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Investing in a combination
of a 6 metre OPICO Grass Harrow and Air 8 Seeder proved the
right decision for Wick farmer and contractor Alastair Alexander.
"We were looking for a system of sowing
grass seed and there was quite a demand for rejuvenating existing
grass land in our area," explained Mr Alexander. "I
had used a direct drill but our customers didn't like it because
it left the grass in strips. The OPICO system broadcasts the
seeds on to the surface and the tines simply rake the seed into
the ground. It has proved so popular that in my first season
I have done over 1000 acres."
"We have done some grassland just using
the harrow to remove weeds and grass," he continued. "There
have been great results with it. Farmers are finding a big difference
in the pastures this year and they are certainly going to continue
with the grass harrow."
" On one farm, where the ground was
very hard and dry, the results were particularly impressive.
It was existing grassland and we put more grass with clover
on to the surface with the harrow. It worked well even in those
dry conditions and the crop really took off once it got a bit
of moisture and warmth. When the farmer cut the field for silage
he doubled the number of bales compared to the previous year."
Mr Alexander has also found the unit ideal
for normal reseeding on land that has been cultivated and rolled.
"We spread the grass on the surface and the tines just
lightly harrow it in."
Another farmer customer used the harrow
for weeding his crop this year. "It worked very well, he
was actually going organic and it really did knock the weeds
without affecting the crop."
January 2001
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