“ Whether you’ re on a budget or looking for the most high-end kit, there’ s an array of equipment to suit all needs,” says event director Jon Day.“ For those looking to make the switch to precision farming practices, or who just want to find out what it’ s all about, there is help at hand with new machines, GPS guidance systems and advice on how to maximise yields while controlling costs.”

As an insight ahead of the event, here’ s a look at just some of the latest technology on offer at this year’ s Cereals. Tractors Efficiency is often a priority when deciding on a new machine and with fuel being one of the highest costs on farm, it’ s important for machinery to deliver.

Leading the way is John Deere’ s new 400HP 8400R tractor, which has broken three world records for fuel efficiency and drawbar performance. Set to make its first appearance at Cereals, it promises a 2 % reduction in fuel consumption compared to the previous top of the range 8370R model. In addition to this, it boasts maximum drawbar performance – beating its nearest competitors by 23 %- enabling wider implements to be used to increase productivity. Cultivation Kit & Drills As growers look to push crop yields and productivity, it can really help to have the most efficient cultivation equipment.

Developed by farmer Peter Bristow, Bristow’ s new angled disc rapeseed drill is set to change how rape seeds are sown – creating cost and time savings. The single pass drill features split level subsoil 410mm discs at the front, a multi-tooth tiller roll, with angled discs and coulters which help retain lifted soil – ensuring the seed is covered. As well as this, a precision scraped flat roll with

extreme spring pressures provides great depth control – sealing in all available moisture at point of drilling; improving seed to plant percentage and promoting early vigour.

“ This new concept drill leaves a good, flat, one-pass seed bed with no need to roll,” says Mr Bristow.

A new HE-VA Combi-Lift Pre- Cultivator is set to be launched by Opico at this year’ s event, which allows soil loosening at the same time as cultivating or drilling. Designed to subsoil down to 350mm, the Combi-Lift is a versatile machine, suited to a range of tasks, says James Woolway, Opico’ s managing director.“ The Combi-Lift can be lifted out of work when not needed, while operating the drill or cultivator,” he explains.“ This means specific ground can be targeted, such as wheelings, poorly drained areas of the field or pockets of compaction.”

Combining the high-tech principles of pneumatic metering systems with the simplicity of a conventional seed drill, Amazone is launching Cataya- the 3-metre working width drill combination. This latest addition to Amazone’ s stable has a 1270 litre seed hopper with a favourable centre of gravity to keep the tractor lift requirement at a minimum. It also boasts features including the Precis metering system and TwinTeC double disc coulters.

Amazone has also extended its Catros compact disc harrow range with the introduction of six new models. Among these, the Catros Special. The introduction of the smaller 2.5, 3.0 and 4.0m rigid Catros Special compact disc harrows benefits growers with uniform contour following for shallow, even, depth control. John Deere will also be

launching its 750A All-Till seed drill. The drill is available in 3, 4 and 6m models and is designed with large clearances for no-till drilling into stubble, working after minimum or conventional cultivations, or as a single pass operation for grassland and rough pasture renovation. Sprayers Profiling the most up-to-date innovations and application technology, Syngenta’ s Sprays & Sprayers arena will feature again at this year’ s event. The arena is set to put 50 of the latest sprayers to test – showing visitors what’ s on the market to help them improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Among these, winner of‘ Sprayer of the Year’ at SIMA, is Berthoud’ s new trailed sprayer – VANTAGE; perfect for farmers looking for both accuracy and speed. It draws the best features from across Berthoud’ s range – including Dualmatic operation that reduces residual volumes by using shorter connecting pipes. With five models available, boom lengths range from 24m to 44m, all boasting good handling and stability thanks to their low centre of gravity and dynamic tank design.

" The VANTAGE is the sprayer for farmers who want to combine application precision, high working speed and comfort," says François-Xavier Janin, head of products at Berthoud Crops.

Knight Farm machinery is set to launch its new entry level trailer sprayer models- Xplorer- at this year’ s event. Machines will be available with either 3,000 or 4,000 litre spray tanks and 12 to 28 metre self-levelling hydraulic booms.

“ Xplorer sprayers are robust machines that combine quality components and engineering to Cont....