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."ss

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