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Controlled traffic farming (CTF) keeps all paddock traffic in the same wheel tracks, thereby separating compacted traffic zones from soil used for growing crops, and providing a wide range of benefits for crop production. Benefits observed in research and commercial practice in the grain and sugar industries include reduced soil erosion, more efficient energy, water and fertiliser use, improved soil structure, organic matter and timeliness, and increased productivity (Bowman 2008; Lamers et al. 1986; McPhee et al. 1995; Stewart et al. 1997; Vermeulen et al. 2007).

Use of CTF in the Australian grain and sugar industries has increased in recent years as the benefits have become more widely recognized. The uptake of CTF in the intensive vegetable industry is almost non-existent for a number of reasons, including diversity and incompatibility of current equipment, and often, a diversity of ownership arrangements (e.g. private, contractor and company-based machines) requiring industry-wide involvement for effective change.

Recent research in vegetables in Tasmania has provided evidence of improved soil conditions through the use of controlled traffic, while on-farm demonstrations have identified a number of factors that need to be addressed for practical adoption of the technique. Issues to be resolved for successful adoption of CTF in vegetable production include tracking stability on compacted wheel tracks, and implement working and track width compatibility.

Item Type:	Conference Edited
Keywords:	porosity, infiltration, tillage, farming systems
Research Division:	Engineering
Research Group:	Other engineering
Research Field:	Agricultural engineering
Objective Division:	Plant Production and Plant Primary Products
Objective Group:	Horticultural crops
Objective Field:	Field grown vegetable crops
UTAS Author:	McPhee, J (Mr John McPhee)
ID Code:	70005
Year Published:	2011
Deposited By:	Agricultural Science
Deposited On:	2011-05-26
Last Modified:	2013-03-27
Downloads:	216 View Download Statistics