For Wiltshire farmer Henry Spencer, applying fertiliser with the best possible accuracy ensures that every kilo counts.
“Since switching to the GEOSPREAD, we’re putting everything on so much better,” he says. “And logistically, we never run short or end up with half a bag in the hopper – it’s so much more accurate.”
The majority of what the 2,250-acre family farming business grows is a source of forage for the JD Spencer 500-cow Stavilands Holstein herd, based at Manor Farm, Langley Burrell. This includes around 1,200 acres of grass leys that are cut and grazed frequently through the year. A further 250 acres is allocated to maize, and 800 acres of winter wheat provides both a source of straw for bedding, and grain for livestock consumption.
“We’re putting on around 180 tonnes across the farm each year to supplement muck and slurry, to make the most of yield potential,” he says. “And the GEOSPREAD has transformed our spreading accuracy. This year’s maize was on 14 fields, and the whole area received a total of 25 tonnes at 250kg/ha – we were accurate to within 1.4%, which is incredible.”
He says that low rates are used to rejuvenate blocks of paddock grazing, and the spreader’s auto section control makes this a quick and easy job.
“With auto section control and auto start/stop, there’s no over-dosing or under-dosing,” he says. “Our spread width matches perfectly, and we’re getting more consistent growth in all crops across the farm.”
The DSX-W GEOSPREAD was supplied with a Tellus GO terminal and as such, is not tied to any specific model of tractor. Henry reports that the machine is easy to set-up and use, thanks to the spreading chart app, and it’s also easy to clean.
“The shaker box and app make spreading effortless,” he says. “It does exactly what it should. And when I’ve finished for the day, it’s also easy to clean, which all helps with longevity and protection against corrosion.”
Henry says that spreading is achieved using 20m bout widths.
“We could easily spread wider, but operating at up to 20kph with three hopper extensions gives us plenty of output,” he says. “The spreader handles unbranded fertiliser and urea with ease, and I’d have another one without hesitation.”
