Accuracy pays when spreading borders
Published on 22 March 2021
AMAZONE claims its new AutoTS spreading system can increase yields along the borders of the field by up to 17 percent. Accurate, tailored fertiliser application plays a critical role in reducing costs and protecting the environment.
CLAAS Harvest Centre General Manager – Product, Tim Needham, says tried-and-tested disc-integrated system uses shortened blades for more accurate but flexible spreading along borders.
“Settings can be adjusted to the specific spreading situation – side, boundary or water course spreading – from the comfort of the tractor cab. For example, if the paddock borders onto land with a similar crop, 100 percent of the application rate can be spread right up to the edge of the field using the side spreading function.”
“If the paddock borders a road or public footpath, the boundary spreading function reduces the maximum throwing distance and prevents fertiliser from being thrown across the border. The water course spreading function ensures the maximum spreading pattern is kept within the confines of the field.”
Large-scale field trials conducted over several years have compared the performance of AutoTS system to conventional border spreading techniques under practical conditions. Calcium ammonium nitrate was spread 24 metres over three separate passes.
“The average yield of the five metre border treated with a conventional border spreading system was just 68 percent of the full field. This increased to 85 percent when using AMAZONE AutoTS. This improvement can really add up in small or irregular-shaped fields because they have a higher proportion of border area.” Tim says.
The added value generated by AutoTS compared to conventional border spreading systems can be estimated using an online calculator (amazone.net/border-spreading-calculator). This calculator is based on paddock size and shape, crop type and crop value.
- AMAZONE Auto TS allows precise spreading of fertiliser right up to the edge of the field or borders, including fencelines, hedges and water courses
