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A smarter approach to stubble management
Traditional approaches to arable stubble management are being challenged by a radical
new concept that could transform established post harvest agricultural practice.
The new rotary mulcher stubble management system is being pioneered by leading UK rotary mowing manufacturer Spearhead to coincide with the launch of its latest range
of mulching machines which the company claims is one of the most exciting new model
line-ups to emerge from the drawing board.
Traditional management of harvest stubble has focused on the combine harvester as
the principal tool involved in processing residual straw and chaff through the use
of its cutters and spreaders.
Now, that practice is being challenged by the British manufacturer as time-consuming
and more costly. The claims are backed up by independent research conducted by Dresden University in Germany, one of Europe’s leading agricultural institutions.
Spearhead’s General Manager, Christian Davies claims that the new STARCUT approach
delivers a far more effective solution as well as substantial reductions in labour
and fuel costs.
“This represents one of the most exciting developments in arable crop management
for a generation and makes absolute sense from every perspective. As well as saving
time and money, there is less of an emphasis on the combine and a reduction in worn
parts. The potential for damage to one of most expensive pieces of equipment in
farming is also greatly reduced,” he explains.
“What’s more, the new approach to stubble management proposed accelerates decomposition
of the crop residue and reduces the requirement for fertiliser as well as minimising
the risk of disease carry-over to subsequent crops."
The new concept is based on stubble height and the dramatic impact this has on the
combine’s operational performance. The higher the setting for the cutter bar, the
less straw is taken into the harvester and therefore its capacity to thresh is greatly
increased.
Reduced volumes of straw passing through the combine enable operating speeds to
be increased markedly. As a direct consequence, there is a reduction in operational
hours and savings of up to 26% on fuel according to the work undertaken over a four
year period at Dresden.
The study compared Spearhead’s STARCUT solution with common current arable practice
combining at approximates stubble heights of 14cm and using the combine’s straw
chopper to deal with the residue.
The university carried out extensive
evaluation of fuel consumption, combine capacity
and chop quality at two different stubble heights – 14cm in line with conventional
practice and at 35cm, more than twice as high. The results reinforce Spearhead’s
claims highlighting considerable benefits to be gained from a change in stubble
management practice.
According to the research, cutting stubble at a height of 35cm
increased combine capacity.
The higher standing stubble is mulched using a STARCUT mulcher with the additional
benefits of faster operational capability and improved soil management achieved
by the more even distribution of a finer mulch. Crop residue decomposition is accelerated
while fertiliser requirements are reduced along with the risk of disease carry-over
to next season’s crops.
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