Granular fertiliser
Granular product incorporated into the tank mix and applied with the rest of the program.
Equipment
The Tow & Fert Multi 1000.
A trailing, self-powered applicator that mixes, suspends and applies fertiliser in one tank — the reason a DRAFCO pass can cover several jobs at once instead of one.
How the machine works
Built to mix fertiliser in the tank, not just carry water.
The Tow and Fert applicator can easily apply all liquid fertilisers much the same as a conventional sprayer. What sets it apart is the ability to quickly dissolve soluble products such as urea in the tank and suspend urea-formaldehyde polymer solids. It can also mix, suspend and apply micro-fine particulate fertilisers including lime, dolomite and magnesite, provided the product is milled to less than 100 microns.
Milling amendments that finely is what makes them work in suspension. Although the particles are smaller, their much greater surface area gives the plant more contact with every gram of product, so a lower application rate achieves the same result.
Because both macro-nutrients and trace minerals can go on at the same time, application cost and time both come down. The same equipment broadcast sprays small round seed such as chicory, plantain, clover and suedes — a no-disturbance method for increasing species variety and feed quality in existing pasture.
As a system it reduces farm inputs, widens the application window and improves timeliness. For Macedon Ranges farming businesses the real advantage is that multiple products can be applied simultaneously during a single paddock pass.
One-pass applications
Several products, one tank, one pass.
Depending on what the paddock needs, a single mix can carry any combination of the following — planned in advance so rates stay accurate and the job is done once.
Pasture seed
Small round seed broadcast with the nutrient mix to lift diversity while feeding the paddock.
Biological products
Biological products and bio-nutrients carried in the same pass as the fertiliser.
Soil amendments
Lime, dolomite, magnesite and other amendment products applied as micro-fine particulates milled to less than 100 microns — a finer particle carries more surface area, so less product achieves the same result.
Multi-product mixing is not a case of tipping everything in together. Compatibility, water rates and the order products go in the tank are worked out before the job, so nothing is compromised by the convenience of a single pass.
DRAFCO runs as an application service, so the product is usually supplied by the client — bulk bags, IBCs and liquid shuttles, small bagged product, containers and envirodrums can all be handled. Product can be sourced on request where it suits the job.
Broadcast seeding
More species in the paddock without cultivation.
Small round seed — chicory, plantain, clover and suedes — is broadcast over existing pasture as a no-disturbance way of increasing species variety and feed quality. It suits producers who want a more diverse sward without pulling the paddock apart.
No cultivation
Seed goes over the existing pasture rather than into a prepared seedbed.
Mixed with nutrients
Can travel in the same pass as fertiliser and soil amendments.
Suited to grazing country
Built for mixed farming paddocks rather than broadacre crop establishment.
Timing matters
Moisture and grazing management after sowing decide how well it establishes.
The tractor
New Holland T5.95 with loader and auto-steer.
New Holland T5.95
95 HP FWA tractor. Large floatation tyres to reduce compaction and improve traction and stability.
Loader
For property owners who want to use bulka bag product we can effectively load using only one machine. The Multi 1000 has its own power source and can agitate and mix while un-coupled allowing us to use the tractor to lift and load bulk bags.
GPS Auto-Steer
Our tractor is fitted with a Sveaverken GPS Auto-Steer system. 10cm pass-to-pass accuracy keeps each run straight and consistent, so overlap and missed ground are kept to a minimum.
Next step
Ready when the paddock is.
Book an application or ask a question about tank mixes, rates and timing for your property.