The Techneat Intelli-Rate controller can now link information from precision farming mapping systems, direct to the company’s GPS-guided variable rate seed metering mechanism, fitted to seeder units on one-pass sub-soiler and tillage establishment systems.
To be launched at the Cereals Event this year, the system enables growers to automatically adjust seed rates, to achieve more consistent establishment and to optimise yield potential across the field.
It will link with a wide range of precision farming information sources, including the SOYLseed maps and Agrii Soilquest data.
The Intelli-Rate is compatible with all Techneat seeder metering units, including the TerraCast V2. Importantly it can be easily retro-fitted to couple into existing controllers as a plug-and-play unit, with a controller software upgrade to dovetail with external data sources, reported Tom Neat, of Techneat Engineering.
"Our unique single-point metering mechanism - distributing to multiple outlets on a sub-soiler’s legs, cultivator tines or other tillage system - means that it can reliably operate at very low seed rates, which cannot be achieved with multiple metering systems," he said.
"Furthermore, our metering unit adjusts in increments of just 0.1 kg/ha, which can fully exploit the great potential of precision variable seed rates and achieve the high rates of accuracy required."
A SOYLseed map, for example, creates zones of different establishment potential, based on results of a detailed survey of the soil conductivity to establish clay content, soil texture, depth, stone content, moisture and a number of other factors influencing establishment.
This enables seed rates to be varied around an optimum - dictated by seedbed quality, drilling date and conditions. The information is fed into the Techneat Intelli-Head linked to the controller, which automatically adjusts the variable rate metering mechanism on the move, to precisely deliver the optimum seed rate across the field.
In practice, the system may see a 25 to 30% variation in oilseed rape seed rate across a field, according to specific soil types. For an overall target of 3.25 kg/ha, for example, that may range from 3.1 kg on lighter parts of the field with good potential establishment conditions, up to 3.9 kg on heavier zones that have poorer potential.
"The greater the variability in soil type across any given field, the greater the benefit that can be achieved from variable rate seeding," advised SOYL Technical Development Manager, David Whattoff. "There is potentially some opportunity to reduce seed rates, but more importantly it adjusts seed rate to ensure the right amount is delivered in the right place to establish the necessary plant numbers to achieve the full yield potential of the field.
"It’s a system that has already been well proven for cereals and now being able to exploit the potential on one-pass establishment systems for oilseed rape is an exciting development."
Techneat Sales Manager, Ady Sallis added that the Intelli-Rate has already been ordered on machines for the 2012 establishment season, as well as growers with existing TerraCast V2 machines. "With the exceptionally well proven machines and incorporating features such as split hopers for seed and slug pellets, the range of seed placers and flexibility to mount on a wide range of tillage systems, we offer the most complete package for low-cost oilseed rape establishment.
"Now, with the new Intelli-Rate, it’s brought a new level of precision farming technology to the system, which will enable growers to get even better and more reliable results in the future."
