CropCadet

Building a successful small diversified or mixed farming operation, requires careful management of the grazing crops and livestock the farm produces. The proper balance of crop types and the optimal utilisation of cropping tools and implements can provide farmers and graziers numerous benefits as well as more flexible management of their operations.

Building a grazing crop mix

According to New South Wales Agriculture’s “The Grazier’s Guide to Pastures”, an ideal mix of pastureland features introduced grasses, native grasses, and legumes. This allows for perennial regrowth while also supplementing with specialised plants or annuals to fill in nutritional gaps. The pasture’s mix is often described as 70% grasses and 30% legumes, but some variation in proportion is possible due to soil conditions and plant populations within the grazing area.

It can be a challenge to seed protein-rich legumes like vetches, clovers and lucerne into established native grassland. But for many graziers, the paybacks are immense. Not only can graziers see improved animal performance on mixed grasses and legumes versus just shrubby stylo (up to 90kg/head/year),  but they can improve the growing quality of the paddock itself.

The nitrogen cycling and fixation capabilities of legumes can improve growth of all forages in native grass pastures by up to 30%. This increase comes from not only the addition of the legume’s volume to the production ration, but also the boost legumes’ nitrogen-fixing roots and rhizomes provide to the grasses that share paddock soils with them. These grasses show both better overall growth – leaf development and edible parts – as well as higher nutritional quality of the grass as a whole when inter-seeded with legumes.

Seeding for conditions and emergence

Building an optimal seeding mix means utilising the tools and implements necessary to increase germination, emergence and development. Unlike many types of grass seeds, which can be established via aerial or land broadcast methods, legumes do best when direct seeded or drilled into a mixed grass-legume paddock. According to studies by the University of Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries , drilling seed in loamy soils improves emergence.

Additional benefits of direct drilling pastures include traffic-ability before and after seeding, more precise placement of seed, reduced weed competition, more precise control of sowing depth, and lower labour and implement costs.

For small farmers, utilising a narrow-transport seeder like the K-Line Crop Cadet when drilling grazing crops in pasturelands and forage paddocks provides additional benefits. Not only does the narrower transport provide better access to smaller roads, creek crossings and other grassland terrain challenges, but the Crop Cadet’s large seedbox allows longer planting times between box refills, improving efficiency and convenience.

As an Australian-designed and built machine, the Crop Cadet is better suited for tougher Australian soils and field conditions than machines built in New Zealand and for other overseas markets. The Crop Cadet also requires less horsepower for operation than many out-of-market competitors, improving functionality and ease of use and significantly decreasing cost of operation.

By understanding the importance of a diversified grassland mixture and the beneficial aspects of direct seeding of certain pasture crops like legumes via drill, graziers can introduce additional flexibility into their farm’s management systems and better optimise production.

Crop residue management is essential for maintaining soil health and crop productivity. Research has shown that managing crop residues can improve soil health by increasing soil organic matter, water holding capacity, and nutrient cycling (Mamo et al., 2019). In contrast, leaving crop residues on the soil surface can lead to reduced soil health by promoting erosion, weed growth, and pest and disease pressure (Staley et al., 2018).

Effective management involves incorporating crop residues into the soil. The Trashcutter^® and CropCadet^® machines from K-Line Ag are designed to help farmers manage residues effectively. The Trashcutter^® cuts and mulches residues, while the CropCadet^® cuts and chops crop residues into smaller pieces, making them easier to incorporate into the soil.

The Trashcutter^®: A Heavy-Duty Solution

K-Line Ag’s Trashcutter^® is a heavy-duty implement designed to cut, mulch, and spread crop residue. It features a high-speed rotating drum fitted with sharp blades to cut through tough crop residue like wheat and corn stalks. The Trashcutter^® is ideal for farmers who practice conservation tillage, as it can help reduce soil erosion and improve soil structure by incorporating crop residue into the soil. Research has shown that conservation tillage can improve soil health and reduce fuel consumption (Rusinamhodzi et al., 2011).

The CropCadet^®: A Unique Solution

The CropCadet^® machine is another innovative tool from K-Line Ag designed to manage crop residues and prepare the soil for the next planting season. It features a series of shallow discs that are angled to create a cutting edge. The CropCadet^® can be used to cut and chop crop residue into smaller pieces, making it easier to incorporate into the soil. It can also be used to prepare a seedbed for the next crop by breaking up clumps of soil and leveling the surface. By using the CropCadet^® machine, farmers can improve soil structure and prepare the soil for optimal planting conditions.

Benefits of Effective Crop Residue Management

Research has shown that incorporating crop residues into the soil can improve soil health by increasing soil organic matter, water holding capacity, and nutrient cycling (Mamo et al., 2019). Soil organic matter is a key factor in soil fertility and nutrient cycling, and it improves soil structure by increasing the stability of soil aggregates and improving water infiltration (Hati et al., 2006). A study conducted in India found that incorporating crop residues into the soil improved soil physical properties, increased soil water storage, and improved crop yields (Gupta et al., 2017).

In addition to improving soil health, managing crop residues can also help reduce pest and disease pressure. Crop residues left on the soil surface can provide a habitat for pests and diseases, which can then infect the next crop. Research has shown that managing crop residues can reduce the incidence of pests and diseases (Trenkel, 2010). For example, a study conducted in the United States found that managing crop residues reduced the incidence of soybean cyst nematode, a common pest that can significantly reduce crop yields (Giesler et al., 2015).

Further benefits of effective crop residue management include reducing the need for tillage. Excessive tillage can damage soil structure and reduce soil health. By incorporating crop residues into the soil using the Trashcutter^® and CropCadet^® machines, farmers can reduce the need for tillage, which can save time and money while reducing fuel input costs. A study conducted in Australia found that conservation tillage, which involves managing crop residues without excessive tillage, can significantly reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (Rusinamhodzi et al., 2011).

Reducing the Impact of Pests and Diseases

Effective crop residue management can help reduce the impact of pests and diseases on crops. Crop residues left on the soil surface can provide a habitat for pests and diseases, which can then infect the next crop. Managing crop residues by cutting, mulching, and incorporating them into the soil can reduce the risk of pest and disease contamination. A study conducted in Australia found that the incorporation of crop residues into the soil can reduce the incidence of root diseases in wheat crops (Kirkegaard et al., 2014).

Effective crop residue management can also improve soil health. Crop residues can contribute to soil organic matter, which is essential for maintaining soil fertility and nutrient cycling. Soil organic matter also improves soil structure, which is crucial for water infiltration and retention. A study conducted in the United States found that conservation tillage practices, which involve managing crop residues, can improve soil health and reduce the risk of erosion (Frye et al., 2012).

Reducing Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Effective crop residue management can also reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Tillage is a significant source of fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. By managing crop residues, farmers can reduce the need for tillage and save fuel. A study conducted in Australia found that conservation tillage practices can reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50% compared to conventional tillage practices (Rusinamhodzi et al., 2011).

Managing crop residues is critical for maintaining soil health and crop productivity. K-Line Ag's Trashcutter^® and CropCadet^® machines offer innovative solutions for managing crop residues effectively. Contact K-Line Ag for more information or speak to your local K-Line Ag dealer to arrange a demonstration and discover how these machines can benefit your farming operation.