Garford weeder ends crop failures on organic farm

摘要

Increasing numbers of conventional cereal growers are looking at mechanical weeding as part of an integrated approach to weed control. Lucinda Dannvisits an organic grower to discuss his experiences,Since starting to weed his cereal crops five years ago with a Garford mechanical hoe, organic grower Robert Hyde hasn't lost any of his crops to weeds. In the past, Mr Hyde relied on closely spaced rows to compete out aggressive weeds, with only limitedsuccess, losing areas of crop to com marigold.Now, the camera-guided mechanical hoe is allowing him to achieve 3.7t/ha for his spring barley at a cost of just ￡1.25/ha per season in wearing parts and diesel, making two passes with the machine.