Marking the first opportunity to see kit in the flesh for quite some time, this year’s Cereals Event is brimming with new launches and working demonstrations, giving visitors the chance to see the latest innovation in action. CPM finds out more.
By Charlotte Cunningham
For many in the arable industry, the last time we were able to get a ‘kit fix’ was at LAMMA 2020 – some 18 months ago now thanks to COVID-19 putting a long-lasting stop to all events.
But with the almost-return of normality, growers will once again get to see all of the latest and greatest innovation in the flesh at this month’s Cereals Event.
So what’s on the line-up?
Amazone
After 18 months of virtual machine introductions, this year’s Cereals Event will provide Amazone with the opportunity to show off a range of new products and innovations for the first time. This plethora of new kit includes seed drills, catch crop seeders, self-propelled sprayers, cultivators, power harrows and spreader upgrades.
Among this will be the public unveiling of the new Pantera 4504 self-propelled sprayer which Amazone claims is designed to set new standards in precision plant protection application and ease of operation. “This new generation focuses on increased work rates and reducing the workload on the driver. The new in-house operating system, modified spray agent liquid circuit and changes to the operator station offer significant added value,” says Simon Brown, managing director at Amazone.
Also on stand will be the new Cenio 3000 mulch cultivator, which growers can see working later in the year at Tillage-Live. The Cenio is aimed at the smaller tractor with its shorter, lighter execution making the tractor lift easier.
With 30cm tine rows and a maximum working depth of 25cm, the Cenio keeps the three-row tine layout of the Cenius but has one less tine and a maximum working depth of 5cm less. The rear levelling discs or paddles back-fill the tine action to ensure a level finish before being consolidated by the following roller.
The Cenio range is available in 3m, 3.5m and 4m rigid mounted models.
Also set for its debut is Amazone’s GreenDrill 501 universal catch crop seeder box.
The GreenDrill 501 is suitable for sowing catch crops, fine seeds, undersown crops and spreading micro-granules, pellets and micro-fertilisers in combination with either the trailed Amazone soil tillage range or the Cirrus trailed drill combination, explains Simon. “The 500-litre capacity, plastic seed hopper can easily be accessed using steps and a platform for rapid seed filling and has a screw lock to protect the contents against dust and moisture. The seed hopper has a fill level sensor that can be mounted in two positions and, in the bottom, a protective sieve in order to protect the hopper from foreign bodies.”
Cereals will also be an opportunity to see the new three-point linkage mounted, high-speed Precea precision air seeder.
Its over-pressure singling system is perfect for sowing row crops such as maize, soya, sunflowers, beet, rape or sorghum, notes Simon. “On the stand will be the variable sowing width Precea 4500-2CC VT equipped with the rear fertiliser hopper for under-root fertiliser application. The wider, folding eight-row Precea 6000-2FCC offers increased fertilisation efficiency by utilising the FTender front tank.”
The singling system in the Precea is based on overpressure. The seed hopper and the entire metering unit are pressurised by a blower fan.
“The seed is fed from the seed hopper to a singling disc, which then hermetically seals the metering unit as the seed is pressed onto the holes in the disc. Precise singling is then ensured via the following three stripper fingers,” says Simon. “The seed then reaches the propulsion channel, where the contact pressure is stopped and the grain is shot precisely into the seed furrow and caught by the catcher roller.
“An optical sensor closely monitors the singling process and reports any misses or doubles to the tractor terminal. The stripper system can then be easily adjusted. Fully automatic, electric stripper finger adjustment via SmartControl is another positive development step.”
John Deere
A handful of John Deere’s precision ag technology solutions for arable farmers and contractors will be featured on stand at this year’s Cereals, alongside its latest new products.
Among these, and making their event debut, are the 7R 350 and 8RX four-track tractors, while the R740i trailed sprayer and Mazzotti MAF 4080 self-propelled sprayer with 36m boom can be seen in the Sprays & Sprayers demonstration arena.
Built in a compact frame for easy manoeuvrability in the field, the 8RX Series has been developed with the aim of maximising soil protection without compromising tractor performance, says Deere’s Chris Wiltshire. “Following a series of dealer roadshows, individual customer demonstrations and virtual events in 2020, the 8RX has proved to be extremely popular with UK farmers and contractors, who have recognised and experienced its successful combination of soil preservation with greater productivity.”
Also featured for the first time at Cereals 2021, Chris says the flagship X9 combine represents the next level of John Deere harvesting performance to help large-scale farmers achieve more tonnes per hour and more ha/day – specifically in tough, high yielding, wet conditions. “The X9 1100 can harvest wheat at an impressive 100t/hr at less than 1% grain loss.”
An 8RX tractor and ExactEmerge planter combination were featured in a virtual John Deere display at the US Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January.
In the lead up to this year’s show, the new X9 Series combines were recognised in the Robotics category of the 2021 CES Innovation Awards. This was the second year in a row John Deere had received the award, after the 8RX tractor was honoured in the ‘Tech for a Better World’ category in 2020.
These awards recognise outstanding product design and engineering in technology products that impact society and the world in a positive way. The X9 Series combines also received a 2021 AE50 Award for outstanding innovations that improve production agriculture.
Featuring the stepless AutoPowr transmission as standard, and a feature of this year’s event, the new top of the range 7R 350 tractor develops up to 388hp with Intelligent Power Management, adds Chris. “With a minimum shipping weight of only 11.4t, this latest 7R Series model boasts an impressive power to weight ratio of just 29kg/hp. Upgrades include a new luxury cab with top-quality massage seat, the CommandPRO joystick and enhanced Precision Ag technology features.”
Especially now, John Deere says it sees the future of farming in connectivity that makes the most of machine, field and agronomy data in the decision-making process and provides full control of the production chain.
As such, the company is pioneering the use of such data based around the new MyJohnDeere.com website portal and proactive Connected Support systems, to provide increased uptime, higher performance and reduced operating costs.
“Investment in a premium connectivity package can provide average savings of up to £48/ha,” says Chris. “These figures can typically be achieved through a combination of increased productivity and machine efficiency, consistent accuracy, less wear and tear on equipment and typical fuel savings of 10-15%, as highlighted by the recently expanded Fuel Guarantee programme.”
The John Deere Operations Centre in MyJohnDeere.com serves as the central online location for users to safely and securely connect to their machines and fields. Additional support is available from third-party implement manufacturers, input suppliers, software companies and service providers such as crop advisors and other specialist consultants.
In addition, with the newly simplified, free of charge Operations Centre mobile and web versions, users can view, manage and analyse all their operations from any location.
Precision and intelligent technology are also incorporated in the mid-range R740i trailed sprayer. This 4000-litre capacity machine offers boom widths from 18 to 30m, with premium features including a new multi-functional control lever, the Solution Command operator station and the proven PowrSpray dual-circuit solution system. This reduces filling times, improves spray application and increases accuracy.
“This new sprayer is also available with a closed transfer system (CTS)-ready option, and can be equipped with an individual nozzle control (INC) system,” says Chris. “This electronic solution allows customers to save up to 5% of the cost of plant protection products.”
Opico
UK distributors, Opico, are set to launch HE-VA’s Top Cutter Solo at this year’s Cereals.
Aimed at both conventional and organic farmers, HE-VA’s Top Cutter Solo is the stand-alone version of HE-VA’s existing Top Cutter range of integrated vegetation and stubble control machines. It is designed to roll, cut and bruise cover, catch crops and vegetable crops in a form of mechanical destruction, thus reducing the reliance on herbicides.
Maize stubbles also benefit from this process by reducing the burden of the maize boring worm and fusarium, helping to reduce reliance on pesticides, says the firm’s Glenn Bootman.
“The standard twin rotor machine is front mounted, although it can be supplied with an optional 3-point kit to mount it on the rear of the tractor. Being front or rear mounted, it can be used independently or in conjunction with a cultivator or drill.
“When the Top Cutter Solo is front mounted and is being used in conjunction with a rear-mounted machine, it has the benefit of lying down the crop in the direction of travel to assist the working of the following machine.
“As we all know, one pass systems have the economic benefit of time and fuel savings, as well as minimising compaction with reduced traffic, helping to conserve the integrity of the soil.’
A robust headstock and main frame hold the rotors in place and each rotor is mounted on rubber suspended arms to reduce shock loading and increase longevity, while a steel canopy covers the rotors for safety protection, as well as reducing the potential for crop and soils being thrown onto the tractor.
The individual rotors are 400mm in diameter, each with six blades mounted in a spiral formation to give a smooth, even rolling radius. “The inherent rotary action means a low hp requirement is needed,” he adds.
Opico will also be using the event to showcase Sky’s 8m EasyDrill in the UK for the first time.
The W8020 Fertisem EasyDrill follows the same exacting standards and design principals as the 4m and 6m pneumatic drills – sharing the same coulter line, multi hopper capacity and sophisticated electronic system.
The 8m EasyDrill delivers for the larger acreage farm, where higher Hp tractors are generally available from previous crop establishment systems,” says Glenn. “The additional width allows a higher work rate for this most versatile of drills.”
With up to four hoppers, and the ability to drill product at two different depths, accurate placement of multiple combinations of seed and/or fertiliser at two different depths is possible. “Separating the placement depth of seed and fertiliser increases the efficacy of applied nutrients and eliminates the risk of shoot burn with certain fertilisers.
“The main hopper is split between grain and fertiliser, each with its own pneumatic distribution. In addition, the option of up to two separately metered Pro hoppers can be integrated so that seed or microgranules can be introduced via either distribution circuit.”
Kuhn
Kuhn is set to demonstrate its multi-purpose Aurock triple disc seed drill, the electric drive Maxima 3e precision drill, the Performer disc and tine cultivator with seeder, the Striger strip-till cultivator, and their versatile TF front hopper at Cereals 2021.
Kuhn’s Aurock has the versatility to drill in no-till conditions, including into standing cover crops, and is equally effective in minimal cultivation systems. At Cereals, the company will demonstrate the 6m Aurock 6000 RC, with dual metering and a 5000-litre capacity split hopper.
This drill is designed for a low horsepower requirement, needing a modest 180hp to operate. The ability to work in varying field conditions starts at the front with two rows of opening discs and there is the option of 460mm diameter corrugated discs, for working in prepared soil or soil mixing, or a 430mm diameter embossed disc for cutting residues efficiently and minimising soil ejection.
Seed placement is carried out by the double disc seeding unit mounted on a parallelogram for optimum delivery accuracy and ground following, while alignment with the opening discs is maintained by a central pivot point between the coulter bar and the chassis.
According to Kuhn, this ensures that seeds drop accurately into the furrow, whether the drill is operating on a slope or around a bend.
With its dual metering capability, the Aurock 6000 RC offers numerous possibilities, including dual cropping or alternate row drilling with independent management of seeding depth. Kuhn says that these options are increasingly relevant for farmers seeking more innovative cropping solutions, whether for pest control or improving soil health.
The modular design of the Aurock allows the option of an integrated cutter roller with adjustable pressure to enable operation in all cover types, with the transport wheels positioned between the opening disc and the coulter bar.
The machine can also be equipped with a whole-width wheel train for seeding within a minimum tillage cropping system.
Syngenta’s Sprays & Sprayers Arena
The ever-popular Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers arena will return once again this year, but with a slightly new design featuring obstacles like telegraph poles and rumble strips to showcase sprayer performance in a much more ‘life-like’ on-farm scenario.
Manufacturers demoing in the arena include:
- Altek
- Amazone
- Chafer
- Chantry Dammann
- Fendt
- Hardi
- Househam Sprayers
- John Deere
- Knight Farm Machinery
- Merse Agriculture/Bargam
- Sands Agricultural Machinery
As well as this, the arena will host an exclusive demonstration of Syngenta’s new 3D Ninety nozzle which is being launched at the event.
According to Syngenta, the nozzle has been specifically designed and engineered to better target spray application, whilst also reducing the risk of drift.
Also at Sprays & Sprayers will be the chance to see Syngenta’s EasyConnect closed transfer system in operation on new sprayers.
Eyes in the sky at the Drone Zone
The Cereals Drone Zone themed ‘Scout, Seed & Feed: Cover Cropping with Zero Carbon’ will allow attendees to view several new drones in action.
Drones are already able to provide many benefits to arable farmers including identifying issues with soil compaction, weeds and drainage but the latest and most advanced drone technologies can take it much further.
As such, there will be drone demonstrations twice daily in the main Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena at Cereals 2021.
These co-ordinated demonstrations will illustrate how autonomous drones and robots can assist a farmer across a range of tasks including:
- Mini drones doing autonomous scouting
- Drones spreading seed accurately
- A ground-based robot demonstrating fertilisation of the seed
- Drones assisting with farming tasks in other ways
