Since then, the Aurock seed drill has enabled farmer Martin Lines to transfer to a no‐till system. His use of cover crops in‐between cash crops has allowed him to reduce the use of crop protection products and improve the biodiversity of the soil on his fields. Martin Lines achieves higher yields with significantly less effort and cost.
Proactive engagement with progressive farmers is an integral part of the market communications strategy of Kuhn Group in the UK. This can involve collaboration on the development of new machines or working with leading farmers as products are fine-tuned prior to their full market launch.
Cambridgeshire arable farmer Martin Lines is a good example, being one of the first to trial the Aurock drill in the UK. He is on a journey to build a more sustainable business. His focus is on improving soils through reduced tillage and the widespread use of cover crops.
Back in 2018, Martin Lines was on a quest for a drill to work in zero-till conditions and cope with significant cover crop residues. Responding via Twitter, Kuhn first alerted the farmer to the Aurock when it was still in the development phase.
“The Aurock ticked every box on my list, and others I hadn’t considered,” he said. “One thing I’d been seeking was a drill that could cope with cover crop destruction, pulverising it to create ‘soil armour’ but without moving soil, stopping both rain impact on soil and evaporation from it, while also suppressing weeds.”
The farmer’s overall shift in strategy includes adopting late autumn drilling and spring cropping and ceasing to move soil at establishment. As a result, he’s seen blackgrass levels in most of his fields reduced dramatically.
“Meanwhile, we’ve saved considerably on plant protection products, good yields have been sustained and we’ve maintained strong gross margins on the wheats. We’re covering the same land in fewer hours, having saved as much as six weeks autumn work, for less expenditure and no yield penalty.”
Story from the sustainability report 2019