This interview was brought to you in partnership with Carrfields Machinery.

Successful spring crop establishment is decided well before planting day, Carrfields Precision & Technology Manager Paul Collins says.

“Planting or drilling, of course, is the final step in the process,” he says.

“It’s everything that goes in front of it that really matters, be it soil structure, soil moisture, damage from paddocks from overgrazing, and maybe even residue management.”

Get the fundamentals right without expecting the drill to perform miracles, and every seed has the best chance to develop into a healthy plant.

He says spring is unpredictable, with rising soil temperatures but variable moisture, and after a wet winter opening soils up to dry can be the priority. In a catchy season, farmers need to move quickly.

“Patience, I often feel, is underrated and a very underutilised skill.

“Having the right machinery set up well and observing helps farmers make the most of short windows when conditions are ready to go.”

Every pass across a paddock costs time, fuel, and moisture, and less disturbance often protects soil biology, structure, and drainage while retaining it if conditions turn dry.

“The perception of a perfect or ideal seedbed can be a bit hazardous, and we’ve often seen a number of crops that get to be re-drilled in the spring because the soil has been overworked.”

A solid assessment of ground conditions comes first, covering grazing history, stock or vehicle damage, drainage and waterlogging, and not everything shows on the surface.

“The good old high-tech tool, the spade, is extremely useful.”

A penetrometer helps identify compaction and at what depth.

He says much compaction is shallow, often 100 to 150mm down, and is caused by stock over winter.

“I think there’s a tendency to assume that it’s always a deeper problem.”

A subsoiler fitted with a roller loosens it at the target depth while creating minimal surface disturbance.

“A lot of people spend a lot of money on equipment, which is a big capital cost these days, and often don’t spend the time to ensure that it’s correctly set up for the conditions.”
Working depth, tyre pressures, downforce, seed rate, and calibration all make a difference before heading to the paddock.

Collins says the priority now is to plan ahead, servicing machinery early and treating each paddock on its own merits rather than waiting until the drill is being hitched to the tractor.

This interview was brought to you in partnership with Carrfields Machinery. Whether it is cultivation equipment, seeding machinery, machine setup, or talking through different establishment options, Carrfields are happy to have that conversation before the season gets busy. Carrfields can offer market-leading equipment solutions such as HORSCH, Grange, Novag, Stocks and Manitou to meet the crop establishment needs of livestock and arable farmers. Whether it is machinery, grain and seed, livestock or financing, Carrfields can help. For more information, visit Carrfields.

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