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70005 - Initial findings show benefits of controlled trafffic for intensive vegetable production.pdf (85.17 kB)

Initial findings show benefits of controlled trafffic for intensive vegetable production

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conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-24, 22:14 authored by John McPheeJohn McPhee, Aird, P

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.

Funding

Horticulture Innovation Australia

History

Publication title

Proceedings of 5th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

Pagination

1-4

Department/School

Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)

Event title

World Congress on Conservation Agriculture

Event Venue

Brisbane, Australia

Date of Event (Start Date)

2011-09-26

Date of Event (End Date)

2011-09-29

Rights statement

Copyright 2011 The Authors

Repository Status

  • Open

Socio-economic Objectives

Field grown vegetable crops

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

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