Controlled traffic farming

Reason for the work

We carried out this work to test the idea that, if a system of tramlines was used in grass fields, in much the same way as is commonly used in arable crop production, then grass yields may be greater as a result of reduced soil compaction, compared with a field where movement of field equipment was not restricted. The project was part of a wider programme of work funded by AHDB Dairy [linked].

Results

The field using the CTF practice yielded 13.5% more grass, for 2nd and 3rd cut silage, than the field managed in a conventional way. (The different systems were only implemented from 1st cut harvest and not for the whole growing season, meaning that a difference was not expected to be seen at that stage).

Repeated vehicle passes over the same ground was associated with reduced soil quality (in terms of structure) and soil resistance increasing in line with greater frequency of traffic. Over a whole silage production season, the area travelled over by the CTF system was 57% smaller than the area in contact with equipment travel in the conventionally managed field.

Scientific publications

Hargreaves, PR, Peets, S, Chamen, WCT, White, DR, Misiewicz, PA and Godwin, RJ (2019). Improving grass silage production with controlled traffic farming (CTF): agronomics, system design and economics. Precision Agriculture, 20, 260-277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-018-09633-7

Antille, DL, Peets, S, Galambošová, J, Botta, GF, Rataj, V, Macak, M, Tullberg, JN, Chamen, WCT, White, DR, Misiewicz, PA, Hargreaves, PR, Bienvenido, JF, Godwin RJ (2019). Review: Soil compaction and controlled traffic farming in arable and grass cropping systems. Agronomy Research, 17, 653-682. RL: Read it here