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Straw Harrow – a tool for all seasons
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The Claydon family have farmed the heavy clay land of Suffolk since the early 1900s. Jeffrey and Frank Claydon are the third generation to farm the land now under the E.T. Claydon and Sons family partnership name. The brothers started out in 1970 and still farm the land today. The manufacturing side of the business began in 1981, when Claydon Yield-o-Meter was established to sell its yield monitoring system.
Claydon Drill machines are developed on a working farm by farmers for farmers. All of our farm machinery is truly tried and tested in real farming conditions in a real farm environment before they are brought to market.
We don’t just listen to the end user – we are the end user.
© Claydon Using a Claydon Straw Harrow before or after direct drilling has a hugely positive impact on crop establishment results. Here are six reasons why.
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Managing stubbles
Leaving thick layers of poorly chopped and spread straw from the combine harvester risks patchy establishment.
Straw harrowing helps consistent crop germination across fields by breaking down and dispersing crop residues, even on headlands as Claydon Straw Harrows turn without needing to be lifted, ensuring straw is evenly distributed.
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Generating tilth, raking weeds
Five banks of flexible, vibrating spring tines operating at high speed is an effective method of generating tilth to germinate weeds and volunteers which are then raked out by another pass of the Straw Harrow.
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Reducing slug populations
High-speed harrowing turns over crop residues and exposes them to ultraviolet light, desiccating slug eggs.
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Warming overwintered soils
Harrowing spring stubbles creates a micro tilth for germinating weeds and volunteers but also warms that very important soil that will surround your grains, grasses and pulses, encouraging a fast and even germination.
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Returning nutrients and organic matter to soil
If you want to use the straw you’re chopping and spreading on your land it will require some attention. Claydon Straw Harrows allow you to make use of this valuable commodity by:
- Distributing straw evenly across the soil surface area
- Breaking soil cap and stimulating healthy bacteria
- Breaking down crop residues into smaller pieces, making it easier for earthworms to harvest.
These three things are fundamental for turning your straw into something worth leaving on your fields.
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Transforming slabby seed-beds
The Straw Harrow is a great tool for breaking down slabby seed beds and clods into smaller particles, covering over open rows left by drilling in imperfect conditions, as can be seen below.
© Claydon
The effectiveness of the fast, multi-action Claydon Straw Harrow is due to its quality of build and durability.
Huge amounts of ground can be covered in a day for little cost and with minimal wearing parts.
Hot and dry or cool and wet, Claydon Straw Harrows allow you to distribute straw, smash stubble, control slugs and remove weeds, creating the best environment for drilling and efficient germination of the crops you’re seeding.
Get in touch with us or one of our partners now to get a Straw Harrow on farm.