Farmers using min-till sowing techniques for cover crops and companion planting could achieve faster and more consistent establishment with precision applications of liquid fertiliser.
A multi-component tillage train system developed by Techneat application specialist James English combines a MultiCast seeder unit and a Nutristart LQ liquid fertiliser applicator to deliver seeding and fertiliser placement in a single pass. It is one way to cope with increasingly unpredictable weather pattens which create significant challenges for the successful autumn establishment of cover crops and companion planting, says Mr English.
“With increasingly protracted dry weather periods, it’s crucial to conserve any available soil moisture and also encourage rapid root growth for establishing seedlings to seek out reserves,” he says.
Fast and accurate
Shorter periods of good conditions for autumn sowing makes high work rates a priority to cover ground quickly and help to ensure drilled crops get off to the best possible start, adds Mr English.
The tillage train principle ensures that seeds are accurately placed into adequate tilth, while minimising surface movement to protect against water loss and weed seed incorporation.
Operating in tandem with the Nutristart LQ, a tailored liquid fertiliser can be placed directly alongside the seed, to encourage faster establishment of the crop. The direct placement of both encourages the rapid uptake of nutrients and avoids waste. Fertiliser composition and application rates can be tailored to individual field conditions by agronomists. But research suggests growers should typically aim for a low nitrogen, high phosphorus 5-15-5, to encourage rapid rooting and biomass development.
Consistent
“The aim is to achieve more consistent establishment in challenging conditions,” says Mr English. “That’s essential for cover crops to maximise their potential to retain and recycle nutrients.”
The system also helps to protect and enhance the soil structure through the winter, along with optimising the role of companion planting alongside the establishing crop, adds Mr English. The MultiCast 400 unit can be fitted with a specific metering cartridge for small seeds or cover crop mixtures, with the versatility to change cartridges for other applications, such as Avadex Granules, or to swap onto other machines through the year.
Metering of both seed rate and fertiliser is matched to forward speed via Garmin GPS. The Multicast 400 and Nutristart LQ tillage train combo is now available for growers to try out through the Techneat Hire scheme.