With record stubble volumes still lying on the ground, it is timely to consider the alternative stubble handling techniques. Large volumes of stubble exist this year due to the wet growing season and farmer practices developed over the last twenty or so years. Typically, there was not much stubble and coping was not much challenge for the tined machines. Further, with the development of independent openers and the ensuing extra obstacles associated with them, it is now even more difficult for the tined machines.
As I travelled between Forbes and Melbourne last week, I was amazed at so much stubble being burned off. Many paddocks were still ablaze and the smell of burning stubble was present over the whole trip.
I thought to myself, these people need disc machines to stop this burning and retain the trash. Most farmers will agree that it is desirable to retain the stubble but I guess if they have a tine machine they have no option but to burn it, at least that is what I was thinking on my way to Melbourne.
On my return trip, it was raining and of course the stubble burning had stopped and I go to thinking, what if it keeps raining and it is too wet to burn the stubble? What alternatives do the farmers have? After all, some of the paddocks are still carrying heavy stubble and a tined machine would have no chance of getting through it.
The only sure way to get through the stubble in all conditions is to use a disc planter. During my trip, I attended a demonstration day at Elmore and the Elmore Machinery Field Days committee prepared a heavy down stubble paddock . The tined machines did not attempt to plant through the stubble and we were the only ones to successfully plant into the down stubble.
Farmers have been warned for years about impending bans on burning stubble, we have been told that it is coming and preparations should be made. Yet, there are very few farmers using disc machines, many are talking about using them but few have taken the next step and actually purchased a disc machine.
I believe there are a number of reasons for this including the following;
1 Low residue levels over the last twenty or so years
The low residue levels have gone for now and leaves the broad acre farmer with a problem that he has not encountered for years. The general consensus is that high stubble levels are likely to be with us for some years.
2 High capital investment
It is true that disc machines are more expensive but tined machines have almost caught up with some now costing more than discs for the same width. With the productivity of the Bullet being up to twice that of tines, a forty foot Bullet for example should be compared to an eighty foot tined machine.
3 Perception that discs will not do the job
When discs first hit the marketplace twenty five years ago, they had many problems especially leaving the trench open and the failure rate of bearings was prohibitive. Although the technology has improved and most disc manufacturers have solved these problems, farmers have long memories and it has taken a new crop of farmers to take on the challenge.
However, many farmers now accept that they will own a disc machine one day.
