Modern Stubble Management: Considerations and Machines Solutions

Effective stubble management is a crucial aspect of modern farming, impacting soil health, pest control, and preparation for subsequent crops.

Immediate Post-Harvest Stubble Management

The period immediately following harvest is critical for effective stubble management. Here are key techniques to consider:

Combine Cutting Strategies

The way your combine handles crop residue significantly impacts your stubble management approach:

• Row-forming combines: Some combines create neat rows of harvested crop residue, facilitating easier baling. This method results in cleaner stubble fields with minimal loose residue.
• Standard cutting combines: If your combine simply cuts the crop, leaving significant chaff on the ground, you'll need to focus on incorporating this stubble. Using a cultivator to chop and mix the stubble creates a good tilth layer, which is an essential first step in stubble management.

Blackgrass Control Through Stubble Management

Blackgrass control is a key benefit of effective stubble management:

• Employ a short disc cultivator (e.g., Väderstad Carrier, Horsch Joker, or Simba X-Press) immediately after combining.
• This process helps germinate blackgrass seeds and other weed seeds present in the stubble.
• Once grown, these can be sprayed off before the next cultivation and drilling cycle.

This approach turns stubble management into an effective weed control strategy.

Weather Considerations in Stubble Management

Weather conditions should inform your stubble management decisions:

1. In cases of prolonged rainfall, leaving stubble intact can be beneficial.
2. Untouched stubble helps maintain soil structure, preventing the "pudding-like" consistency that can occur if wet, incorporated stubble is left over winter.
3. This approach preserves options for both winter and spring cropping, depending on how weather patterns develop.

Seedbed Preparation Through Stubble Management

For farmers looking to quickly transition to the next crop:

1. Stubble incorporation is the first step in creating an optimal seedbed.
2. Even when planning to direct drill, some level of stubble management is often necessary to invigorate the soil.
3. Over half of farmers work on stubble management immediately after harvest, highlighting its importance in the farming cycle.

Stubble Management in Different Farming Methods

Stubble management approaches vary based on overall farming methods

• Traditional Methods: Plough machines remain an effective stubble management tool, especially in blackgrass-prone areas. It completely buries stubble and weeds, followed by power harrowing to prepare the seedbed.
• Minimum Tillage (Min-Till): Direct drilling into stubble minimises soil disturbance. For tougher stubble or harder ground, a pass with a subsoiler (e.g., Sumo Trio or Dalbo Supermaxx) may precede drilling.

Popular Stubble Management Machines

August is a peak month for stubble management across Europe. Key machine categories include:

Short Disc Cultivators:

• Väderstad Carriers - The Väderstad Cultivator 5M, with its 5-meter working width is a great cultivator for larger farming operations. It offers a great balance between high work rates and thorough soil cultivation
• Simba X-Presses
• Horsch Jokers 3CT Short Discs 3m - is a specialised cultivator designed for efficient stubble management and soil preparation. As a short disc cultivator with a 3-meter working width, it is ideal for medium to heavy soils, offering a balance between thorough soil working and manageable power requirements for smaller to medium-sized farming operations.
• Köckerling Rebels – The Köckerling Allrounder 1200 Cultivator 12M these machines are known to be particularly effective on medium to heavy soils. These attachments typically feature a combination of tines and discs, allowing for efficient stubble incorporation and seedbed preparation while maintaining soil structure, which makes them ideal for farms practicing conservation tillage or those dealing with varying soil conditions across their fields.

These machines excel at chopping and incorporating stubble with their two rows of discs and packer.

Primary Cultivators:

• Horsch Terrano & Tiger
• Simba SL
• Gregoire Besson Discordons

These are suitable for more intensive stubble management and soil preparation.

Tined Harrows:

• Weaving stubble rakes and Claydon straw harrows for spreading trash and reducing slug populations.
• The Mzuri Rezult, featuring cultivation discs, is particularly effective on lighter soils.

Selecting the Right Stubble Management Equipment

There are a few things that farmers should consider when selecting the right stubble management equipment.

Machine Width Considerations

The choice of stubble management equipment width depends on:

• Farm size and field dimensions
• Access road width
• Local infrastructure (e.g., narrow lanes in Cornwall vs. wider access in Lincolnshire)

Matching equipment size to your specific conditions ensures efficient stubble management operations.

Tractor Power Requirements

Ross Ellis provides insights on matching tractors to stubble management equipment:

"Väderstad Carriers are relatively light on power requirements. A 6.5m carrier typically needs 200hp, increasing to 250hp in hilly areas. Tined machines often require more power, with a 200hp tractor typically limited to a 4m working width. Maintaining forward momentum is crucial for effective stubble incorporation, aiming for a 'rolling boil' soil action rather than just ripping up chunks."

This advice highlights the importance of aligning your tractor's capabilities with your chosen stubble management approach.

Stubble Management Equipment Solutions from AMTEC

AMTEC offers flexible solutions for farmers' stubble management needs:

"We offer week-long trials of stubble management equipment. This allows farmers to test machines on their own land without the risk of depreciation on a large purchase. It's an excellent way to ensure you're using the right tool for your specific stubble management needs."

Benefits of hiring stubble management equipment

1. Try before you buy
2. Avoid depreciation costs on purchased machinery
3. Access specialized equipment for short-term stubble management tasks
4. Flexibility to adapt your stubble management approach seasonally

While borrowing equipment from neighbours is common, stubble management often requires simultaneous use across farms. Hiring provides a solution to this peak demand, ensuring you have the right tools when you need them most for effective stubble management.