The end of April marked the continuing demonstration of the strip-till soil cultivation technology with fertiliser application using the STRIP-TILL cultivator at many customers. The STRIP-TILL cultivator is designed for strip-till soil cultivation when soil is processed in strips with the spacing of 75cm and depth of 20 – 30cm, with optional fertilisation at two depth levels.
The strip-till technology is most suitable for wide-row crops (corn in particular) with high anti-erosion effect. Alternating processed and unprocessed soil helps it absorb rainfall and resist water erosion, which is substantial especially in case of corn. On the other hand, the vegetation withstands unproductive evaporation and loss of moisture in the dry season as the unprocessed strips are sufficiently covered with plant residue.
For example, the mechanisation engineer at the agricultural company of Agro Kunčina a.s. (Svitavy District) confirmed that our machine provided good-quality soil aeration and easily managed crop residue, did not tear the wall of the processed strip, fertilised at two depth levels, and resisted highly abrasive soil. They were very pleased with the work of the machine.
Another company where the machine was demonstrated was ZAS Úžice a.s. (Kutná Hora District). The demonstration was also attended by representatives of other companies so that they could see how the 8-row STRIP-TILL cultivator works after various early crops and under various conditions. In the first case, the machine worked on a wheat stubble field with a slope of up to 10%. Then, the early crop was wintered phacelia. The company representatives were very pleased to see the reliable work of the STRIP-TILL machine with application of 200kg of granulated urea, followed with corn seeding into the processed strips using a 12-row seed drill. The soil cultivation with the 8-row machine was perfect for the larger follow-up seed drill.
Despite the fact that the STRIP-TILL technology is not yet included in the subsidy policy, many companies are becoming aware that in order to provide fodder or sources for biogas stations, it is required to also seed fields with the risk of water erosion. They know that they have to protect the property of municipalities and citizens, the quality of water streams from accretion, as well as soil itself which quickly loses its productive ability due to the erosion of the most valuable part.
Another important advantage of the STRIP-TILL technology je the fact that there is minimal disturbance of soil prior to seeding and that it is prepared for seeding very quickly (using a single operation), unlike the standard tillage preparation.
The STRIP-TILL cultivator combines a pro-European structural design with technologies used in the USA. The solid frame provides precise depth-guidance of the working parts and stable down-pressure of the rear rollers that crush any potential clods and compact soil.
The Demo Tour is still in progress and if you would like to try out this anti-erosion technology, contact us at v.paslerova@farmet.cz.
