/ha had twice the root weight
compared with those treated with
diammonium phosphate alone at 165 kg/
“Phosphorus is critical for crop growth, playing a key role in cell biochemical
ha, thanks to a 61% uplift in plant numbers
functions and cell division. It is required in relatively large quantities during
and a 31% increase in individual plant root
important plant development phases such as seed germination and weights.
rooting, as well as flowering and seed production.”
In winter wheat, a crop assessment
Applying bagged fertiliser can help meet demands, but this can be conducted in Suffolk in January 2020
expensive and inefficient. “Depending on soil type and pH, as much as 90% showed a dramatic increase in rooting
(see table below). The effect was still
of P applied in this form can become insoluble and locked up, often within
evident the following April.
days,” says Mr Martin.
Tiller assessment showed the treated plots
“If you can make use of what’s already in the soil, you can make significant (5 litres/ha and 10 litres/ha respectively)
reductions in both inputs and costs. By applying Phosphorus Liberator, had 1.56 and 1.62 tillers per plant
growers can free up significant amounts of P, reducing fertiliser bills and excluding the main stem, compared with
improving efficiency from applied phosphate fertilisers and manures.” 1.13 for the untreated. Where compound
P had also been used, the figures were
1.84, 1.88 and 1.34 tillers respectively.
The product contains carboxylic acid, which solubilises calcium phosphate.
This keeps the phosphate in solution, making it available for uptake through Mr Martin points out that spring beans
plant roots, he explains. showed an even bigger increase overall.
Plant numbers rose by 69% and foliar
Treatment is easy as it can be applied through a conventional sprayer and root weights by 133% and 122%,
pre-drilling or tank-mixed with a wide range of pre-emergence herbicides respectively when treated with the
product.
at rates tailored to soil P levels and crop need.
08 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE
MACHINERY
SULKY GOES HIGH-TECH WITH
SMALL COMBINATION DRILL
FARMERS WEEKLY 11 SEPTEMBER 2020
A major revamp of Sulky’s compact combination drill line-up SULKY PROGRESS
last year culminated in the unveiling of the Progress – a small,
high-tech offering that has caught the eye of UK farmers Widths 3m, 3.5m and 4m
looking to experiment with different applications of seed and
Cultivation
fertiliser in one pass. Power harrow or passive disc toolbar
options
Its major selling point is the extent to which it can be specced, Suffolk (P20), twin disc (P50) and single
with options including a triple hopper – ideal for cover crops, Coulters
disc (P100)
companion cropping and fertiliser applications – and the
choice of three different coulters offering various levels of 20kg (P20), 50kg (P50) and 100kg
Coulter pressure
down-pressure. (P100)
Ian Monson, owner of Oxborough Farms in west Norfolk, took Row width* 15cm (3m), 14.6cm (3.5m), 14.3cm (4m)
delivery of the UK’s first Progress drill in early March with the Hopper See “Progress hopper options” panel
aim of evening up the emergence of crops across a range of
soil types, including heavy clay, chalks, black fen and blow-away Metering Sulky electronic
sands. Power required 160hp+ for 3m, up to 300hp for 4m
The business had been running a 6m Weaving Tine Drill, which List price £40,300-£61,365
had given the 400ha unit about 15 years of loyal service despite
being subjected to work in all conditions – including well into *Based on most popular P100 coulter option
the depths of winter following root and veg crops.
While its versatility and doggedness at the backend of the
season were obvious strengths, like many tine drill designs over
the years, depth control and seed placement were crude and
resulted in staggered crop emergence.
“It was a good drill, but the problem was getting the folding
wings working at the same depth as the coulters under the
main body.
“The crops always came up, but it wasn’t the tidiest job, so we
wanted something with a bit more accuracy,” says Mr Monson.
09 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZ
ARTICLE
STIRRED INTEREST The farm opted for the single hopper, which doesn’t take
The farm’s main operator, Martyn Cockerill, had plenty of input advantage of one of the machine’s big selling points (see
into the Weaving’s replacement, and interest in the Sulky “Progress hopper options”), but Mr Cockerill has been
system was stirred by a visit to a friend just across the county impressed by its design, nevertheless.
border near March.
REDUCED SEED LOSS
He was running a Xeos Pro – the predecessor of the Progress A rejig from the Xeos sees the distribution head sitting above
– which was available with the same three coulter options that the coulters, rather than at the front of the drill, which results
feature on the new machine. in less seed running out of the coulters when it is lifted for
These include the Suffolk-type P20, which offers 20kg of headland turns.
pressure and is popular in parts of the continent where He says the drill’s control unit and calibration process is simple,
horsepower is a limiting factor. making it extremely user friendly when switching crops or seed lots.
The other two options are both disc-based coulters, with the “We are able to run it through the tractor Isobus or an iPad
Twindisc P50 offering 50kg of pressure and the Cultidisc P100 app, but at the moment we are sticking with Sulky’s Quartz 800
applying 100kg. touchscreen, which is easy to use.”
The latter is expected to be the choice for 95% of UK customers The drill is also geared up for variable-rate drilling and electronic
and is the option that impressed Mr Cockerill when he saw it individual coulter control, which is a useful feature when using
working in marginal heavy clay conditions in Cambridgeshire, funky row widths or for contractors working across different
covering all the seed without bunging up. farms with a range of sprayer and tyre sizes.
CULTIVATION OPTIONS Although Mr Cockerill is currently not using these features,
The Progress is available in 3m, 3.5m and 4m versions, with any future tractor upgrade to one equipped with GPS will see
either a Sulky power-harrow or Cultiline XR disc tool, which the drill’s technology adopted in the near future to improve
comprises two rows of notched discs. Both the power-harrow efficiency.
and XR come with a choice of packer rollers.
TRAMLINING GREMLINS
These include the standard type for any conditions, the Tracker, Mr Cockerill has had two issues with the drill so far, including
which has rubber ribs that consolidate soil ahead of the a quirk in its automatic tramlining system, which would cause
coulters to give them something to bite into, and the Gravity – confusion when working around obstacles such as trees and
the heaviest offering ideal for flinty ground. telegraph poles.
Despite the farm having a range of soils, including heavy clay, After explaining the issue to Sulky in France, it was quickly
most of the land is medium to light, so its new Progress was rectified by its engineers, who reprogrammed Mr Cockerill’s
specced with the XR disc tool instead of the power harrow option. in-cab box so that it allowed manual control like any other drill.
This means the choice of a narrower, lower output 3m machine The second was the sole option of wheel track eradicator discs
is slightly offset by the ability to increase forward speed to with the XR disc tool version.
12kph or above.
“We would prefer a tine arrangement and will make and fit our
Mr Cockerill says that from an operator’s point of view it own before drilling cereals this autumn,” he adds.
effectively makes the Progress a mounted Vaderstad Rapid,
which has been one of the most popular seed drills in the UK
PROGRESS HOPPER OPTIONS
since the early 1990s.
However, unlike a Vaderstad Rapid, which is often brought to Sulky’s new Progress drill offers users of compact combination
a halt in wetter conditions, the Progress allows him to drop drills the option of between one and three separate hoppers,
the disc tool off the front and replace it with a power-harrow straight out the factory.
if necessary.
With Sky direct drills made in Sulky’s two French factories, the
“It means it isn’t a one-trick pony and that was one of the selling firm has been able to draw on Sky’s experience in the no-till
points for us,” explains Mr Cockerill. market, where customers are placing multiple seeds and
fertiliser products in one pass.
EVEN ESTABLISHMENT
Mr Cockerill says the drill did an excellent job on a range of soil These could include a mix of cover crop species, companion
types last spring, including some spring barley on the heaviest crops, a combination of seed and fertiliser, variety blends that
land under the farm’s stewardship, and attributes it to the P100 are gaining popularity in France, or even slug pellets with seed.
coulter and press wheel design.
The company’s UK managing director, Rob Thurkettle, says
It has also completed about 40ha of oilseed rape drilling this the multi hopper option is aimed at forward-thinking farmers
August – a crop where good, early establishment is increasingly in a plough-based system that want to experiment with
important – and the whole area is looking well after welcome rains.
some of the techniques associated with direct drilling and
“I’ve drilled into many varied seed-beds, whether light or heavy, conservation ag.
ploughed or min-tilled, and it has proven itself capable in all of
them. A single hopper version can be ordered with 1,250-litre or
1,750-litre capacity. The double hopper configuration is
“With the tine drill we’d sometimes be waiting a few days for it available with a 1,200/800-litre split or with 1,250-litre or
all to come up.
1,750-litre main tank, plus a 100-litre small seed hopper.
“That can impact the timing of pre- or peri-emergence
Finally, the three-hopper machine has a 1,200/800/100-litre
herbicides, but the Progress has been very even and will make
life a lot easier in that regard,” he explains. split for maximum flexibility.
10 WWW.INTA-AG.CO.NZYou can also read
