The Farmers Mart Oct/Nov 2016 - Issue 48 | Page 76

Machinery Farmers quick to recognise benefits of TerraStar »»THE LIGHT ROTARY CULTIVATOR, “The declining effectiveness and redesigned from the machines seen in increasing cost of agrochemicals is the 1980s, is coming back into fashion as forcing us all to focus on more effective farmers look for more effective methods management of stubbles using mechanical of stubble management, blackgrass, weed, solutions, and the TerraStar can be used volunteer and slug control, according to prior to any cultivation / drilling system” Claydon Drills. says Jeff. “On our own farm we have 14 years’ proof that direct drilling can work The company re-introduced the concept earlier this year with the launch of its 6m “The TerraStar uses two banks of cross- very well, but it must be done correctly TerraStar, a low-cost, high-output shallow blade rotors which move slightly more and in combination with an effective rotary cultivator which can cover 90ha per soil than a Claydon Straw Harrow but less stubble management strategy. Using day behind a 150hp tractor using less than than normal tine cultivators or disc-type timings of light surface cultivations 200 litres of diesel. implements, which create too much fine with the TerraStar and Straw Harrow, in tilth and present a significant weather risk combination with strip seeding and wider recognise the benefits of the TerraStar by either drying out or turning soils slushy. rotations, we have been able to stay on as a valuable weapon in their armoury Instead, the TerraStar creates just enough top of weeds and seen yields increase against blackgrass, cereal volunteers, tilth to encourage volunteers and weeds progressively during that time. Ignoring brome grass and other weeds,” says Jeff to chit, while assisting with slug control, weeds, volunteers and slugs does not make Claydon, who has proven its effectiveness drainage and the incorporation of manures them go away - it is essential to make on his own arable farm in Suffolk. He or root crop residues. That makes it a very them grow and kill them so they cannot adds: valuable stubble management tool. return.” “Farmers have been quick to Philip Ltd Hall Farm, Stainton, Nr. Rotherham, S. Yorkshire S66 7QY Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] Email: [email protected] www.philipwatkins.co.uk 2.4m Mounted TRI-TILL Also available 3m and 3.6m 5m QUAD-TILL Available 3m to 6m 3m Heavy Duty Stubble Cultivator Available mounted 3m, 3.5m and 4m Also available Trailed 4m to 12m 4.8m Incorporator 76 Oct/Nov 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk