This year’s Cereals Event visitors can see how minimum disturbance machines improve soil health, which is vital to arable and forage production.
The benefits of minimum disturbance machines are preserving organic matter, improving soil structure and supporting microbial activity. Reducing soil compaction allows roots to grow deeper, access more nutrients, and improve water infiltration and air circulation.
Agriweld’s Dean Foster explains “leaving crop residues on the surface protects the soil from erosion and helps retain organic matter, contributing to better soil fertility and carbon sequestration.”
He adds, “These practices also enhance water management, as healthier soil retains moisture better and reduces surface runoff. With fewer disturbances, beneficial soil organisms like earthworms and bacteria thrive, improving nutrient cycling and reducing the need for fertilisers.
“Minimum disturbance machinery promotes healthier, more vigorous crops, leading to more consistent yields and potentially better forage quality.”
Visitors can see the firm’s Min-Disc subsoiler and multi-till cultivator working this year. Dean explains, “It features a leading row of 460mm serrated ODS discs that cut through the top layer of soil and trash, allowing the following low disturbance leg to pass through the soil without great disruption. Leaving the cover of trash on the field is good protection against water and wind erosion of the soil. The disc bar is fully height adjustable independent from the legs.”
He adds “The angled wings on the point lift the soil before it sits back down, causing a shattering effect across width of the machine, alleviating compaction, aerating the soil and helping water infiltration.”
The Multi Till 5T cultivator will complement this subsoiler, suitable for both small and large farmers, with multiple models available. Dean comments “It leads with a set of 460mm ODS discs followed by auto-reset legs behind, with a double row of mixing discs and finally the Agri-packer. Each aspect can be individually raised out of work, which gives five combinations for maximum versatility.”
“The Agri-packer also features our easy-clean scraper bar for easy cleaning of debris.”
Transitioning tips
ADM Agriculture’s regenerations programme offers general advice on transitioning to regenerative arable farming.
The UK programme offers financial incentives and technical support for implementing regenerative techniques.
The programme has three key components.
- Financial incentives
- Farmers receive payments for implementing regenerative practices such as cover cropping, conservation tillage, nutrient management and enhancing biodiversity.
- Technical support
- ADM and Ceres Rural are providing agronomic advice to support farmers with regenerative practices for their specific farm system.
- Data and monitoring
- The programme uses satellite imagery and data analysis to monitor and verify the adoption of regenerative methods to help farmers understand environment impact and track progress.
For more information go to www.cerealsevent.co.uk
