British grain farmers use new methods to cut costs

BRITISH farmers who see little prospect of grain prices improving are going to new lengths to drive down production costs.

Their latest move is towards some form of controlled traffic system to improve crop yields. Many have long replaced the plough and power harrow with crop establishment systems needing little or no pre-sowing preparation.

The next step for some is GPS-controlled traffic to reduce the travelled area in fields and, thereby, minimise soil compaction.