The Surface primary seedbed cultivator, developed by machinery expert Cousins and crop protection specialist Hutchinsons has been awarded an International Machinery Manufacturer’s Awards (IMMA) medal in the Cereals Event machinery awards.
Judged on innovation, effectiveness and value, the Surface cultivator has been placed as one of the top two entries in the Cultivations Equipment category, the final decision will be announced on June 11 at the Cereals Event.
The Surface seedbed cultivator was developed through a collaboration between Cousins and Hutchinsons based on the agronomic need for healthy crops and controlling weeds.
“Cultivations have a key impact on black-grass and our work at the Brampton black grass centre suggests growers can do far more to combat the burgeoning black grass problems and reduce reliance on struggling herbicides,” Hutchinsons’ Dick Neale said.
“Cultivations using a novel combination of shallow tines and rolls can play a huge roll in stimulating black-grass emergence, making stale seedbeds more effective, particularly when followed by heavy rolling and repeated destruction using glyphosate.”
Mr Neale said the key to the technique was that black-grass seeds only germinate in the top 5cm of soil. So, shallow cultivations are crucial to stimulate germination and destruction of potentially troublesome seeds near the surface, before the crop is sown, without pulling seed up from further down the soil profile.
“This is achieved by the Surface cultivator through central and rear ballastable rollers that allow for precise depth control to only 5cm depth,” Laura Cousins explained. “The tines can be raised from work allowing for the machine to function as a seedbed press that’s ideal for rolling after strip till type drills.
“High work rates concentrate crop residues in the soil surface to protect soils from wet weather conditions and optimise any late drilling opportunities required for black grass control. The Surface cultivator will also work and level ploughed soils both pre- and post-winter on all soil types – so it’s a really versatile machine.
“The intention and the driver for our collaboration with Hutchinsons was to develop a real and sustainable solution to the burgeoning blackgrass problem and one that also conserved moisture for establishing crops,” Ms Cousins added. “We looked at the whole issue and then designed a machine that could offer part of the solution by tackling challenges during establishment. We’re proud and very pleased that our innovative approach in developing the Surface cultivator to tackle these issues has been recognised by IMMA.”
For more information visit: www.hlhltd.co.uk or www.cousinsofemneth.co.uk.
