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Effective Field Navigation: CTF and Other Techniques
Precision farming techniques, including yield mapping, mineral fertilization, and liming with centimeter-level accuracy, represent a contemporary approach to plant production. Precision entails the efficient utilization of the farm's potential—encompassing the field, machinery, and financial resources. What methodologies and procedures should be employed for optimal field navigation? How do Rolmako machines contribute to achieving superior results?
Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) – What Does It Mean?
A perfect complement to precision farming practices is Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF). What lies behind this concept? What are the benefits of using this technology?
Controlled Traffic Farming is a plant production system in which the field is distinctly divided into two zones:
- Cultivation area: soft, uncompacted soil intended for cultivation or pasture
- Traffic lanes: permanent, hard lines along which all machines are guided.
What does such a division achieve?
Soil compaction is confined to narrow, established paths, and the surface area unaffected by vehicle wheels is maximized. Modern satellite guidance systems with the highest accuracy ensure pass repeatability with a precision of up to 2.5 cm.
The implementation of CTF technology necessitates meticulous planning, including spatial development of the field and specific investments. Nevertheless, the farmer can anticipate a minimum 15% return on capital, increased yields, and reduced costs related to fuel and machinery consumption. CTF streamlines all agricultural operations, making them less time-consuming and more reliable.
What can be done if you choose not to invest in an advanced guidance system? The implementation of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) involves minimizing vehicular traffic in the field by driving on pre-established tracks ("traffic lanes"). Thus, apply the core principles of CTF: avoid turning except at the headlands to reduce field compaction. Ideally, all machines should have the same wheel track (or multiples thereof), and all tools should have the same width. However, this is not strictly necessary. The surface area compacted by vehicle wheels can be reduced by up to 30-40%, even with varying wheel tracks and tool widths. Rolmako machines are available in several width variants, allowing you to select the size that best suits your field's needs. It is not advisable to purchase tillage equipment with large working widths in trailed versions if your fields are small and scattered.
Randomly Moving Around the Field – Consequences
Three scientists from Prague conducted an experiment comparing traditional farm management (based on plowing and random drives across the field) with precise route planning, i.e., moving along technological paths. With the GPS receiver, it was possible to trace the tracks of all machines used for agrotechnical operations throughout the year: soil preparation, sowing, spraying, stubble removal, harvesting, and mulching. Tire marks were observed on average on 96% of the field surface.
What can you do if your field has compactions caused by random passes? Use subsoiling. This will improve the physical and biological properties of the soil and increase water percolation. For this purpose, use tools from Rolmako, such as the U602 universal subsoiler, the U608/U614 subsoiler, the U632/U638 multi-purpose subsoiler, or a chisel plow. Removing compactions in the soil will provide plant roots with greater aeration and improve fertilization efficiency.
After subsoiling, it is essential to adhere consistently to the technological paths in the subsequent seasons. This does not imply that subsoilers or chisel plows will be discontinued. The effects of subsoiling are noticeable after the first season but often require repetition, particularly in highly compacted and poorly permeable soils. Additionally, due to issues such as ponding water, subsoiling the entire field should be performed at least once every 4-5 years.
What else apart from precisely planning your movement around the field?
In addition to well-planned movement around the field, implementing additional treatments on the farm can maximize benefits. Stubble retention, reduced tillage, and no-plough, along with other agrotechnical practices, benefit both the farm and the environment. Providing plant cover and prudent soil management are effective ways to prevent erosion, which can undermine a farmer's efforts.
Refraining from plowing enhances field conditions. What are the machine operation patterns for no-plough crops? Czech scientists' research indicates that conservation cultivation leaves traces on 65.5% of the surface, whereas no-till cultivation leaves 42.2%. Combining no-plough technology with precise field movement significantly reduces soil compaction and structural damage. Consequently, less than 30% of the field is occupied by technological paths.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
- Cultivation area: soft, uncompacted soil intended for cultivation or pasture
- Traffic lanes: permanent, hard lines along which all machines are guided.
What does such a division achieve?
Soil compaction is confined to narrow, established paths, and the surface area unaffected by vehicle wheels is maximized. Modern satellite guidance systems with the highest accuracy ensure pass repeatability with a precision of up to 2.5 cm.
The implementation of CTF technology necessitates meticulous planning, including spatial development of the field and specific investments. Nevertheless, the farmer can anticipate a minimum 15% return on capital, increased yields, and reduced costs related to fuel and machinery consumption. CTF streamlines all agricultural operations, making them less time-consuming and more reliable.
What can be done if you choose not to invest in an advanced guidance system? The implementation of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) involves minimizing vehicular traffic in the field by driving on pre-established tracks ("traffic lanes"). Thus, apply the core principles of CTF: avoid turning except at the headlands to reduce field compaction. Ideally, all machines should have the same wheel track (or multiples thereof), and all tools should have the same width. However, this is not strictly necessary. The surface area compacted by vehicle wheels can be reduced by up to 30-40%, even with varying wheel tracks and tool widths. Rolmako machines are available in several width variants, allowing you to select the size that best suits your field's needs. It is not advisable to purchase tillage equipment with large working widths in trailed versions if your fields are small and scattered.
Randomly Moving Around the Field – Consequences
Three scientists from Prague conducted an experiment comparing traditional farm management (based on plowing and random drives across the field) with precise route planning, i.e., moving along technological paths. With the GPS receiver, it was possible to trace the tracks of all machines used for agrotechnical operations throughout the year: soil preparation, sowing, spraying, stubble removal, harvesting, and mulching. Tire marks were observed on average on 96% of the field surface.
What can you do if your field has compactions caused by random passes? Use subsoiling. This will improve the physical and biological properties of the soil and increase water percolation. For this purpose, use tools from Rolmako, such as the U602 universal subsoiler, the U608/U614 subsoiler, the U632/U638 multi-purpose subsoiler, or a chisel plow. Removing compactions in the soil will provide plant roots with greater aeration and improve fertilization efficiency.
After subsoiling, it is essential to adhere consistently to the technological paths in the subsequent seasons. This does not imply that subsoilers or chisel plows will be discontinued. The effects of subsoiling are noticeable after the first season but often require repetition, particularly in highly compacted and poorly permeable soils. Additionally, due to issues such as ponding water, subsoiling the entire field should be performed at least once every 4-5 years.
What else apart from precisely planning your movement around the field?
In addition to well-planned movement around the field, implementing additional treatments on the farm can maximize benefits. Stubble retention, reduced tillage, and no-plough, along with other agrotechnical practices, benefit both the farm and the environment. Providing plant cover and prudent soil management are effective ways to prevent erosion, which can undermine a farmer's efforts.
Refraining from plowing enhances field conditions. What are the machine operation patterns for no-plough crops? Czech scientists' research indicates that conservation cultivation leaves traces on 65.5% of the surface, whereas no-till cultivation leaves 42.2%. Combining no-plough technology with precise field movement significantly reduces soil compaction and structural damage. Consequently, less than 30% of the field is occupied by technological paths.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
What can be done if you choose not to invest in an advanced guidance system? The implementation of Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) involves minimizing vehicular traffic in the field by driving on pre-established tracks ("traffic lanes"). Thus, apply the core principles of CTF: avoid turning except at the headlands to reduce field compaction. Ideally, all machines should have the same wheel track (or multiples thereof), and all tools should have the same width. However, this is not strictly necessary. The surface area compacted by vehicle wheels can be reduced by up to 30-40%, even with varying wheel tracks and tool widths. Rolmako machines are available in several width variants, allowing you to select the size that best suits your field's needs. It is not advisable to purchase tillage equipment with large working widths in trailed versions if your fields are small and scattered.
Randomly Moving Around the Field – Consequences
Three scientists from Prague conducted an experiment comparing traditional farm management (based on plowing and random drives across the field) with precise route planning, i.e., moving along technological paths. With the GPS receiver, it was possible to trace the tracks of all machines used for agrotechnical operations throughout the year: soil preparation, sowing, spraying, stubble removal, harvesting, and mulching. Tire marks were observed on average on 96% of the field surface.
What can you do if your field has compactions caused by random passes? Use subsoiling. This will improve the physical and biological properties of the soil and increase water percolation. For this purpose, use tools from Rolmako, such as the U602 universal subsoiler, the U608/U614 subsoiler, the U632/U638 multi-purpose subsoiler, or a chisel plow. Removing compactions in the soil will provide plant roots with greater aeration and improve fertilization efficiency.
After subsoiling, it is essential to adhere consistently to the technological paths in the subsequent seasons. This does not imply that subsoilers or chisel plows will be discontinued. The effects of subsoiling are noticeable after the first season but often require repetition, particularly in highly compacted and poorly permeable soils. Additionally, due to issues such as ponding water, subsoiling the entire field should be performed at least once every 4-5 years.
What else apart from precisely planning your movement around the field?
In addition to well-planned movement around the field, implementing additional treatments on the farm can maximize benefits. Stubble retention, reduced tillage, and no-plough, along with other agrotechnical practices, benefit both the farm and the environment. Providing plant cover and prudent soil management are effective ways to prevent erosion, which can undermine a farmer's efforts.
Refraining from plowing enhances field conditions. What are the machine operation patterns for no-plough crops? Czech scientists' research indicates that conservation cultivation leaves traces on 65.5% of the surface, whereas no-till cultivation leaves 42.2%. Combining no-plough technology with precise field movement significantly reduces soil compaction and structural damage. Consequently, less than 30% of the field is occupied by technological paths.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
What can you do if your field has compactions caused by random passes? Use subsoiling. This will improve the physical and biological properties of the soil and increase water percolation. For this purpose, use tools from Rolmako, such as the U602 universal subsoiler, the U608/U614 subsoiler, the U632/U638 multi-purpose subsoiler, or a chisel plow. Removing compactions in the soil will provide plant roots with greater aeration and improve fertilization efficiency.
After subsoiling, it is essential to adhere consistently to the technological paths in the subsequent seasons. This does not imply that subsoilers or chisel plows will be discontinued. The effects of subsoiling are noticeable after the first season but often require repetition, particularly in highly compacted and poorly permeable soils. Additionally, due to issues such as ponding water, subsoiling the entire field should be performed at least once every 4-5 years.
What else apart from precisely planning your movement around the field?
In addition to well-planned movement around the field, implementing additional treatments on the farm can maximize benefits. Stubble retention, reduced tillage, and no-plough, along with other agrotechnical practices, benefit both the farm and the environment. Providing plant cover and prudent soil management are effective ways to prevent erosion, which can undermine a farmer's efforts.
Refraining from plowing enhances field conditions. What are the machine operation patterns for no-plough crops? Czech scientists' research indicates that conservation cultivation leaves traces on 65.5% of the surface, whereas no-till cultivation leaves 42.2%. Combining no-plough technology with precise field movement significantly reduces soil compaction and structural damage. Consequently, less than 30% of the field is occupied by technological paths.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
What else apart from precisely planning your movement around the field?
In addition to well-planned movement around the field, implementing additional treatments on the farm can maximize benefits. Stubble retention, reduced tillage, and no-plough, along with other agrotechnical practices, benefit both the farm and the environment. Providing plant cover and prudent soil management are effective ways to prevent erosion, which can undermine a farmer's efforts.
Refraining from plowing enhances field conditions. What are the machine operation patterns for no-plough crops? Czech scientists' research indicates that conservation cultivation leaves traces on 65.5% of the surface, whereas no-till cultivation leaves 42.2%. Combining no-plough technology with precise field movement significantly reduces soil compaction and structural damage. Consequently, less than 30% of the field is occupied by technological paths.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
Given that regenerative agriculture and eco-schemes provide numerous benefits to farmers and their operations, Rolmako offers a comprehensive range of machines and tools for such cultivation methods. The brand's specialists continually work on developing and modernizing the units to better meet growers' needs. Planned movement in the field = reducing the number of passes due to cultivation simplifications.
Rolmako tools can be integrated into complex units, significantly reducing the number of field passes. This is crucial not only for minimizing field compaction but also for reducing the carbon footprint, lowering fuel consumption, and saving time in performing various agrotechnical procedures.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
The most popular simplifications are:
- Combination of a cultivator with a mulch harrow ComboTill
- U608 subsoiler with coupling and U693 disc harrow
- VibroStar U445 trailed pre-sowing cultivator and Cambridge roller for leveling the field and soil lumps breaking
- U693 disc harrow with cover crop seeder
- Front linkage machines
- Chisel plows
- Cultivators for no-plough soil cultivation
- Mulch harrows.
Why is it worthwhile to plan your navigation around the field?
Research presented at the Precision Agriculture Conference in Australia highlighted that traditional machine movement in the field compacts 60% of the surface, with the first pass alone responsible for 90% of soil compaction. Compacted soil yields 18-30% less. These findings motivated a conference participant, a farmer from the Warmian-Masurian province, to implement planned routes along technological paths on his 750-hectare farm, resulting in an additional profit estimated at PLN 200,000. Similar results can be achieved on your farm with effective field navigation planning.
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