Super farmers with BASF

In this last post of 2021, we would like to share with you a very nice experience that we lived at the beginning of summer, where we were able to record the second and third chapters of the series that BASF planned for this year... it was a unique experience

In the second chapter we met Alberto (and his father Félix), a farmer from La Victória (Córdoba) with whom we were able to talk about cereals and especially about wheat and the treatments that they do with the fungicide Priaxor.... we could share a lot of very interesting things.

Shortly afterwards, we travelled to Torres de Montes (Huesca) to meet Carlos, a young super farmer who explained many things about direct sowing. They had fantastic wheat!!

Here, you can find all the five chapters that were recorded to allow you to watch them. They are really very interesting and they are made with a lot of love, so the result is extraordinary.

We would like to wish you a happy 2022. We wish you good harvests for this coming year and fair prices for agriculture... regards to all of you and see you in 2022.

Versión en español.

• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Chapter 4
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Chapter 5
  • Part 1
  • Part 2

 

Cereal sowing days. XL seed drill

After the soil preparation task explained in the last few posts, we change the task and start with the cereal sowing. Our friend Fernando Martín (Medina de Rioseco - Valladolid) sent us a few pictures of his two new machines: John Deere 6250R and Gil Airsem XL seed drill... We consider that our friend has done a very good choice!! 

We have noticed that, especially in Castilla y León area, the tendency is to use larger and larger machines. In contrast, this is not the case in our area, where three-metre seed drills and small tractors are still used for cereal tasks equivalent to those carried out there... It is true that for us cereal is not the most important crop (as you know, it is our purple garlic) and therefore there is not the same level of investment in cereal as in areas where there are only extensive crops such as cereal.  

In this case we have focused on the seed drill, but we can extend it to any other implement, such as the roller, sprayer, spreader, etc. In our area, 4-metre rollers, 12-metre sprayers and simple spreaders, even single-plate spreaders, are normal machines that are practically disappearing in central-northern Spain. 

As Fernando tells us, we can highlight about the new Gil Airsem XL seed drill is the following: 

• The 6,000-litre hopper provides a high degree of autonomy: This is a great advantage for Fernando because sowing tasks always have to be done in the shortest possible time.  
• Combination seed drill: It can apply fertiliser and seed at the same time or only seed.  
• ISOBUS machine: It is connected to the tractor monitor and the seed drill control is integrated with the tractor's auto guidance system. It makes the control of variable doses (distributor with electric motor), etc. very simple.  
• Working width of 7 metres: which allows you to sow a large number of hectares in a day and to be able to fold to a width of 3 metres for transport. 
• Besides, itt can be configured for conventional sowing and direct sowing using coulters. 

In conclusion,What is your opinion about making large investments in different agricultural machines? Do you make any investment and amortisation analysis before making a purchase of this type? 

Versión en español.

Soil preparation (III). Fendt 942 Vario

After a few autumn weeks, we continue with soil works before the sowing days. This time we went to Campo de San Pedro (Segovia) to see one of the giants of the field, the new Fendt 942 Vario Gen7 (7th generation of the 900 Series with Vario transmission). We were also able to see a very interesting implement, a Väderstad tine cultivator. 

If we talk about the new Fendt 942, we are able to write hundreds of lines to describe all the technology and features, but if we make a brief summary, we would like to highlight the specific ones: 

• MAN engine of 9 litres and 415 HP (maximum power at 1,600 rpm) and maximum torque of 1,970 Nm at 1,450 rpm. 
• Engine speed from 650 rpm to 1,700 rpm. 
• 1,000 PTO at 1,280 rpm. 
• New axles allow larger tyres (R44 rim on the rear tyres). 
• Vario Drive transmission with variably distributes traction. 
• Maximum authorised weight of 20,000 kg. 
• Homologated maximum speed of 60 km/h (at 1,450 rpm) for countries that allow it. 
• Vario Grip tyre inflation system integrated into the terminal. 
• Hydraulic system up to 430 l/min (with two tandem pumps). 
• New cab with FendtONE operator environment. 

Despite the fact that we only worked with the tractor for a few hours, our feelings were very positive. It is a real pleasure to work with, as you can automate almost everything: headland management, autoguidance, working speed, etc. We were able to work with the Väderstad tine cultivator at 12 km/h and the tractor really worked at around 1,200 rpm and the comfort in the driver's seat was absolute. 

In terms of transport, on the road or off-road, the feeling you get is that you are in an off-road car or even in one of the best saloon cars on the market because you have inside the cabin a great comfort... a real advantage for farmers who need (and can afford) such tractors.   

To conclude our review of the Fendt 942 Vario tractor, this tractor has verified every single capability we have read about - a tractor like this never disappoints. 

Versión en español.