GROWERS interested in some of the leading innovations delivering improved performance, efficiencies and savings for cropping operations should put a big circle around the McIntosh Distribution stand at the AgQuip Field Days at Gunnedah.
The national distributor will display Miller’s Spray-Air nozzle system and Morris’ Input Control Technology (ICT) available with its 9 Series air carts, while growers also will be able to find out about the new Integrated Harrington Seed Destructor (iHSD), which is distributed nationally through McIntosh and Son branches.
Similar to section control on sprayers, Morris’ ICT is available with its 9 Series air carts, including its granular and liquid systems, and saves fertiliser and seed for growers by eliminating overlap.
Via GPS and the Topcon X30 controller, the Morris gear drive system for the metering wheels can be quickly engaged or disengaged, allowing instantaneous shut-off.
In contrast to other auto shut-off systems, the Morris ICT runs individual metering wheels that can stop product immediately, while the system remains primed with product and as soon as it re-engages, it is back in the air stream.
The Morris 9 Series air carts with ICT are expected to be highly valuable considering the increase in seeding bar sizes, which enhances the risk of overlap and higher input usage.
Some growers are saving up to 12.5 per cent seed and fertiliser in some paddocks using the Morris 9 Series air carts with ICT.
The iHSD comprises two hydraulically-driven cage mills that are mounted within the rear of harvesters, just below the sieves.
The Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) has determined the mills can destroy 93 to 99 per cent of weed seeds that enter them, preventing the majority of weed seeds from entering the soil seed bank.
The technology enables one-pass weed control; reduction in herbicide resistant weeds, thereby allowing better targeted and efficient chemical control in following seasons; and reduced burning, hence also improving soil organic matter.
The tow-behind Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD) has been one of the greatest innovations in harvest weed seed control and with the support of GRDC funding, the agricultural engineering group at the University of South Australia made it possible to integrate the technology into harvesters.
- Visit McIntosh Distribution at site Q/R 3-6.
