RESULTS
The results are based on an evaluation of the Stubble Master Stubble Management system by Dresden University in Germany in 2007, followed by trials by German farmers to substantiate the academic evaluation.
ACADEMIC EVALUATION BY DRESDEN UNIVERSITY, GERMANY
PROOF THAT IT WORKS
During the evaluation by Dresden University, academics compared the Stubble Management System against the most common method used by farmers in Germany today – to combine at 14cm stubble height and using the combine’s straw chopper to deal with the residue.
During the evaluation measurements were taken of diesel consumption, fuel consumption and machine capacity.
Tests were conducted in winter wheat yielding 6.5t/ha and grown on medium to heavy soils.
WHAT THE FARMERS FOUND
Farmers working with the Stubble Master in Germany have reduced harvest costs by up to €36 per hectare by increasing the stubble height to 35 cm.
Combine diesel consumption was reduced by up to 10 litres per hectare.
Long stubble left by combines with wider headers followed by the Stubble Master provided much better distribution of the mulched material.
COMPARISON OF WORK RATES & FUEL CONSUMPTION
Stubble Master work rates and fuel consumption.
The table above shows the fuel consumptions and work rates of the combine when harvesting stubble at different heights (14.5cm, 26.5cm and 36.5cm). Evidently in the chart, as the stubble height increase so does the work rate whilst the fuel consumption decreases.
CONCLUSIONS
Combine work rate increased by 12.5% and fuel consumption dropped by 26% at 26.5 centimetre stubble height.
Combine work rate increased by a further 12% coupled with a 12% reduction in fuel consumption when the height was raised to 36.5 cm.
Long stubble left by combines with wider headers followed by the Stubble Master provided much better distribution of the mulched material.
