Our reduction in soil tillage and therefore reduction of soil disturbance or movement, began about 25 years ago when we stopped using a plough to turn the soil on the farm’s arable land.  At that time, we invested in a Simba Freeflow drill followed by an Amazone Primera drill both of which required minimum or no tillage before planting the crops.

Terminology such as conservation tillage, no-till and zero-till generally describe seeding systems which cause the least amount of soil disturbance and retain the most soil coverage from previous crop residues.

In order to reduce soil disturbance still further across the farm we took delivery of a Horsch Avatar direct-drill last month.  

The drill has single discs which create a narrow soil opening or slit, causing minimal soil disturbance and planting seeds directly into stubble; these hydraulically adjustable coulters provide consistent seed depth and a closing wheel which gently closes the slit in which the seed has been placed.

Seed placement is more precise which should improve crop emergence when other elements such as moisture are correct when drilling.

The Horsch Avatar will reduce soil disturbance, eliminate erosion and help the soil retain water, rainfall and higher levels of nutrients, reducing the use of other machinery, soil compaction and fuel and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Zero tillage drilling with the stubble retained after the previous harvest, helps to improve soil by increasing biological activity, soil structure and fertility and with less traffic and compaction of the soil, less labour, machinery and fuel per hectare the sustainability of the farm will improve further.

The purchase of the zero tillage direct drill has been grant aided by Rural Surrey LEADER and The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.