Operational analyses and model comparison of machinery systems for reduced tillage

Arable farming is searching for ways of reducing inputs of resources in the highly competitive world market of plant production. Also, there is a need to ease the impact of peak-load periods in the autumn due to the establishment of winter crops, by applying low-input and high-capacity machinery systems. These demands may be fulfilled by the adoption of modern techniques and methods of reduced tillage. Operational performance data and resource input involved with the newest types of stubble cultivators and seed drills are lacking. Generalised task models integrating parameters derived from farm studies were used to evaluate the operational performance and operations costs of the range of operations involved with crop establishment. By applying the models to a number of machinery systems and tillage scenarios, the operational competitiveness of including the newest types of stubble cultivators and seed drills was indicated. Simulations showed that in the case of reduced tillage the energy input was reduced by 18–53% compared with conventional soil tillage, depending on the methods and techniques used. Direct drilling reduced the energy input by 75–83% and labour demand and CO2 emissions would be reduced by approximately the same percentage. Based on model comparisons, reduced tillage with no ploughing as part of the crop establishment and plant care caused 25–41% reductions in the cost per hectare compared with traditional methods. These cost reductions required full capacity utilisation, as lesser utilisation would increase unit costs.