Kverneland Headland News Issue 51

ISSUE 51

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KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

WELCOME

TO ISSUE 51

This issue arrives at a pivotal moment for UK agriculture. Farmers and contractors across the country are navigating a period of considerable uncertainty, shaped by changing support schemes, evolving environmental policies, volatile input costs from fuel and fertiliser suppliers, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Planning ahead has rarely been more complex, and confidence in long-term decision-making is being tested. In this challenging environment, adaptability and efficiency have never been more important. In this edition, we explore how practical innovation and reliable machinery can help bring a greater degree of control to day-to-day operations. From precision farming technologies that support smarter inputs, to equipment designed for consistency in demanding conditions, our focus is on helping you manage risk, while maintaining productivity. We also share insights and experiences from those finding ways to respond to this uncertainty—adjusting their systems, embracing new approaches, and investing where it matters most. Their stories reflect the resilience that continues to define UK agriculture. Headland News aims to provide more than product updates. It is a space where we exchange ideas, highlight real-world solutions, and support informed decision making in an ever-changing landscape. I hope this issue offers both practical value and reassurance, as you plan for the seasons ahead.

Dan Crowe Managing Director

IN THIS ISSUE...

SHOW DATES

6 EASY PLOUGHING

14 DOUBLING UP

ScotGrass 13 May – Slacks Farm, Lochmaben Cereals 10-11 June – Diddly Squat Farm, Chipping Norton Royal Welsh Grassland 12 June – Cwmbrynich Farm, Brecon Royal Highland Show 18-21 June – Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh Royal Welsh Show 20-23 July – Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells Dairy Day 16 September – Telford International Centre, Telford AgriScot 18 November – Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh

MJ Easey was one of the first to take delivery of the new 3400B shearbolt ploughs. 8 SMALL SEED SPECIALIST Norfolk grower chooses 24-row, three-bed Miniair Nova for onion crop . 12 HIGH ACCURACY SPREADING Switch to GEOSPREAD brought increase in spreading accuracy for Aberdeenshire farmer. 13 MOWING TO THE MAX A pair of 5387MT butterfly mowers boosts output in Lancashire .

South Yorkshire farmer doubles upon power harrow drill capacity . 17 EXTRA ROTOR BUYS TIME Twin rotor 9472C rake improves silage-making efficiency in Cornwall . 18 HIGH QUALITY RATION How a Kverneland Siloking twin auger machine has improved feed intake for one Herefordshire beef herd .

ISSUE 51

ALENTIX TO GET CEREALS LAUNCH

ONYX GETS SEED AND FERTILISER OPTIONS

Wraps will come off an all-new fertiliser spreader, the Alentix, at this year’s Cereals event being held at Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. The Alentix represents a new era in high-performance spreading, and is an all-new flagship model that sits above the Exacta TL. An Isobus machine, Alentix boasts a hopper capacity of up to 4,700 litres and a spread width capability of up to 54m. Hopper extensions are no longer bolted together, but clip together. Application accuracy is managed with the 4X weigh cells in combination with dual reference sensors. Available with mechanical pto or iDC drivelines, the Alentix brings several innovations to market. These include a two-piece spreading disc, which simplifies disc changes when moving between the different types of eight-vane disc now available; honeycomb profile hopper grids improve material flow; and Rapid Rate represents a revised aperture dosing system that provides faster regulation of application rates. In addition, the spreader’s rear cover can be folded down to create a walkway across the rear of the hopper, while an integrated quick-hitch makes coupling and uncoupling safer and easier.

Choosing the a-drill option affords factory integration for sowing cover crops between the rows of established crops such as maize. Hopper capacities can be either 200 litres or 500 litres, using electric or hydraulic distribution. In addition, the seed outlet can be positioned in front of the tines, or behind them, and paired with a finger harrow. Those seeking greater versatility can choose to have the Onyx equipped with up to two f-drill distribution heads, to support cover crop seeding and fertiliser application. Factory-fitted seed and fertiliser options are now available for the Onyx inter-row cultivator. These include the a-drill seedbox, or the f-drill distribution heads, with the latter being used in combination with the f-drill front hopper.

NEW DEALERS APPOINTED Used in combination with the f-drill front hopper, seed outlets can be either in front of, or behind, the inter-row tines – the latter being carried on a finger harrow. Fertiliser outlets are installed on lateral outlets, providing targeted placement, alongside the crop. These options are also available as retro-fit kits for existing Onyx customers who are looking to upgrade their establishment processes.

The Kverneland dealer network continues to evolve, and the latest appointments include the introduction of G&J Peck and Hall Agri , along with increased trading areas for existing dealerships Tuckwells and TH White. Welshpool-based Hall Agri is a new family-run dealership covering mid-Wales and the Welsh borders, run by Martyn Hall along with sons Edward and William. Hall Agri md Martyn Hall is likely to be a well-known name in the area and this

new business plans to bring back the trusted support that was provided by the Welshpool depot over many years previously known as Teme Valley Tractors, which was sold in January 2024. Cambridgeshire-based G&J Peck has added the Kverneland portfolio to its business for the Chatteris and Dereham depots, while long-standing dealer Tuckwells (pictured) now has Kverneland available from all its depots, which includes Sussex and Kent.

In addition, existing Kverneland dealer TH White has increased its coverage with the addition of a new depot at Knighton, Powys.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

BOLTS WITH BRAINS

With a new design of leg and shear bolt assembly, the new B-series shear bolt ploughs bring many changes to improve operator friendliness and in-field durability.

In addition to the proven Trailer Transport System (TTS), and a hydraulic rear depth wheel with its clever pivot that allows the wheel to hang in its working position as the plough rotates above it, the B-series gets a four-way combination adjuster for skimmers, plus colour-coded hydraulic hose grips marked ‘+’ and ‘-’ highlighting oil flow. The revised leg is of solid design, and is sandwiched onto the plough beam using two plates, known as the Sharp Shear System. Using two plates delivers a clean shear, cutting the bolt into three pieces, rather than stretching it or causing leg deformation under extreme pressure. QUALIDISC 1100L The Qualidisc 1100L is one for smaller powered tractors, needing just 45hp to operate. Two rows of 520mm diameter discs with maintenance-free bearings are arranged at 25cm row spacings, and receive the Qualidisc’s proven individual disc/arm mounting and overload protection. Rear cage roller options are 400mm or 500mm diameter, with upward folding available, which places the roller over the rear disc gang, shortening the 710kg, 1.75m version for transport. A wider 2.25m model is available.

It also means that the amount of force needed to break the shear bolt is now higher, and is typically 5,000kg for the 3400B, compared to 4,500kg on the LO. Models include the 2300B in-furrow plough from 3-5 furrows with a headstock rated up to 250hp; the 3300B, an in-furrow plough that extends from 4-6 furrows with a headstock suited to tractors up to 350hp; and lastly, the 3400B and 3500B which can operate on-land and in-furrow, and both are 5-7 furrow builds, with a headstock capable of handling up to 380hp. All have 80cm under beam clearance, and can be specified with either 85cm or 100cm point-to-point.

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GEOFORCE BRINGS AUTOMATIC COULTER PRESSURE TO OPTIMA SX To accommodate changing soil conditions, the Optima’s SX sowing units can be specified with GEOFORCE – a fully automatic coulter pressure adjustment mechanism. In use, each row is individually monitored and adjusted, on-the-move. This is achieved using a smart sensor and double-acting hydraulic cylinder that applies or releases pressure to the seeding unit, in response to working depth. As a result GEOFORCE offers a reduction in soil dozing and fewer seed losses, while delivering improved performance at higher speeds. MORE F-DRILL OPTIONS

The f-drill series continues to evolve, and alongside a host of upgrades is an all-new grain and fertiliser model. Called the f-drill CB F, this new 6m outfit can be used with grain and fertiliser, or two types of seed, when linked with the f-drill Plus front hopper equipped with dual Eldos metering units, and split capacity. Dual distribution heads, arranged one behind the other, handle placement of seed and fertiliser, using double entry coulters. This new folding coulterbar system is also available with a single distribution head, in 5m and 6m working widths.

In addition, a new hopper version called the f-drill Compact Plus, adds a split hopper to the dual Eldos metering unit format, suiting grain and fertiliser, or two seed types – rather than the Duo for half-width shut-off. The f-drill front hoppers can also be equipped with a weigh cell option. This can also be retro-fitted to existing combinations. A dual front camera system with a dedicated screen improves operator safety, while the hopper sieves have been revised, and are now lift-out pieces that are divided into four sections to simplify hopper cleaning.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

EASY PLOUGHING

Suffolk grower MJ Easey based at Hoxne, was one of the first to take delivery of the new range of Kverneland 3400B shearbolt ploughs, bought to replace an LO model.

position, compared to being sat on an angle, when working in-furrow.” “And ploughing on-land lets me make the most of GPS,” explains Liam. “The plough is set to a 3m working width, and I always leave a 12m headland, so it’s only four runs around to finish off. We run on a 32m tramline systems, and working this way means

Cultivation practices across the 2,100-acres it farms places great importance on the plough, as the farm seeks clean, level seedbeds from its soils which range from sand to heavy clay. Cropping includes sugar beet, winter wheat, winter barley, oilseed rape and spring beans. “Ploughing gives us a fresh start, and does a great job of aerating and levelling our soils, which gradually slump throughout the year,” says farms manager Ian Savage. “It’s an essential part of our cultivation practices with around half our acreage going across the mouldboards each season. The remainder is min-tilled.” The seven-furrow 3400B, supplied by local dealer Tuckwells, continues the farm’s on-land ploughing approach. Specification includes number 28 bodies, 100cm point-to-point clearance for increased trash clearance, hydraulic rear depth wheel and Kverneland’s innovative TTS – Trailer Transport System. “The 3400B is a better plough than our old model,” he says. “There’s double stays on all the mouldboards, a better push-pull framework for the hydraulic vari-width, and the central skimmer adjustment for each pair is brilliant.” Up front is an 8RX 370, with enough muscle to cover six acres/ hour working at a depth of 8in with a 17in furrow width, and operating at a forward speed of 8kph as operator Liam Baker, pictured, explains. “I only ever plough on-land even though this plough can be run in-furrow,” says Liam. “It’s a far more comfortable seating

I always pull through the headland tramline.” Liam reckons the 3400B is a big step forward.

“Number two and number six skims run behind the tracks, and not only is this a higher wear point on metal, but the skims need to be set deeper than the rest, to accommodate the tread marks,” he says. “With central adjustment, it’s very easy to do, and this helps to maintain a high-quality finish.” “There’s much more scope for adjustment,” he says. “I can almost keep the rear three furrows out of work, just by making the most of the hydraulic depth wheel.” With plough functions set-up on the tractor’s CommandPro joystick, Liam says headland turns are effortless. “I can lift the front, then the rear, which keeps headlands short and tight, and it’s the same when dropping back in,” he says. “And when it comes to transport, the 3400B follows like a trailer thanks to TTS and the rear wheel. It’s really safe, because there’s no swing-out when turning and it also keeps the weight off the tractor when running down the road.”

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Replacing one of its two, six furrow Kverneland ploughs with a nine-furrow PN has brought greater efficiency for Perthshire-based Fenton Farming. NINE FURROWS BRING GREATER EFFICIENCY

“We increased tractor horsepower, choosing a John Deere 8370R on 900-section tyres to replace a 7310R, which gave the opportunity to add more furrows,” explains Graham Fenton, pictured, with his brother Willie. “We did consider a 6300S, but the PN was far better value for money, and it also took us out of the furrow, ploughing on-land, which suited the bigger tractor’s wider tyres.” Based at Loanhead Farm, the family business extends to around 2,200 acres of which 1,500 is combinable, with the remainder growing potatoes. Seedbed preparation is split between deep cultivations and ploughing, with the latter accounting for the lion’s share of the workload. “With the output we can get from a total of 15 furrows, we can cover a lot of ground, though our remaining six furrow 3400S is more of a back-up,” he says. “The PN now does most of the ploughing, and being on-land, with guidance, the job is much more comfortable, and productive.” An 8+1 build using No.28 bodies and rear discs, the PN was supplied by Netherton Tractors, and is comfortably handled by the farm’s flagship 8370R. With field sizes from five to 115 acres and a mix of soil types across the farm, the brothers reckon the PN takes it all in its stride, with over 1,200 acres going over its boards since arriving at Loanhead Farm in September 2025. “We’ve just over 400hp available now, so this outfit does most of the work,” explains Willie. “With the depth wheel part-way up the frame, the manoeuvrability is great. This plough turns tightly on headlands, keeping downtime to a minimum.” Graham adds that the PN operates at a depth of 12in for potatoes, and 9in for cereals, with a manual furrow width set at 16in. “The quality of the finished work is superb,” he says. “The 28 bodies take some beating, and with our past experience of both Netherton and Kverneland, we're unlikely to go anywhere else for our ploughs.”

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

MINIAIR-NOVA ● Versatile for a large variety of fine seeds ● Consistent sowing depth ● Easy adjustment of the sowing depth via spindle ● Minimum row distance of 11cm ● Various coulters available

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“Last year’s crop was above expectations, which gave us the confidence to invest in a higher capacity planter, with a view to increase our acreage to a more commercially viable scale,” explains field manager David Cornwell, pictured with operator Stephen Wright. “It could have been beginner’s luck, but we had some great advice, and chose to make the most of it.” The triple bed planter was chosen for its capacity, with planting carried out ahead of Holkham Emerald commencing its large- scale potato growing operation. “The introduction of onions into our rotation has enabled us to get greater utilisation from our irrigation equipment, our fleet of de-stoners, bed tillers and bed formers that we already have for growing potatoes,” says David. “We’re operating on 72in track widths, which meant the planter’s sowing units needed to be tweaked so we could plant each bed with eight rows, 16.5cm apart.” The business operates on a wide variety of soils. A generous depth of top soil and its experience of growing, harvesting and storing potatoes has eased the step into onions, which will be topped, windrowed and lifted into trailers then cold-stored in readiness for distribution. “We hired a single bed Miniair from our agronomy company, so we could get to grips with the crop, before committing to higher output machinery.” Supplied by Irelands Farm Machinery, the mechanically driven, hydraulic folding planter has been used to sow onion seeds, with the aim of producing red and brown onions that can be harvested and stored on-farm, to supply to markets from December to June. “We’re applying the same amount of detail to our onion crop that we use for potatoes,” says David. “The devil is in the detail, and sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.” Achieving its establishment goal, the onion crop was sown over a 10-day period towards the end of March, into stone-free beds, with liquid fertiliser injected ahead of and below the seed. “We’ve been very pleased with the performance and accuracy of the Miniair,” he says. “Last year’s crop developed with a uniform canopy, which simplified harvesting. And following that trial with a hired-in Miniair planter, there was no reason to consider anything else for the task.”

SMALL SEED SPECIALIST

After hiring a single bed, eight-row Miniair Nova last year to assess the viability of adding onions to its rotation, Norfolk grower Holkham Emerald has up-scaled its operation for the 2026 season, and bought a 24-row, triple-bed version of the Kverneland Miniair Nova precision planter.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

OPTIMA V DELIVERS WITH SEED FLEXIBILITY

Looking for a one-drill-suits-all approach for maize, fodder beet and turnips, Scottish Contractor of the Year 2025, David Laird from Bellowbank Carbello Farm, Ayrshire, settled on a six-row Kverneland Optima V from local dealer J&S Montgomery.

“With electric seed metering on each row, and the ability to swap discs, we can use one precision drill for all our small seeds,” explains David Laird. “Myself and operator Ross Anderson could see how it would make us more efficient and also lead to delivering a better result for our customers.” With hydraulically adjustable row width, the six-row mounted Optima V can be used at 75cm spacing for maize, and 50cm spacing for turnips and fodder beet, as operator Ross Anderson, pictured, explains. “With automatic section control, the Optima has proved to be a very accurate machine, regardless of the seed type we use,” says Ross. “And the fertiliser placement is every bit as good as the seed placement too, which is also very important for our customers.” “Those double disc coulters do a superb job of opening the soil and dropping in fertiliser, while the steel press wheels that follow the seed placement, are the key to making sure we get fantastic seed-to-soil contact.”

“The germination and plant spacing we’ve experienced is absolutely superb, and it’s all shown on the in-cab screen,” says Ross. “There’s no guesswork, no doubles and no misses.” Ross says that to get the operational flexibility that the firm needed, the Kverneland drill factory in Soest, Germany, manufactured steel discs specifically to handle turnip seeds with the Optima V. “It takes about an hour to swap a full set of discs,” he says. “It’s really easy to do. And being an Isobus machine, it’s plug-and- play on my Fendt 718 Gen 6. Everything is on the control terminal for me to see, and I can choose to operate the drill based on seeds/hectare, or set the machine according to its row spacings. With wider rows, the gap between seeds down the row is tighter, to compensate.” “And as a six-row drill, this is an ideal match for our six-row beet harvester,” he adds. “It’s also very manoeuvrable, as I can just close the drill frame and go down the road. If we had more rows, we would lose operational flexibility. This is, by far, the best solution for the business.”

“There’s no guesswork, no doubles and no misses.” Ross Anderson, operator

ISSUE 51

CLEAN-UP ACT With an increasing number of herbicides being withdrawn for vegetable crops, Spalding, Lincolnshire-based PC Thorold has invested in a 6.4m Kverneland Onyx inter-row cultivator, with Lynx guidance interface, to carry out mechanical weeding in a wide variety of brassica crops.

Now in its second season, the machine has already covered over 4,500 acres of inter-row cultivation. “With camera guidance controlling the side-shift function and RTK for tractor positioning, this is proving an extremely accurate and effective means of dealing with any weeds in our crops,” explains farm manager Steve Mayfield. “We’ll run through crops two or three times, depending on the growth stages, and the results we’re getting are fantastic.” Steve says that the Onyx inter-row cultivator’s two forward- facing cameras are equipped with interchangeable coloured lenses, to suit different crops. “Changing camera lenses is essential if we’re to get the best from the machine, particularly when working with both red and green cabbage crops,” he adds. “It’s easy to do, and it does relieve pressure on herbicide use – it’s another very useful tool to have in our machinery line-up.” Supplied by Irelands Farm Machinery, the Onyx 3064F is configured to work a nine-row format with 60cm row spacings. Used with a front tank for liquid fertiliser placement, Steve says the combination is also improving application accuracy, which has become more viable given the rising cost of fertiliser. “We’ve been swapping row spacings to suit crops grown in 480mm and 600mm rows, but longer term, we may end up with a second Onyx,” he says. “We’re producing three crops in two years, and experimenting with different points and shares to match changing soil textures throughout the year. We have also introduced small ridging shares, so we can put more soil against the growing crop, to improve shielding through the winter.”

Steve has also added a six-furrow LO plough to the mix, complete with No.40 slatted boards and 100cm point to point clearance. “Effective weed control starts with the plough,” he says. “We have a lot of trash and stalks to deal with, so a clean seedbed with 100% trash burial and a well crumbled finish, also helps to manage our weed burden. And the LO gives us the finish we require.”

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

HIGH ACCURACY SPREADING

“The spreader is mind-blowing.” David Barclay, farmer

The switch to a Kverneland Exacta TL GEOSPREAD brought an increase in spreading accuracy along with a larger capacity hopper for GM Barclay & Sons, at Tullo and Townhead farms, Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire.

“We wanted to improve our spreading accuracy across the farm,” explains David Barclay, pictured, who farms alongside his brother Graeme, cousin Andrew, and their fathers Brian and Kenneth. “Switching to the Exacta TL GEOSPREAD introduced us to automatic section control, which has meant everything we now apply goes in all the right places.” The 2,000-acre family farming business grows a variety of cereals, potatoes, swedes, daffodils and grassland on the east coast of Aberdeenshire, with almost all its fields comprising gradients. “Many fields are quite steep, others are just gently rolling, so having a fertiliser spreader that can cope with this type of terrain is essential,” explains David. “Our preference is to tramline across the slopes, rather than work up and down – and it’s a process that lets us makes full use of the self-levelling capabilities of our two Hillmaster combines.” Now into its third season and operating on 32m tramlines in a range of field sizes from five to 135 acres, David says the GEOSPREAD functionality is a game changer for the business. “The spreader is mind-blowing,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how

steep the gradient, we no longer get any striping. And we’re constantly battling with on-shore winds, though it doesn’t seem to impact the spreader’s performance.” “We do buy good quality fertiliser, and then use the shaker box and the Kverneland spreading charts app to set the machine and simply drive,” he says. “It’s very simple to use and extremely accurate, even at speeds of up to 14kph.” Bought with an IsoMatch Tellus GO terminal, David says that mapping is viewed on the Tellus GO terminal, with the Isobus connectivity played out on the tractor’s terminal. Application rates extend from 100kg/ha when top dressing nitrogen, up to 1,000 kg/ha when preparing seedbeds for potatoes. “Those high rates meant we needed the maximum hopper size, using three extensions,” he says. “We also chose high-lift vanes to future-proof the spreader purchase, and our aim is to move to 36m tramlines when we change our drill from 4m to one with a 6m working width.”

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MOWING TO THE MAX With a focus on producing high quality forage for its 250-cow herd, Stanworth Agricultural based at Black Moss Farm near Preston, Lancashire, is geared up for dealing with tight weather windows.

“It’s all about the detail,” he adds. “We’re also focussed on safety and professionalism, and we’d like to develop the farm to be a centre of excellence for everything we do.” With a keen eye for detail, Ed says the simplicity of the mowers and their adjustability means stubble heights can be easily managed, along with achieving a clean cut to promote faster regrowth. “We’ll only mow what we can chop in a day, which is usually around 150-200 acres/day depending on how heavy the crop is,” explains Ed. “These mowers work well. They are very easy to use and they’re not heavy – they glide across our fields. And with hoods that afford swathing or spreading, we have versatility to suit the growing season, with every cut we take.” The farm is on a programme of continual expansion that should see its herd peak at 600 cows, making its current machinery investments lean towards future-proofing the business. “Taking up to four, 300-acre cuts means these mowers are not working very hard, so they’re a long-term investment, which will help to keep our operating costs low.”

Among its machinery fleet is a pair of Kverneland 5387MT butterfly mowers and a four-rotor Kverneland 95130C rake, essential components for its focus of being totally in control of silage making. “To keep our herd producing an 11,500-litre average, we need rations that include high quality forage at 30% dry matter,” explains farm manager Ed Swindlehurst. “So when it comes to silage, we don’t need mown grass sat on the ground for any longer than 24 hours.” With a view to working more efficiently and with consideration to staff welfare, Ed has invested in a pair of 5387MT butterfly units from Clarke and Pulman. “It’s vital that we can get over the work quickly and efficiently, without having to work extremely long days,” he says. “And that means having the capacity to get things done. So with two 8.7m triple mowers, we don’t have to start mowing too early, so we can let the sugars rise.” Just as important is not working long into the night just to make sure there’s enough grass down for the forager.

“These mowers work well. They are very easy to use and they’re not heavy – they glide across our fields.” Ed Swindlehurst, farm manager

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

F-DRILL ● Safe manoeuvrability due to even weight distribution ● Reduced soil compaction ● Long lifetime of the corrosion resistant plastic hopper ● Precise and intelligent seed application ● Reduced set-up time due to large hopper capacity ● Seed rate can be adjusted from the cab

There will always be a place for the power harrow drill combination in Bert Hollingworth’s shed. DOUBLING UP

“It’s such a versatile bit of kit, and our old 3m e-drill combi and front press was great after sugar beet and potatoes,” explains Bert Hollingworth of Hollingworth & Co. based at South Farm, Letwell, South Yorkshire. “But as our farming business has continued to grow, so too did the pressure on our 12-year old 3m combi – we needed a much bigger model.” For the 2026 season, the 4,000-acre operation has doubled its working width, replacing the trusty e-drill with a 6m Kverneland f-drill combination, using an Isobus-controlled Rotago F folding power harrow. Supplied by Farmstar, along with a 2,200-litre capacity f-drill Maxi Duo front hopper with dual metering units, the farm has the

drilling each season – 25% of the farm’s drilling workload, across a range of field sizes from three to 174 acres. “It’s easily a 10-15 year investment for us, and is a game changer for our business,” says Bert. “There is so much output and adjustability, that we can now use a power harrow combination with a high degree of efficiency. It’s no longer the slow, tedious job it once was. Choosing an Isobus controlled power harrow means we can independently vary the working depth of the rotors and the clod bar height, separate to the coulter depth and pressure.” With full RTK coverage across the farm for potatoes, the team applies the same levels of accuracy to its cultivations and drilling regime. “We’ll save a bit on seed by reducing overlaps, but the real efficiency comes from matching the power harrow to our soil depth,” he says. “We farm across a wide range of soils, and in those areas where top soil is thinly covering patches of limestone, or across stony banks, the harrow can be adjusted on the move.” “This capability means we can move less soil, and that translates into burning less fuel too, but without compromising on the results,” adds

capability for half-width auto shut-off across its 48 CX-II coulters, spaced at 12.5cm. Bert and operator Morgan Thickitt, pictured, reckon the 6m f-drill will handle close to 1,000 acres of

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Bert. “We had CX-II coulters on our old outfit, so we know how good they are at seed placement.” In the right conditions, operator Morgan Thickitt says the outfit can be run comfortably at around 10kph, and is regularly achieving an output of around 100 acres/day. “At that output, it’s only 10 days work, and it’s surprised us both that an Optum 300 can manage this 6m outfit with ease,” says Morgan. “It’s not often that 100% engine load is reached, and 75-85% is more the average. There’s also a temperature monitor on the power harrow, so I can also see how everything is running.” Morgan has high praise for the combination’s rear transport wheel, which carries much of the weight of the folding harrow and coulter bar, when travelling on local roads. “We’ve land that’s quite spread out, so the rear transport wheel has made this outfit very safe, and takes a lot of weight off the tractor,” he adds. “It’s a great idea to help manage the weight of larger kit like this.” Morgan says forward visibility isn’t an issue as the Maxi front hopper sits slightly lower than the tractor bonnet, and the front press wheel

assembly shares the hopper weight, and consolidates soil ahead of the power harrow. “When the Optum 300 is swapped for an Optum 340 model, we’ll gain 710 tyres over this tractor’s 650’s, spreading weight that bit better,” he adds. “With Isobus, it’s all run through the tractor terminal and is very easy outfit to use. With just a few taps on the screen, we can get so much more efficiency from this combi.”

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

MAKING HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES

For Dorset hay and haylage supplier Ridge Farm Fodder, output is the key to tedding. But it’s not about travelling fast – it’s about covering the ground efficiently.

“We need to move the crop quickly, to encourage faster drying, and that means having plenty of capacity to cover the ground, without driving too fast,” explains Jasper Gutteridge, pictured. “It’s why we have now added a 15m trailed Kverneland tedder to the fleet, so we can cover a lot of ground with each pass.” From 830 acres around Dorchester, the firm produces around 30,000 small bales, and a further 9,000 big square bales in a variety of sizes and lengths. Jasper reckons that over the last 10 years in business, weather patterns have become much less settled, and a lot more unpredictable along the Jurassic coastline, which in turn can cause havoc with his haymaking techniques. “It’s become very easy to make poor quality forage, but quite challenging to make high quality, premium forage,” he says. “So we’ve had to re-focus what we do and how we do it.” Equipped with 14 rotors and delivering an impressive 15.6m working width, the Pro Line 85156C trailed tedder has enabled that shift in focus. Supplied by C&O Tractors, it is one of two tedders used by Ridge Farm Fodder. The second machine is an eight-rotor, 9m Kverneland Pro Line 8590 model. “We replaced a smaller 7.6m-wide, six-rotor machine with the new trailed model, increasing our total working width from 16m to a generous 25m of tedding capability,” he says. “And it’s been a huge improvement for us.” “Now it takes much less time to cover the ground, so we’ve

trimmed wages and reduced our diesel bill while continuing to make high quality hay and haylage.” There is still efficiency gains to be had, as Jasper has yet to invest in GPS. “We do overlap, which is better than missing some of the crop – it all needs to be moved, and sometimes more than once,” says Jasper. “And I would have bought a second 15m machine, but we do have some awkward small shaped fields, where the eight- rotor model comes into its own.” “It’s quite advantageous to also use the smaller machine to move crop on the headlands and then keep the wider, trailed machine travelling straight up and down. We can ted over 30 acres in an hour without rushing.”

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Replacing a single rotor, side-delivery rake with a twin rotor Kverneland 9472C has saved time for one Cornish farming family when it comes to silage-making. EXTRA ROTOR BUYS TIME

“Instead of running up and down to put two single rows together, we can now create a good-sized swath in one pass,” explains Ben Symons, of Great Hammett Farm, St Neot near Liskeard. “It now takes us half the time to row-up our grass. And depending on whether we’re chopping or baling, the hydraulic swath width adjustment makes it easy to match our trailed forager’s pickup or make a wider swath for the baler.” The 250-acre family farm runs 220 head of cattle and a flock of 200 ewes, with grass, kale and turnips grown in rotation, along with a whole crop mix of spring barley and peas. “Home grown forage holds the key to profitability for us,” explains Ben, who farms with his mum, Jenny, pictured. “We have the kit and the labour to get the job done, taking two 50 acre cuts each year, along with 2-300 round bales that are baled and wrapped for us by a neighbour.” The decision to increase rake output was one not taken lightly.

“With some narrow lanes and high-sided verges to negotiate, we had to do a lot of measuring to make sure the rake would fit down the local roads,” he says. “We’ve had to reposition the lights to prevent them being damaged.” Supplied by Vincent Tractors, the 9472C’s rotors carry 11 tine arms with four tines per arm. Actively steered wheels and headstock geometry combines to deliver sharp 80- degree turns, and a working width from 6.2-7.2m brings operational flexibility. “The rake does a lovely job, and makes a fantastic swath, even with our whole crop mix,” he says. “And a neat, tidy swath is far more easily chopped by our forager.”

“The rake does a lovely job, and makes a fantastic swath, even with our whole crop mix.” Ben Symons, farmer

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

HIGH QUALITY RATION Ration quality is key to live weight gain for Herefordshire beef farmer Tony Raymond, pictured.

“If we can continue to make high quality silage and present it well, our cattle will devour it,” explains Tony Raymond. “This year, we’ve seen stock putting on 1.5kg/day, and it’s all down to a well-presented ration using good quality silage.” At Bower Brook Farm, Eardisley, Tony focusses on producing a range of forages for his 220 beef cattle. Each season, he aims to produce over 2,000 tonnes of silage comprising grass, whole crop barley and maize. The goal is to achieve heifer dead weights of around 320kg and 370kg for steers, all within a 10 to 12-month time frame. When the time came to replace its worn-out horizontal machine, Tony looked at the different options available and settled on a Kverneland Siloking twin auger machine from the TrailedLine 4.0 series, supplied

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4.0 PREMIUM ● Short mixing times and homogeneous mixing results ● Equipped as standard with SILONOX® Wear protection ● Robust and torsion-resistant hollow girder frame ● 4-planet gearbox ● A choice of hopper heights and tyres

by local dealer TH White of Hereford. “We wanted more capacity and better performance, but in a simple and straightforward package,” he says. “Overall width was important, as was a single axle design, to retain a high degree of manoeuvrability so we could just swing straight round at the end of every feed passage.” Specification for the 16 cubic metre capacity Premium 1814 model includes unloading doors on the off-side front and nearside rear. The TrailedLine 4.0 Premium also carries Silonox hardened steel on high-pressure wear points around door edges, tub risers, and floor plates in the door area, while a four-pinion planetary gearbox is part of the specification and is capable of handling high torque loads.

“There’s no doubt we’ve shortened mixing times with the Siloking machine,” he says. “Having two vertical augers does move the ration around the tub with ease, and it mixes very quickly. As soon as the last ingredient has been added, we can drive to the sheds and feed out – there’s no waiting needed, which reduces the risk of over-mixing.” “With this machine, we’re creating a lighter, fluffier ration that is no longer being sifted and sorted at the feed barriers, so it’s being eaten pretty quickly,” adds Tony.

KVERNELAND HEADLAND NEWS

This wear-resistant, stainless steel alloy has been added to high-wear areas of the hopper and the vertical mixing augers, to extend the service life of Siloking feeders. “We feed around 180 tonnes every day, with rations based on grass and maize silage, plus concentrates,” explains Miles Oakley. “Every day, we produce nine mixes for milking cow groups, two mixes for dry cows and three pre-mixes.” Supplied by Battlefield Machinery, the 30-cube twin auger, twin-axle feeder arrived on farm in October 2021. In little over four years of constant use, the Oakley Farming’s Siloking Premium 4.0 trailed 3022 model has mixed close to 300,000 tonnes of rations. “We’ve enjoyed some fantastic reliability from this feeder,” he says. “Yes, there’s been some wear and tear which is to be expected given the tonnages we mix, but overall we’re really pleased with the performance, productivity and feed ration quality.” SILONOX ADDS DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY For Miles Oakley of Shrewsbury-based Oakley Farming, choosing Silonox on his Kverneland Siloking feeder has resulted in greater reliability and durability for the daily feed requirements of his family’s 2,000-cow herd.

With a herd average of 12,600 litres, milk quality is achieving 3.6% protein and 4% butterfat. “Our objective is to provide a high-quality ration that delivers the same consistency with every mouthful for every cow, all day, every day,” he says. “And that’s right where we are.” Of the 180 tonnes mixed daily, Miles says 135 tonnes are discharged using the front cross-conveyor, with 45 tonnes of pre-mix emptied through the left-hand rear door. “Without Silonox, we would have had to endure a lot of downtime to repair and maintain high-wear areas,” says Miles. “It takes around five-to-six hours to feed our herd, so we just don’t have time to accommodate complex repairs. We’re better off with durability built-in.” With high resistance to corrosion, acid and chemical wear, Silonox delivers extreme resistance to mechanical wear from the physical mixing process. With high reliability and durability, the Oakley’s gained confidence to progress. And a 27 cubic metre Siloking self-propelled model will replace the trailed feeder in Spring 2026. Like the trailed 3022 model, it too will be given the Silonox treatment. “With a milling head that can start the processing, we’re looking for a yield increase from the switch to self-propelled, along with a reduction in feeding times,” he says. “We’ll be saving 2,200 hours/year on tractor hours, and our telehandler replacement policy should extend from two to five years.” Miles adds that the trailed machine isn’t yet worn out, and will be re-purposed on a smaller livestock unit on lighter duties. “While the service and support we get from Battlefield Machinery is fantastic, keeping our trailed machine as a back-up is a no-brainer, should we ever need it,” he says.

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HEADLAND NEWS APRIL 2026 Headland News is published by Kverneland Group UK Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means electronic, photographic, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of the publisher.

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