AGRONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF CONSERVATIVE...

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Jan 28 - 2022

AGRONOMIC ADVANTAGES OF CONSERVATIVE AGRICULTURE THROUGH UST SEEDER

Conservation farming is a method of cultivation characterized by a minimum alteration of the soil in order to preserve the structure and organic substance of the soil: the ploughing is replaced by superficial or non-working (also defined, direct seeding) which promote the natural mixing of earth layer by fauna, roots and other organisms. Soil fertility, given by nutrients and water, is managed through soil cover, crop rotations and weed control.

To protect the soil and contribute to the elimination of weeds, the soil is therefore permanently covered by residues and protective layers.
Conservation farming targets include the limitation of biodiversity losses and the progressive reduction of soil processing with the consequent reduction of manufacturing-related CO2 emissions.
 
WHY USE THE UST SEEDER?
The seeders of the UST series of Matermacc - Under Surface Seeding Technology - are built for sowing on unprepared land or on minimum tillage for cereals, rape, soya, fodder, catch crops.
The patented UST wing seeding element (UST) allows to obtain the seeding bed by raising a layer of soil that is deposited over the seed after the passage of the element itself. This technology ensures that the seed is deposited in the soil without contact with the crop residues present. In addition, the wings guarantee an effective action of mechanical weeding.
The seeding element keeps the crop residues on the surface so as to avoid contact with the seed within the furrow, allowing a rapid radical development of the sprout.
 
The following are the benefits of using a UST seeder:
- Reduction of soil disturbance by improving soil structure and increasing the mineralisation of organic matter and encouraging the development of beneficial soil organisms.
- Protection of soil against erosion and no waste of mineral nutrients.
- Increase soil water retention capacity.
- Nutrients available from the early stages of development resulting in a lower need for fertiliser at high crop levels.
- Better absorption of rain water and faster growth of crops.
- Effective mechanical control of weeds.
 
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES COMPARED OF DIREKT SEEDING WITH DISC ELEMENTS?
 
Lower power used and reduced consumption
With the same working width, the type and number of extracting elements used on the UST seed drill require less traction power. Reducing working time and the power required for traction results in significant reductions in fuel consumption.
 
Parts subject to wear and tear
The UST elements are few, easy to replace and economical, while in traditional seed drills, the complex disc system involves numerous parts subject to wear out and tear that require more maintenance.
 
At the agronomic level
The cultivation of the surface layer of the soil, similar to an intervention of weeding, devitalizes the weeds and interrupts the capillary rise of water from the deeper layers of the soil. This does not happen with direct-seeding systems that are using discs.
 
ARE THERE ECONOMIC BENEFITS FROM USING THE UST SEED DRILL?
 
Time
The time saved has always resulted in money: eliminating processes such as ploughing, harrowing, passages with disc harrows, and generally the preparations of the soil for sowing, means saving 90% of the time compared to traditional processing.
Time saved compared to conventional seeding*:
Conventional seeding    
Time per hectar: 100 minutes  
Under surface seeding with UST  
Time per hectar: 10 minutes 
 
Cost
Cost savings compared to conventional seeding*:
The estimated saving per hectare is EUR 90.
Conventional seeding    
Cost per hectar: 113 euro 
Under surface seeding with UST
Cost per hectar: 23 euro 
 
Spare parts
The UST seeder has a very low maintenance cost per hectare thanks to the very few
Wear-and-tear parts. Replacement costs are 50% less than a conventional disc machine.
 
Versatility
The versatility of the UST allows to sow most of the existing crops such as soya, cereals, rapeseed, cover crops; for this reason it can be defined as a universal seeder. The distance of the spacing can vary with multiples of 15 cm.
 
*EU data on hourly labour and fuel costs
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