How BEDNAR TERRALAND TN helps to reduce the rate of fertilizer application by 25%

The VITAGRO company, which cultivates up to 100 thousand hectares in the western regions of Ukraine, is a dynamic multidisciplinary agricultural complex that improves agricultural production technologies every year, in particular, taking care of the condition of the soil and optimizing the use of resources. A significant role in this is played by the careful selection of agricultural machines and aggregates and, accordingly, their application technologies. VITAGRO management faces today's challenges and actively looks for the latest effective solutions.

One of these solutions is applying the technology of deep loosening of the soil with the simultaneous introduction of mineral fertilizers into the soil profile. For this purpose, three technological complexes were purchased in 2019 - BEDNAR TERRALAND TN 4000 D7R deep looseners with FERTI-CART FC 3500 hoppers.

«We have not yet wholly abandoned plowing, as there are certain moments when it cannot be done without, for example, prioritizing organic fertilizers. However, according to the technological maps, where corn and sunflower will be grown, we switched to deep loosening soil with the simultaneous application of granular fertilizers. This made it possible to achieve several agronomic and economic advantages», - says Oleg Bilan, agronomist of VITAGRO company.

Information: Deep looseners BEDNAR TERRALAND TN

According to Mr. Oleh, three years ago, the primary task when choosing aggregates for deep loosening was the destruction of compactions in the soil and the improvement of its characteristics.

«As a result of many years of reversible plowing and heavy-wheeled equipment, numerous compactions were formed in the lower layers of the soil over time at a level of 30 cm and below. This created a kind of "jumper," which greatly complicated the circulation of moisture and air in the area where the root system of plants is located and prevented the development of the root system itself. At the same time, the mighty paws of BEDNAR TERRALAND TN deep looseners can work to a depth of up to 65 cm. That is, we can break the seal and qualitatively loosen the soil up to half a meter deep», - explains the VITAGRO specialist.

Subsequently, a decision was made to retrofit TERRALAND TN, with a unique technology from a Czech manufacturer - FERTI-CART FC 3500 mineral fertilizer hoppers, which hold 3500 kg of granules.

Information: Fertilizer bunkers FERTI-CART FC 3500

«We have significantly improved the technology of preparing the field for sowing and growing row crops. The working bodies of TERRALAND TN make it possible to apply fertilizers at a depth of 20 cm in the soil. In this way, we lay food for plants 15-17 cm below the planting of seeds, stimulating the young root system to develop not sideways but downwards. That is, the plant is guaranteed to receive the much-needed nutrition during a critical development period, and in the future, its roots will go downward - to where there is more moisture and nutrients. Of course, this positively affects the resistance of corn and sunflower crops and contributes to an increase in yield», - Oleg Bilan notes.

This way, 100 to 150 kg/ha of complex NPK is applied to a depth of 20 cm. And what is necessary is that BEDNAR's technology made it possible to save fertilizer consumption significantly.

We saved up to 25% of the number of fertilizers applied earlier. First of all, thanks to the fact that we give them to the depth - precisely in the zone of development of the root system of plants and where there is more moisture. According to the agronomist, nutrients dissolve better in the soil and are assimilated by plants.

Considering that three BEDNAR TERRALAND TN 4000 D7R deep looseners with FERTI-CART FC 3500 hoppers in one season at VITAGRO cover a total of 10,000 ha (from 3,000 to 3,600 ha each), it is easy to calculate that by saving at least 25 kg/ha, the agricultural holding managed to save 100 tons (!) of fertilizers in one year. Considering the current cost of mineral fertilizers and exceptionally high-quality NPK, it can be argued that this technique pays for itself literally in a year.

«I can say that BEDNAR TERRALAND TN units show themselves very well. Only a few planned replacements of components are possible. I also want to signify the great job of our dealer - Titan Machinery Ukraine. They always do their best that we could effectively use our machinery, helping with improvements and technical services», - says the head engineer of VITAGRO, Mykhaylo Chaykivsky.

According to Mykhailo Ludvigovich, with the appearance of BEDNAR TERRALAND TN technology in the fields, the productivity of deep loosening has increased significantly. Units with a working width of 4 meters can efficiently process 60 hectares of fields per day with the simultaneous application of fertilizers. They also work effectively at night, thanks to well-integrated navigation technologies.

At the same time, the operating speed on hard ground is 6-8 km/h, and under favorable conditions - 9 km/h. On average, fuel consumption in a 370-horsepower tractor is 16-17 l/ha, which is an excellent indicator for such a powerful deep loosener.

«It is clear that to obtain a high yield and good profitability of cultivation it's necessary to implement many elements of technology successfully. And high-quality soil cultivation and correct application of fertilizers are critical factors, among others. We eliminate compaction, ensuring the free circulation of moisture and air in loose soil, and also accelerate the decomposition of crop residues. This contributes to the development of beneficial biota in the soil. And what is essential, such processing contributes to better soil moisture preservation, in particular, because part of the harvest remains on the surface, providing a mulching effect. In the spring, one pass of the pre-sowing unit is enough to start sowing», - explains Oleg Bilan

Interestingly, BEDNAR TERRALAND TN 4000 D7R deep looseners with FERTI-CART FC 3500 hoppers became the first units of the Czech manufacturer on VITAGRO fields.

«At one time, the main reasons for our choice were the optimal ratio of price and quality. Now we are convinced of this from our own experience. I think that after the average grain export from Ukraine at reasonable prices is restored we would consider purchasing additional BEDNAR units», - Oleg Bilan concluded