CropTec, the technical event for arable and mixed farmers will be packed with innovation designs to help growers become more profitable in the post-Brexit era.
The innovation line-up covers crop nutrition, plant breeding, crop establishment, crop breeding and machinery.
More than 140 leading suppliers of the latest technology, products and services will be on hand to discuss developments across the arable sector when CropTec returns to the East of England Showground on 29th and 30th November.
A visit to the event will help ensure growers keep apace of the rapid changes that are taking place in cropping, cultivations and input application.
Here’s a taster of what visitors can expect, illustrating the wide range of topics that are being addressed by exhibitors. With many more innovations still to be announced, where better to spend the last two days of November?
CropTec remains free for everyone to attend, provided tickets are booked in advance.
Magnetic spray drift reduction
MagGrow, sponsor of the CropTec Spraying Technology Hub, will be introducing its magnetic spray drift reduction concept at CropTec.
The system provides superior coverage to conventional crop spraying systems and also reduces spray drift by up to 80%, according to the company.
It uses magnetic inserts on the sprayer that impart an electromagnetic charge into the sprayed liquid. All living plants and soil have a magnetic field, so this liquid is attracted to its target.
This reduces pesticide wastage and increases the number of spray windows while supporting environmental regulations and a better environment, says MagGrow. The product can be retro-fitted to all makes of sprayer.
New StarFire receiver makes UK debut at CropTec
John Deere’s new-generation StarFire 6000 satellite receiver sets new standards in operational accuracy and signal uptime, says the company.
The StarFire 6000, making its UK show debut at CropTec, is the successor to the 3000 model and features an improved antenna and the latest in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal processing technology.
The new receiver is available with an improved, free SF1 correction signal (+/-15cm, reduced from 23cm), an all-new SF3 signal with +/-3cm pass to pass accuracy and a number of major RTK (+/-2.5cm) innovations.
With in-season repeatability up to nine months, the SF3 signal prevents guidance line drift when operating in long fields, skipping passes or when using AutoTrac.
It also features a longer RTK Extend mode of up to 14 days, maintaining full accuracy and repeatability if the line-of-sight or mobile network connection is lost.
Single nozzle switching
A new individual nozzle switching system that virtually eliminates the risk of over-application or misses is being introduced by Knight Farm Machinery.
The system combines Knight’s Sprayer-Controller with a communication module and a series of pneumatic Muller EDS modules.
Each module controls four single, two double or one quadruple nozzle holder, and is capable of switching each of them on or off in sequence as they reach overlap or the field boundary.
New sprayers on show
Chafer’s new self-propelled Interceptor sprayer will be on show at the event. Designed for the medium to large scale arable farm, it can be fitted with a 4000 or 5000-litre tank and booms from 24m to 36m.
The Chafer Defender, with a 3000 or 3500-litre tank and booms up to 30m in width, will also join the range. Both models are due to go on sale for delivery in spring 2017.
The sprayers will be powered by 6six-cylinder Deutz TCD tier 4 final engines. All booms can be specified with Chafer Contour automatic boom levelling.
The ePlumbing control system is available on both models, controlled via external and in-cab 7” colour terminals. This includes eFill automatic filling software that allows the operator to select filling volumes of both the main spray and rinse water tanks.
Automatic boom section control is fitted as standard, and hydraulically operated auto steer is an option.
A new 6000-litre model from Horsch’s Leeb LT range joins the 4000 and 5000-litre variants. It features a taller tank but retains the same wheelbase for manoeuvrability.
The Leeb 6 LT shares many other features of the 5000-litre Leeb 5 LT, which will be on view at CropTec. The range features the company’s BoomControl system, 18m to 42m boom widths, nozzle switching and ISOBUS operating system to ease adjustment, operation and control of the machine.
The machine on show is specified with the optional steering axle, using its own gyroscope that removes the need for cable or mechanical connection to the tractor.
Seed-bed fertiliser where it’s needed
Claydon’s 3m mounted seed and fertiliser drill on display at CropTec reflects a growing trend in some areas of a return to combination drilling due to better crop establishment, improved fertiliser placement and reduced inputs.
The fertiliser placement option for the Claydon Hybrid drill puts liquid, granular and/or micro-granular fertiliser within the seeding zone, ensuring nutrients are located where the plant needs them.
This avoids applying expensive fertiliser on the 50% per cent of soil between seeded strips that remains undisturbed, ensuring optimum nutrition for young seedlings, better utilisation of fertiliser and potentially significant cost savings, says the company.
Cultivation and cover-cropping solutions
Experts from Opico will be on hand to advise on the Sky drill range, helpful for growers considering how to move forward with no-till, min-till, cover cropping or companion crops.
The design of the drills – the MaxiDrill drill and EasyDrill, primarily min-till and direct drills respectively – offers great versatility across a range of soil conditions and cultivation systems, allowing a wide window of crop establishment, says Opico.
With minimal soil disturbance, the drills can be used in the fight against grass weeds, says the company, whilst providing consistent seed and fertiliser placement.
Focus on soil structure technology
Great Plains will be showing the new mounted X-Press VX short disc harrow and ST toolbar at CropTec and is emphasising solutions designed to maintain good soil structure.
Visitors can hear about disc and tine selections to suit particular cultivation tasks, soil types and operating conditions, as well as key features around the company’s recently launched low-disturbance and full-cultivation modular seeding systems.
On-the go tyre-pressure changing
TractAir will announce a new range of products that allow on-the move tyre pressure alterations.
The Central Tyre Inflation Systems (CTIS) allow operators to change pressures from inside the cab at the touch of a button, in motion and at any speed.
Low pressures can quickly be selected in the field to spread the weight of the machine and maximise grip. When returning to the road, tyres can be inflated to give stability, fuel efficiency and minimum tyre wear.
Trailer and implement tyre pressures can also be controlled from inside the tractor, says TractAir.
Optimum grain drying
Allmet’s Intelligent Dryer Control (IDC) System will be making its first CropTec appearance.
The machine helps reduce drying costs and increases drying capacity by maintaining an average outgoing moisture content of the grain, regardless of large variations in incoming moisture content.
Grain type and drying recipe can be altered at the touch a button, either from a PC or tablet. Drying to 13% instead of 14% can increase energy costs by a fifth and reduce dryer capacity by up to 16%, says Allmet.
Stubble crusher uses fixed knives
Schulte is introducing a stubble crusher with fixed-knife technology to the UK. Stubble and crop residue is driven into stationary knives, mounted under the cutter deck, by free swinging blades.
This increases the chopping and mulching action of a rotary cutter, helping direct drilling and strip tillage seeding and promotes residue decomposition and weathering, says Schulte.
The fixed knives can be removed quickly, leaving a rotary cutter for grassland and pasture management.
