Potato Review

38 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 MACHINERY A GRICULTURAL machinery dealers are noticing significant changes in demand for new kit, driven by the move towards regenerative farming, robotics, and data-based decisions. Low disturbance tillage is becoming increasingly popular with growers as they continue to move away from ploughing and embrace modern regenerative farming practices. In the run-up to the Midlands Machinery Show on November 16 th and 17th, several dealers discussed the trends they were experiencing with the show’s organisers. Chandlers Managing Director Gavin Pell said while ploughing the land after root crops like potatoes still had its place, many growers are moving towards regenerative systems which leave the soil profile and structure intact. “Some modern subsoilers have very low surface disturbance and can be used to alleviate compaction without disturbing the soil profile. For example, with the HE-VA Stealth a disc makes a cut and a leg passes through. The soil profile is not inverted,” he said. Growers using a min till or no till regime are increasingly looking for effective, low disturbance subsoiling, he added. “This is to loosen and fracture the medium depth subsoil to relieve compaction, assist drainage, aeration, nitrogen uptake and to encourage crop rooting.” Very shallow surface cultivators are also proving popular for stale seedbeds, he adds. “They promote weed seeds to chit. As the cost of chemicals rises, some growers are using cultivators instead of glyphosate.” With less and lighter cultivation being carried out, there is a matching trend away from very large tractors. The new 260-280hp Gen7 Fendt 700 series tractor introduces the VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system into this lower hp sector. This reduces soil compaction by lowering tyre pressures in the field, while returning to a safe pressure for roadwork needed between fields, Gavin said. General Manager at Mzuri, Dani Bond, said more and more growers are looking for low disturbance direct drills that don’t compromise on quality of the seedbed, in particular good seed to soil contact. “The flagship Pro-Til one-pass drill offers strip tillage and direct establishment into stubble and cover crops and remains a popular choice with growers looking to reduce establishment costs compared to conventional systems,” she said. Jonny Newton, Depot and Area Sales Manager at Yorkshire-based machinery firm, Russells, says overall there has been an increase in average horsepower of tractors sold to UK farms. “Up from 155hp the new average is now 167hp. Most farmers are increasing tractor size but, in some cases, reducing fleet size owing to staff shortages and smaller working windows. “These tractors are also more technologically equipped than their predecessors, with a lot of features now being standard and the option to add more features and benefits very easily. A road speed of 50kph now seems to be the norm across most manufacturers coupled with front linkages and PTOs. Dealers discuss new trends becoming apparent within growing. Key machinery preferences emerging Some growers are looking at dispensing with tractors altogether in some applications. Gavin Pell