“I’ve been really impressed with the establishment we’ve had,”
His latest version, an Kverneland e-drill compact with NG-H power harrow, offers many improvements over his previous 3m system. Though it is the latest Actiline rear packer roller that attracts the greatest accolades.
“I was hesitant about the new rear roller design, and supplying dealer Battlefield Machinery did offer to replace it if I wasn’t satisfied with its performance,” explains Nick Galbraith, who farms 400 acres from Shebdon Farm near Newport, with his brother James. “And I have to say, that it is perhaps the best aspect of an already impressive combination.
There’s no chance the roller will be swapped.” PG Galbraith and Partners grows 260 acres of cereals, along with stubble turnips and grass, the latter to support 400 ewes.
Cultivations are carried out using a Kverneland 150S five-furrow reversible plough with number 28 bodies, followed by the e-drill. “We have soils that range from sand to clay – and often across the same field,” he adds.
“And this year, the germination has been totally even, regardless of soil type. I believe this is a combination of CX-II coulters and the power harrow’s new rear roller.” He says the Actiline roller provides a consistent level of consolidation, allowing the coulters to work accurately and efficiently. “Soil to seed contact is effective, and with such a precise sowing depth, we’ve seen a marked improvement in germination this year,” he says.
“I’ve been really impressed with the establishment we’ve had with grass, stubble turnips and cereals.” He says the combination also offers variable seed rate capability, which he has operated manually through the Tellus GO in-cab terminal, in the absence of any GPS on the farm’s two 150hp tractors.
“The next new tractor is likely to have auto-steering, so the e-drill is a future-proofed purchase, helped by it being equipped with ISOBUS,” adds Nick.
