Check out the Flexible Farming Systems No-Till Fact Sheets!

A series of fact sheets are being put together as part of the Flexible Farming Systems project, a joint project between BCG and VNTFA. The fact sheets have been designed to support farmer’s decision making when getting into no-till and management of specific elements in no-till systems. The fact sheets provide information on a range of topics including: Optimum row spacing in a no-till system, seeder setup for no-till systems, getting into no-till farming and trifluralin use in no-till. Also in the series will be fact sheets on header set up for no-till and managing slugs and mice in no-till systems.

The no-till machinery set-up and modification and optimum row spacing fact sheets have recently been distributed at the machinery modification morning held in Culgoa. Over 50 farmers attended this day which provided a great opportunity for farmers to exchange ideas about no-till seeder set ups.

With many farmers currently changing sowing gear and making last minute modifications, the no-till seeder set up and modification fact sheet is a valuable resource. Seeder set up is important for ensuring no-till success and the choice of implement will be influenced by soil type, crop type, stubble management, acreage, available horsepower, rotations, fertiliser forms and budget. There are plenty of options and combinations to choose from and although disc seeders are increasing in popularity, the majority of no-till seeders are tined implements. For first time no-tillers, tined seeders are recommended as there is more room for error with respect to establishment, Rhizoctonia, pre-emergent herbicide damage and grass weed control.

The no-till seeder set up and modification fact sheet focuses on setting up a tined implement for no-till seeding and covers the performance of a no-till seeder and influences break out pressures; point types; seeding boot design; clearance; and machine configuration. The air cart requirements to compliment the seeding bar are also considered discussing capacity, metering and delivery systems, compartment number, and variable rate capability. The adoption of precision guidance to enable inter-row sowing will enhance stubble flow and reduce or eliminate stubble clumping are also covered.

Check out the Flexible Farming Systems project data and results.