28 July 2015
Morris has made ICT (Input Control Technology) available with its latest 9 Series air carts, helping save fertilisers and seed for growers by eliminating overlap.
Via GPS and the Topcon X30 controller with the Morris carts, the gear drive system for the metering wheels can be quickly engaged or disengaged, allowing instantaneous shut-off.
New seeding overlap control technology now available in Australia is set to further boost efficiencies and fertiliser savings for grain growers.
While VRT (Variable Rate Technology) has been a common adage since the turn of the century, it appears ICT (Input Control Technology) could become the new industry catchcry.
Morris has made ICT available with its latest 9 Series air carts, including its granular and liquid systems.
Via GPS and the Topcon X30 controller with the Morris carts, the gear drive system for the metering wheels can be quickly engaged or disengaged, allowing instantaneous shut-off.
“In contrast to other auto shut-off systems, the Morris ICT runs individual metering wheels that can stop product dead. However, the system remains primed with product and as soon as it re-engages, it is back in the air stream – the product is immediately there,’’ said Brad Gray of McIntosh Distribution, Morris’ Australian distributor.
ICT is expected to save growers about 6 per cent in fertiliser and seed by eliminating overlap.
“This technology will help growers reach the next level of sowing efficiency and productivity. Due to higher input costs, we have to squeeze every efficiency we can out of our input management,’’ Brad said.
“In addition to good fertiliser savings, growers would be able to get a return back on the seed they save. They might use 75 tonne of seed instead of 80t – the remainder is deliverable product they can be paid for.’’
He said ICT would be highly valuable considering seeding bar sizes had increased to around 27 metres (90 feet), enhancing the risk of overlap and higher input usage, while smaller landholdings could benefit as well due to the difficult configuration of some paddocks, which made overlap unavoidable.
Brad said there had already been strong interest in the new technology to help reduce overlap with fertiliser and seed. Several new Morris 9 Series air carts with ICT recently completed seeding programs for growers in Western Australia and New South Wales.
For further information on the Morris 9 Series with ICT, growers can contact their nearest Morris dealer.