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Cost Examples |
Farmers working in Germany during the period of the evaluation and following the
research work undertaken by Dresden University have reported reduced combine costs
by up to €36.00/ha following implementation of Stubble Management system.
Undertaking their own tests, the farmers used a combine with a 9.0m cutter bar and
increased normal stubble levels from approximately 15cm up to a height of approximately
35cm.
As with the university study, the impact was immediate and impressive. The farmers
involved in the field tests reported a reduction in fuel consumption from 20 litres/ha
to 12 litres/ha. Similarly, the farmers recorded increased combine operational capacity
from 3.6ha/hr to 5.4ha/hr to equate to a total saving of €36.00/ha.
The cost of employing a 9.1m mower with a 150kW (200hp) tractor including diesel
(costing €0.80/litre) was calculated at €10.00/ha. The mower required 2.5litres/hr
of fuel and achieved a work rate of 12ha/hr.
Adopting the Stubble Management approach, the increased work rate of the combine
and the higher operational capacity of the mulcher resulted in completion of both
operations in less time than it would normally take to complete the harvest.
In one study, based on a 720ha harvest that would typically have taken 200 hours
(at 3.4ha/hr) using traditional practice, implementation of the system produced
further impressive results. Combining at a stubble cutting height of 35cm, farmers
completed the harvest in 133 hours.
Mowing with a 9.1m mulcher operating at 12ha/hr then took 60 hours, saving a further
seven hours. The farmers were also quick to identify the potential for further benefits
in addition to significant time and fuel savings. Since the initial research in
2007, this has been evidenced with faster crop residue decomposition, reduced fungus
levels and pesticide carry-over and quicker germination of weeds seeds, all of which
further reduces the time and cost of preparing for the subsequent crop.
Another key consideration at higher stubble cutting levels, identified by the farmers
taking part in the trials, is the reduced risk of damage to the combine caused by
stones and other obstructions.
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