The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2015 - Issue 42 | Page 10

Flawborough Farms

from arable crops which can
present big problems in these
conditions.
One of the many ways in
which they have developed
best practise is to cut the
trafficking down on the land
which only serves to compact
the soil, which in turn can mean
the land takes longer and is
harder to work with furrows
not sealing properly. Tom
has managed a remarkable
improvement by reducing
traffic from 90 percent to 30
percent, principally by using
controlled traffic farming (CTF)
which is a management tool
that lets him know where he
has trafficked so he can treat
that area separately to the
rest of the field. He also uses
equipment that has particular
width spans so the CTF lines
can be adhered to follow the
same lines.

This has also been made
easier by using GPS tracking
which really makes drilling,
harvesting etc a finite art with
good savings on time and fuel.
The aim is to do less and less
cultivation but Tom points out
that “farmers must earn the
right to direct drill”.
However this can only
possible when the soil is at
the stage where it has more
chances to work. Some soil
types may never get there.
Tom and John invest
in large, very technically
advanced machinery that is
often admittedly expensive
but does offer much greater
efficiency. Developed with
Claas and Horsch and its soi ,
they have made their own 2.5
metre auger extension so they
can get more grain into larger
trailers which also allows the
chaser to stay in CTF lines.

ADVANCED FARMING SOLUTIONS
LEADING CULTIVATION, SEEDING AND SPRAYING
TECHNOLOGY FOR PROFESSIONAL FARMERS

www.horsch.com
HORSCH works with Flawborough Farmers as a key farming partner. Our Sprinter
drill, Joker and Terrano cultivators, Leeb trailed and self-propelled sprayers help
Visit our website, your local Horsch dealer or call 01778 426987

10 Oct/Nov 2015 www.farmers-mart.co.uk