Initial results from a study on the impact of field headlands on crop performance found a significant difference in crop performance across various headland zones.

The research results were presented at the recent National Tillage Conference by PhD student Mark Ward.

The project spanned across 40 commercial cereal farms over two growing seasons and included crops such as winter wheat, winter barley and winter wheat.

Soils types ranged from loam to sandy and clay loam.

Mark Ward speaking at the National Teagasc Tillage conference.

Mark divided the headlands into four zones:

  • Zone A - this zone was next to the field boundary. It typically has low traffic, but is subject to shading, pest damage and lower levels of nutrient application.
  • Zone B - the main headland zone and is subject to the highest level of machine traffic.
  • Zone C - this is the transition zone between the headland and the main field area. It is subject to cultivations in two directions and higher levels of nutrient application.
  • Zone D - this is the infield zone where no machine turning takes place.

    • Up to 20% of a difference

    Initial findings from Mark's research found that, in spring barley crops, zones C and D typically had higher levels of light interception across all soil types.

    When looking at yields, 87% of sites saw a lower grain yield in zones A and B.

    On average, Zone A had lowest grain yield across each of the soil types.

    In 67% of sites, there was a 20% or greater difference between zone A and D.

    Mark placed these differences down to soil structural effects and variability in input applications, specifically fertiliser.

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