Page 6 - dale drills

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BENEFITS OF DIRECT DRILLING
Reduced costs
Less cultivations mean less machinery movements – helping to reduce the cost per hectare and improve profit margins. Moisture conservation, better soil structure and lower weed pressure can see savings of more than £70/ha on establishment costs.
Yield increase
Extensive trials have shown that over a prolonged period direct drilling can lead to improved yields when compared to crops established using conventional cultivation based techniques.
Greater output
An 8m drill can be operated with a 160-200hp tractor and achieve an average output of 6ha/hr, ensuring timely cultivation.
Healthier soil
Less cultivations lead to increased micro-organism and earthworm activity. Soil structure retains its porosity allowing good root development due to the improved availability of water, air and nutrients.
Improved stability of top soil structure
The increase in organic matter in the top soil means problems associated with capping, leaching, moisture loss and compaction are reduced whilst tilth creation is improved ensuring better seed-soil contact.
Better weed control
The reduced disturbance of a Dale drill helps to restrict weed growth between the seed rows.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Ensure seed is placed into moisture. The drilling assembly’s depth can be infinitely adjusted between 0 – 100mm.
Drill in a timely fashion. High output, a reduced footprint and minimal disturbance all contribute to allow the user to pick and choose – or even delay – when they drill, helping with the control of grass weeds.
Look-out for slugs. Cultivations squash slugs and destroy slug eggs. In a wet season direct drilled crops are more susceptible to slug attacks. Straw rakes, rolling and pellets will all reduce the impact of slugs.
Apply fertiliser while drilling. This will significantly improve crop establishment by promoting quicker growth and better root development.
Respect the soil. Avoid passes with heavier machinery and inappropriate tyres in inclement weather conditions.
Closely monitor crops. Provided a good rotation is adopted, grass weeds tend to be less of a problem with direct drilling as seeds stay near the surface where residual chemicals are most effective.
DALE DRILLS
THE FUTURE OF EFFICIENT CROP ESTABLISHMENT
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WHY DIRECT DRILL?
The aim of a direct drill is to place the seed directly into moisture beneath the residues of the previous crop, removing the need for any cultivation or seedbed preparation.