Erth Engineering recently demonstrated its new generation Agriseeder direct grass seeding machine at Kells, Co Meath, to show how effective the machine can be in direct sowing grass seeds into sprayed-off pasture. The key to the machine is the ability to maintain an even sowing depth across its three-metre working width.

The machine was developed by David McCoubrey of Erth Engineering in response to the challenges faced with direct sowing grass seeds. His aim was to develop a machine using proven components that would give an even sowing depth over the variable surface conditions found in most fields.

He has developed a 3m-wide Agriseeder that uses three separate 1m-wide frame sections, each of which is independent in terms of its surface pressures. Each frame section is pressurised individually while linked to a single overall hydraulic pressure system. Each section has its own hydraulic ram to exert the required pressure to give field surface penetration through a matt of sprayed-off vegetation.

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The serrated discs give good grip into the ground and are arranged in two banks to give a narrow spacing. The discs are followed by a smooth roller, which also serves as a depth control unit. The forward speed and the seed metering system are controlled by a sensor attached to the roller unit.

Erth Engineering calls it the Auto Contour system and you can see it in action from behind the machine. Each of the 1m seeder sections operates somewhat independently as it follows the different ground contours.

The machine has an in-cab control box which displays the seeding rate, the forward speed of the tractor and the area sown. The seeder unit consists of a 300-litre capacity hopper with a separate fan and seed distribution unit.

The electric fan has variable speed control and it distributes the seed through an external distribution unit. This seed distribution unit located between the tractor and the hopper, has a transparent cover to let the driver know that there is still seed in the distribution tubes.

David McCoubrey claims the 3m unit is suitable for tractors from 100hp upwards. The tractor at the demonstration provided by local contractor Agriman Ltd was operating at about 8km/hr, and David said that in normal working conditions this could go to 10km/hr. This should give an output of between four and five acres per hour, depending on field sizes.

The machine’s disc coulters were seen to cut a narrow slit into the field surface. Under this, there was a small amount of cultivation by the seed coulter so that there was no smearing of the side-wall evident. This is important as smearing can be as much a barrier to the seed establishment as deep sowing.

Direct seeding in this way can be more cost-effective than conventional ploughing and tilling. The system must give good grass crop results and this is where management and operation of the Agriseeder is important.

David McCoubrey recommends not applying slurry or fertilizer for up to three weeks after seeding with the Agriseeder. “Putting fertilizer out too soon will create too much competition for the emerging grasses. The grass seed has enough vitality to get established and when it is up and growing then it can take advantage of the fertilizer provided,” he said.

For many of the farmers and contractors present at the demonstration, the advantages of not having to pick stones when reseeding was the overriding benefit of the direct seeding system. The fact that the machine offered a one-pass solution provides a quick and easy method of refreshing pastures.

The Agriseeder costs €19,500 (£16,000) plus VAT. Erth Engineering expects to have a new folding 4m machine on display at next week’s National Ploughing Championships.

Grass seed choice

Tom McGuinness of McGuinness Seeds, Slane, Co Meath, provided the seed mixture for the demonstration. He recommended seed mixture No 4 from his selection as it is suitable for grazing and silage harvesting.

The mixture contains perennial ryegrass in the following proportions: 4kg Glencar, 4kg Stefani, 3.25kg Denver with 0.5kg of Avoca white clover. These perennial ryegrasses are all late-maturing grasses, which John believes are suitable for dairy farmers in the north Leinster area who want a mixture of summer grazing and silage making.

The cost of the 12kg/acre seed is in the region of €60/acre.

Local contractor service

Local contractors Agriman Ltd, run by members of the Farrelly family from Carnaross, Kells, Co Meath, prepared the recent demonstration for the Erth Engineering Agriseeder. They have bought a 3m Agriseeder for use in their contracting business.

They will be offering the direct seeding service at a cost of €50 per acre. Agriman will provide a full pre-sowing spraying service for farmers in the area.

Peter Farrelly of the Agriman team said that the full seeding cost of the system, including spraying, will be in the region of €150, when seed, sprays and slug pellets are included.