AQUEEL AWARDS
SIMBA’s revolutionary Aqueel roller has scored a notable award double – taking a Silver Medal in the RASE’s Machinery Awards Scheme, and also winning the increasingly important Sustainability Award under the same scheme.
The RASE awards are the top machinery awards available, as they are only made to machines that have proved their capabilities in the field – the judging process includes farmer interviews, so judges get a ‘warts and all’ view of each machine.
A Silver Medal indicates that the implement to which it is awarded includes a significant new design feature – something that is most certainly true of the Aqueel! In their citation the RASE judging panel commented:
“The majority of users consulted were on the lighter lands and growing mainly potato and vegetable crops. They used the Aqueel to give good soil firming without the excessive action of some steel rollers on fragile soils, to conserve water (both irrigation and rainfall), and reduce wind and water erosion. The self-cleaning and reduced draft gave quality and uninterrupted work over a wide range of soil conditions.
“Other users were on heavier land, were growing combinable crops, and did not have erosion problems. They had been looking for an alternative to steel and tyre-packer systems, and benefited from the versatility and low down-time of the self-cleaning Aqueel”.
MANY farmers now broadcast oilseed rape off cultivators. While it is the cheapest way of establishing this crop, Simba thinks a little more thought, care and attention could reap significant benefits, and is tackling the issue on two fronts:
First, we are running a set of large scale plots comparing various different methods of establishing the crop. Keep an eye on this site as results will be published as soon as they are known.
Secondly, at Cereals 2006 we will be launching a range of seed distribution equipment for use with out Solos and trailed/mounted X-Presses, as well as a range of new following harrows for use behind our cultivators. These will create enough soil movement to ensure spread seed is covered effectively and has the right conditions in which to germinate.
This new equipment will also be displayed at the Royal Highland Show, the Royal Show and this autumn’s Tillage events.
ONE farmer who has demonstrated how well distributing the seed in this way works is Mike Ashby, who farms near Oundle, Northamptonshire.
Mike hit the headlines last year for winning the Advanta Milling Wheat Challenge with an 11.37 tonne/hectare crop of Solstice (that all made milling quality) sown into a seedbed created by a CultiPress and Solo. Well that’s the benefit of giving a crop a good start!
Sadly we chose the dreariest day of the year to take a group of 14 Hungarian farmers to see his crop. They were all existing or potential Simba customers, and were touring the UK to see how British farmers use the equipment. They were very impressed with both his oilseed rape and his wheat – although less enamoured by the wonderful British weather.
SMALLER farms now have as much chance to use reduced tillage systems as their larger cousins have enjoyed for some years, consultant Colin Stride of Stride Forward told the latest of our dealer seminars, held by Peacock & Binnington, our dealer for North Lincolnshire.
In a wide ranging talk – in which he also discussed the importance of good soil management – Colin highlighted the value of the smaller equipment that Simba has introduced in recent years:
“In the past smaller farmers could not afford to switch and re-equip, but that has changed. New tools are available, like the mounted X-Press and ST bar, the smaller Terrano cultivators, and single and double DD ring presses and the Aqueel and CCR rollers.
For a full report on his talk – including some thought-provoking figures on the extent of financial savings smaller scale farmers might make – please refer to the FULL MEETING REPORT in the News section of SIMBA.co.uk.
AT THE same event John Duffy, grain trading director of Frontier, highlighted the opportunities for farmers to enter into contracts to supply crops for both bioethanol and biodiesel production, pointing out that – to produce everything we need in the UK – these crops would cover 130,000 hectares.
Those attending the meeting reckoned that another customer bidding for their crops is really good news!
MEANWHILE the new equipment introduced at last year’s Cereals event continues to help Simba achieve sales in regions where it never has before – Truro Farm Machinery – our Western-most dealer – has sold a Pronto DC (paired with a Cultipress) to the Denning family for use on their organic farm just at Probus, to the East of the town.