Any improvement in the accuracy of the settings and or spread pattern is important in these days of high input prices. Whether you are spreading on grass or tillage crops, the more accurate you can be the less waste you will have.

There are differing systems to help set the rate correctly. The removal of a disc and the weighing of the fertiliser that falls into a bucket in 30 seconds can give large improvements in rate control for a small investment of time. This is often more difficult as the spreader ages due to corrosion of the disc-removal mechanism. And more harm may be done to the pattern and rate during the removal of the disc than would be gained by doing the test. Bogballe has the S-indicator, which enables the flow rate of the fertiliser to be assessed using a hanging funnel separate from the machine. Vicon has an app in which you type in the density of the fertiliser and it calculates the setting required.

Weight cells on your machine are another development. These, linked to radar speed detection, mean that the rate adjusts depending on your forward speed. The rate can be set on an in-cab control unit. These systems are available on all the main manufacturers’ mid-range to high-end machines.

Headland spreading technology is an area where the manufacturers differ in the approach they take, ranging from drop-down deflector vanes to deflect the fertiliser away from the headland or reversing the disc rotation to narrow the spread pattern. These reduce the amount of fertiliser thrown into the hedge. Precise headland spreading is essential in areas where watercourses border your field. All of the manufacturers’ systems have to meet European standards for this reason.

Simple GPS systems can also bring improvements in accuracy. Entry-level systems can be bought for €1,200 to €1,500. One of these guidance systems with a competent operator and a modern twin-disc spreader can bring measurable savings in comparison with stepping out bout width on grassland or ploughed ground pre-sowing.

GPS can also help spreaders become more efficient. This allows the spreader to determine its actual working position in the field. GPS systems can provide the fertiliser spreader with the information required to operate full sectional control in short ground, and automatically opening and closing the shutters for headland turning. Most of these systems can be linked using an Isobus connection. Isobus is a generic connection system used by most implement manufacturers and tractor manufacturers to link their machines. It removes the requirement for a separate control box for the spreader, giving spreader control from the tractor’s own screen. It is only in the most recent update that it has become fully and consistently functional across most manufacturers.

Spreaders are starting to move away from the mechanical drive systems we are used to, where the pto shaft turns a gear assembly and the discs turn at a constant and equal speed.

There has been a move towards hydraulically driven discs, which will not only allow for greater control of disc speed but also the ability to run each disc at a different speed to modify the spread pattern, like section control on a sprayer.

The spread pattern can also be modified by differing the drop point of the fertiliser on to the disc. If the fertiliser is dropped closer to the centre of the disc, it will leave at a greater speed giving you a wider spread width.

Both the variable speed disc drives and the differing drop area combined can give the high accuracy required to match up to the data that can be gained these days.

Yield mapping from harvesting equipment and nitrogen sensor data from drones can be overlaid on to field maps and then with a combination of the latest technology available on spreaders the fertiliser can be targeted where it is thought to be needed.

All of the main manufacturers have differing ideas on how to achieve this accuracy but all are based on the same principle that the more information you have about the material being spread and the area being spread, the better and more accurate job that can be done.