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 use of cropping tools and implements can provide farmers and graziers numerous benefits as well as more flexible management of their operations.
Getting an optimal seeding mix for grazing means using 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 trafficability 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, using 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.
For more information visit www.k-line.net.au/blog
