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Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) is an in-field traffic management strategy to minimise soil compaction. The aim of this study was to perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based on a modelling approach to estimate environmental impacts of producing wheat in Denmark using CTF compared to the conventional practice of Random Traffic Farming (RTF). Compared to the RTF system, CTF reduced environmental impacts on a grain-weight basis in all impact categories analysed: aquatic eutrophication (8-16%), human toxicity (3-15%), terrestrial eutrophication (29%), climate change (50%), acidification (33%), eco-toxicity (11-138%), and land use (7%). Reductions in environmental impacts in the CTF system analysed are caused mainly by higher grain yields, less soil compaction, which decreases P-compound runoff and in-field soil N2O and NH 3 emissions, and the use of auto-guidance, which induces less overlap during application of fertilisers and pesticides. The results, moreover, show that these environmental improvements are potentially relevant at a global scale.

Tractor and/or implement wheels precede ground tools, and compact soil immediately before it is loosened in most tillage and planting operations. The work reported here was designed to quantify the impact of preceding wheel traffic on tine draught and the energy requirements of tillage, as part of a programme to assess the benefits of controlled traffic operation. Instrumented tines on a three-point linkage toolbar were used behind a 70 kW two-wheel drive tractor to measure the 'traffic effect' of wheels on the draught of the tillage tools following them in a clay soil. Under conditions broadly representative of Australian grain production, the draught of chisel and sweep tines operating behind tractor or implement wheels was increased by a factor of approximately two, compared with identical tines unaffected by preceding wheel traffic. These data can be used to demonstrate that the traffic effect on trailed tillage implements can increase total draught by more than 30%. This can be defined as the 'traffic penalty' of the operation, and indicates the extent to which a conventional tractor/implement system generates its own workload. A 'traffic efficiency' parameter is proposed to quantify the impact of tractor and implement traffic effects, and used to show that approximately 50% of a tractor's power output can be dissipated in the process of creating and disrupting its own wheel compaction. These results can be used to explain the reduction in tillage energy which occurs in controlled traffic systems, and indicate other approaches to improving overall tractor/tillage system efficiency. They are also the basis of speculation about the relationship between tractive efficiency, traffic efficiency and soil structure damage.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior The Soil compaction has been induced in the no-tillage (NT), mainly due to machinery traffic conditions in soils with high humidity. This traffic is essential for crop management, impossible to put out of the field. Alternatively to try to solve this problem the concept of controlled traffic system (CTF) of machines, which is the containment and permanent separation of local traffic machine of free traffic. In most incipient case of disciplined traffic system of the machines is an initial alternative to full deployment. In this sense an experiment was conducted during two crop years in a commercial area, managed under the NT using techniques of AP in the Não Me Toque city, RS state. The soil is Red Latossol with Cfa climate following Koppen classification. The treatments were: a) No Traffic (ST) b) traffic Spray (TP) c) Traffic Tractor (TT) and d) Maximum Traffic (TM). The assessments were: bunk density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity in the soil layers: 00-0.05; 0.05 0.10; 0,10 0.20 e 0.20 -0.30 m , water infiltration, penetrometer resistence (PR), root systems and yeld in the corn and soybean. In Céu Azul city, PR state, have another experiment was also conducted to study the traffic discipline within the commercial fields,but only soyebean field and with similar treatments to those used in RS. The results obtained in Paraná was observed that treatments with control traffic farming had 8% less yeld. Changes in soil physical properties not change significantly after the traffic. In the two case investigated it was found that the controlled traffic has feasibility in implementation and improvement in soil physical properties and increased yeld of corn and soybeans in southern Brazil. A compactação do solo tem sido induzida no sistema de plantio direto (SPD), principalmente devido ao tráfego de máquinas em condições de solos com elevada umidade. Este tráfego dentro da lavoura é essencial para o manejo das culturas, impossível de ser extinto de dentro da lavoura. Como alternativa para tentar solucionar este problema surge o conceito do sistema de tráfego controlado de máquinas, que é o confinamento e a separação permanente dos locais de tráfego de máquinas dos locais livre de tráfego. Neste sentido foi conduzido um experimento com duração de dois anos em uma área comercial, manejada sob o SPD utilizando técnicas de AP no município de Não Me Toque, RS. O solo do local é um Latossolo Vermelho com clima subtropical do tipo Cfa úmido segundo a classificação de Koppen. A precipitação média oscila entre 1.500 a 1.700 mm e a temperatura média anual é de 18.7ºC. Os tratamentos investigados foram: a) Sem tráfego (ST); b) Tráfego do pulverizador (TP); c) Tráfego do trator (TT) e d) Tráfego máximo (TM). As principais avaliações foram: densidade do solo (Ds), macroporosidade (Ma), microporosidade (mi), porosidade total (pt), nas camadas 00-0,05; 0,05-0,10; 0,10-0,20 e 0,20-0,30 m, infiltração de água, resistência a penetração (RP), avaliação do sistema radicular e produtividade da culturas de milho e soja. Na cidade de Céu Azul, PR também foi realizado um experimento visando estudar o disciplinamento do tráfego dentro de uma lavoura comercial, com tratamentos similares aos utilizados no RS, porém com a cultura da soja. Os resultados obtidos no RS demonstraram que o tráfego de máquinas ocasionou o aumento da Ds e da RP, a redução da Ma e infiltração de água no solo, além de causar uma redução de até 24,0 e 42,0% na produtividade da cultura do milho e soja respectivamente. Foi obtida uma relação positiva (r2= 0,70) entre o aumento do número de passadas do trator e a RP. Os resultados obtidos no Paraná foram observados que os tratamentos com o tráfego de máquinas apresentaram 8% a menos na produtividade das culturas, embora as alterações nos atributos físicos do solo não sofreram alterações significativas após o tráfego. De acordo com os dois experimentos investigados, constatou-se que o sistema de tráfego controlado possui viabilidade na sua implementação e proporcionou melhoria nas condições físicas do solo e aumento na produtividade da cultura do milho e da soja no sul do Brasil.

Om bodemstructuurschade in het voorjaar te vermijden zijn de principes van berijding met lage bodemdruk en vaste rijpaden in het verleden opgepakt. De toediening van dierlijke mest op kleigrond geeft een relatief hoge bodembelasting in het voorjaar. Mest is aangevoerd via een sleepstang of via een slag op een meegevoerde afrol-oprol haspelwagen. De grond is voorbewerkt met een lichtere zodenbemester.

Bachelor thesis entitled "Methods for guidance mechanization on land in the implementation of silvicultural interventions" aims to describe GNSS systems, the principle of their function and distribution. The first section describes the functions of GNSS and its products and related systems that are involved in signal transduction. The next section is technical settings menu and set the method for the movement of the land. The next section describes growing operations spreading fertilizer, chemical treatment of crops and crop establishment methods for using GPS. The last section shows the possible future development of satellite navigation technology in agriculture.

In de aanmaak van de taakkaart wordt de werkelijke grootte van de besmetting berekend. Hiervoor is een aparte rekenmodule ontwikkeld die deze berekend volgens de wettelijke bepalingen zoals voorgeschreven door het nVWA. Op basis hiervan kan de taakkaart worden gegenereerd in het ISO-XML format. In de loop van 2013 zal ook het shape format worden ondersteunt. Met enkele voorbeelden zal de procesgang worden doorlopen. De benodigde stappen worden gevisualiseerd in de open omgeving Akkerweb. Het inlezen van de taakkaart is getest met een kunstmeststrooier. De benodigde input voor de taakkaart is minimaal.

In de aanmaak van de taakkaart wordt de werkelijke grootte van de besmetting berekend. Hiervoor is een aparte rekenmodule ontwikkeld die deze berekend volgens de wettelijke bepalingen zoals voorgeschreven door het nVWA. Op basis hiervan kan de taakkaart worden gegenereerd in het ISO-XML format. In de loop van 2013 zal ook het shape format worden ondersteunt. Met enkele voorbeelden zal de procesgang worden doorlopen. De benodigde stappen worden gevisualiseerd in de open omgeving Akkerweb. Het inlezen van de taakkaart is getest met een kunstmeststrooier. De benodigde input voor de taakkaart is minimaal.

Agricultural production systems are increasingly characterised by extensive in-field trafficking of larger and heavier field machinery. The random nature of trafficking, covering 80-90% of the field area, that is characteristic of commercial practice, inevitably leads to negative impacts on soil, water and crop characteristics because of degraded soil structures, impeded root development, yield losses, water infiltration and pollution. Remedial action requires energy, time and cost. The future development of a sustainable agricultural sector needs to balance an increase in production whilst protecting the environment. Emerging technologies and engineering solutions have stimulated a recent shift towards reduced tillage methods and coupled with the development of traffic management systems, aided by Precision Agriculture (PA), aim to reduce the severity of compaction on cropped areas whilst improving efficiency and sustainability. Low Ground Pressure (LGP) systems can facilitate random trafficking and are often used to access fields during wet conditions whilst minimising the negative effects of field traffic. Alternatively, Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) which is used predominantly in Australia confines field traffic to permanent wheel-ways and significantly reduces the total area trafficked to circa. 30% depending on working widths used. A multidisciplinary long-term project established at Harper Adams University (UK) in October 2011 is investigating the interaction between traffic and tillage on soil, crop and energy responses in a randomised and replicated study to determine the effects of Random Traffic Farming (RTF), Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) and Low Ground Pressure (LGP) systems with Deep, Shallow and Zero Tillage. The aim of this study is to develop an integrated mechanisation system to optimise soil and water resources, crop growth, yields, system performance and economics in commercial agricultural practice.

Current crop production schemes fail to offer the economic potential for reduced costs, increased yields and improved product quality, that could be derived from controlled traffic farming techniques utilizing multipurpose overhead mechanical frames. The development of new field machine technology will integrate total production under a single linear-travel system. This new technology is vital to reduce soil compaction with significantly decreased crop yield under irrigated, intensive-production conditions. This new machine technology will allow advanced chemical spray application techniques with enclosed shrouds for minimum drift. Precision planting, cultivating, plastic laying, irrigating, chemigating, harvesting (manual or mechanized) and materials handling will be accomplished by this technology. Onboard packing of more mature and thus more flavored vegetables with maximum nutrients will increase quality, reduce post-harvest losses, expand consumer acceptance and improve grower profit. Such a system could eventually serve as an automatic carrier for robot devices that would selectively harvest crops. The possibility of using electric power for this system offers higher economical potential, especially when using off-peak electricity. A versatile carriage drive with integral tool bar and hitch to mount implements, harvest elements and perform all operational functions for crop production, is an essential part of the system. Conveyors running along the mainframe will convey the yields gently out of the field. eliminating the large and heavy containers used on existing harvesting machines.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:47:14Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf: 739511 bytes, checksum: 15615eb9123a38db4f4605d758a4e298 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:47:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf: 739511 bytes, checksum: 15615eb9123a38db4f4605d758a4e298 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T19:36:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf: 739511 bytes, checksum: 15615eb9123a38db4f4605d758a4e298 (MD5) S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf.txt: 38958 bytes, checksum: 9e5d94837f261f94512d2d485dc16fc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T15:09:56Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf: 739511 bytes, checksum: 15615eb9123a38db4f4605d758a4e298 (MD5) S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf.txt: 38958 bytes, checksum: 9e5d94837f261f94512d2d485dc16fc4 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T15:09:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf: 739511 bytes, checksum: 15615eb9123a38db4f4605d758a4e298 (MD5) S0100-204X2012000400017.pdf.txt: 38958 bytes, checksum: 9e5d94837f261f94512d2d485dc16fc4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a capacidade de suporte de carga do solo em área com cana‑de‑açúcar colhida mecanicamente sem queima, em sistemas de manejo com e sem controle de tráfego agrícola. O controle de tráfego foi feito com ajuste da bitola do trator e transbordo, ou com ajuste da bitola e uso de piloto automático. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em cilindros volumétricos, na soqueira e na entrelinha da cultura (linha de rodado), nas camadas de 0,00-0,10 e 0,20-0,30 m. Avaliou-se a densidade radicular por meio de imagens, obtidas da digitalização de raízes coletadas em monólitos de 0,25x0,10x0,10 m. O manejo sem controle de tráfego apresentou maior capacidade de suporte de carga do solo na linha de plantio, nas duas camadas de solo avaliadas, o que indicou maior compactação. Maior densidade radicular ocorreu no manejo com controle de tráfego com ajuste da bitola e piloto automático, que permitiu maior capacidade de suporte de carga na linha de rodado e preservou a qualidade estrutural na região da soqueira, com reflexo positivo sobre o desenvolvimento do sistema radicular da cana‑de‑açúcar. The objective of this work was to compare the load‑carrying capacity of the soil in a mechanically harvested sugarcane area, without burning, in managements with and without controlled traffic farming. Controlled traffic was done adjusting the gauges of tractor and trailer, or adjusting the gauges and using autopilot. Soil samples were collected in volumetric cylinders in plant rows and inter‑rows (wheel rows), from 0.00-0.10 and 0.20-0.30-m soil depths. Root density was measured by images, obtained by scanning the collected roots in 0.25x0.10x0.10‑m monoliths. The management without controlled traffic showed a higher load‑carrying capacity of the soil in the planting rows, in both soil layers, which indicates a higher compaction. Greater root density occurred in the management with controlled traffic with gauge adjustment and use of autopilot, which made possible a higher load‑carrying capacity in wheel rows, and preserved structural quality in the plant rows, resulting in a greater root system development of sugarcane. Universidade Estadual de Campinas Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola Universidade Estadual Paulista Universidade Estadual Paulista

In opdracht van het Pogramma Precisielandbouw (PPL) is door PPO te Westmaas (ZH) op kleigrond een stikstof bemestingsproef uitgevoerd. De precisietoepassing van stikstofhoudende meststoffen draagt bij aan PPL doelen van energie-besparing en reductie van broeikas-emmissie in de zin dat mogelijkheden worden onderzocht om kunstmeststikstof te vervangen.

Wanneer het op trekkers en andere mechanisatie aankomt, is bodemstructuur een ondergeschoven kindje. Binnen het project BASIS in Lelystad streven onderzoekers ernaar om de bodemstructuur zoveel mogelijk te ontzien. De mechanisatie staat in dienst van de bodem, en dit wordt op verschillende manieren ingepast.

In opdracht van het Pogramma Precisielandbouw (PPL) is door PPO te Westmaas (ZH) op kleigrond een stikstof bemestingsproef uitgevoerd. De precisietoepassing van stikstofhoudende meststoffen draagt bij aan PPL doelen van energie-besparing en reductie van broeikas-emmissie in de zin dat mogelijkheden worden onderzocht om kunstmeststikstof te vervangen.

The background to the development of a two-wheel drive agricultural gantry system, its assessment and evolution into a commercial machine are described. Details of the main frame, transmission, implement attachment linkages and vehicle control systems are discussed and their performance assessed. Soil and crop responses to gantry systems are presented. A minimum power-to-weight ratio of 15 Kw/t is recommended for adequate performance. To maintain vehicle stability, the ratio of the weight on the drive wheels to that on the undriven castor wheels should not exceed 75:25. Up to 70% tillage energy savings can be made by removing all traffic from the cultivated area and plough resistance may be reduced by up to 50%. Conventional traffic on the soil increases aggregate size and reduces porosity compared with zero traffic operations. The yield of spring barley in 1991 on a clay soil was increased by around 0·75 t/ha under zero compared with conventional traffic, confirming a similar winter wheat yield response in 1990. It is concluded that suitably engineered gantries are able to carry out most operations on a farm and that they offer significant advantages over existing tractor systems in many aspects of their operation. The effect of improved boom stability on chemical applications needs to be quantified as well as the precise bout matching made possible by gantry systems.

Extent and persistence of soil and crop responses to subsoil compaction caused by vehicles with high axle loads are reviewed and methods to protect the subsoil from permanent deterioration are discussed. Traffic by vehicles with high axle loads on soils with high moisture contents generally causes deep subsoil compaction. At an axle load of 10 Mg, compaction typically penetrates to a depth of 50 cm. With still higher loads, compaction to a depth of 1 m has been reported. Subsoil compaction is very persistent. At depths of more than 40 cm it is virtually permanent even in clay soils in regions with annual freezing. Deep subsoil compaction also causes persistent and possibly permanent reductions of crop yields. Complete amelioration by mechanical loosening is usually impossible and definitely expensive. From a soil productivity point of view, limits for mechanical stresses in the subsoil are needed. These may have the form of axle load limits for the vehicles or a combination of limits for the axle load and for some other important factors, such as the ground contact pressure of the running gear or the per cent water saturation of the soil at the time of trafficking. Guidelines for such limits should preferably be worked out in an international joint effort.

Akkerbouwers tonen grote belangstelling voor verbetering van bodemkwaliteit. Dat blijkt uit een enquête in het kader van het EU-project Catch-C. In dit artikel wordt een aantal punten die in de enquete naar voren komen, besproken: toepassing van groenbemesters; gebruik compost; niet-kerende grond; vaste rijpaden; het gebruik van digestaat.

Metadata only record Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) is a farming method used to reduce soil compaction, decrease inputs, and improve soil structure when coupled with reduced-till or no-till practices. This practices utilizes permanent traffic/wheel zones to limit soil compaction to a specific area. This website provides practical information on CTF, case studies, workshops, and links to additional resources.

Op verzoek van Stichting Bodembescherming Flevoland (SBF) is een bedrijfseconomische doorrekening gemaakt van 2 rijpadensystemen. Gevraagd werd een actualisatie van eerdere berekeningen voor rijpadensysteem met aanpassingen voor de prijzen, opbrengsten en kosten op basis van onderzoek en praktijkervaringen. Naast het systeem met seizoenrijpaden is ook het nog weinig toegepaste rijpadensysteem + permanent onbereden bedden vergeleken met het standaard volvelds teeltsysteem. Deze actualisatie is gebaseerd op 4 bedrijfstypen binnen de teeltgebied Flevoland.

Binnen het project Akkerbouw in groen en blauw (AG&B) fase 2 (H-WodKa, 2010) is een prototype webapplicatie genaamd GAOS ontwikkeld voor optimalisatie van de inrichting van akkerbouwpercelen. GAOS staat voor Geo-Akker-Optimalisatie-Software. Om duidelijk richting te geven aan de door de akkerbouwpraktijk gewenste ontwikkelingen wil HWodKa GAOS benutten voor map-based Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF). Mapbased CTF volgens HWodKa is gebaseerd op een set bewerkingskaarten (geo-akkerplannen), met werklijnen voor alle bewerkingen voor alle teelten in een rotatie, met de kenmerken dat de werklijnen onderling optimaal gesitueerd zijn en dat de werklijnen optimaal gesitueerd zijn t.o.v. de perceelgrens. Het ontwerp van een programma voor de ruimtelijke planning van werklijnen t.b.v. map-based CTF is gebaseerd op versie 1 van GAOS (GAOS v1). Het ontwerp omvat o.a. de aanpassing van het optimalisatiealgoritme aan meer complexe perceelsgeometrie en ondersteuning van interactief editen van berekende akkerplannen. Dit laatste is nodig omdat de kennis en kunde die een rol spelen in de ruimtelijke inrichting van akkerbouwpercelen zich niet laten vangen in een kleine verzameling universeel toepasbare regels. Een belangrijke aanpassing t.o.v. GAOS v1 is dat in de nieuwe versie kopakkers interactief kunnen worden toegevoegd aan een geoptimalisserd patroon van rijpaden voor de rompakker. Verder vergt map-based CTF dat werkgangen voor de verschillende teelten binnen een rotatie op elkaar geconditioneerd zijn. Hieraan is in GAOS v2 tegemoet gekomen door spuitgangen van een 3m teelt vast te leggen in de database. Met een Nederlandse leverancier van autosteering apparatuur (SBG) zijn hiertoe afspraken gemaakt over de uitwisseling van deze spuitgangen met de boordcomputer.

Binnen het project Akkerbouw in groen en blauw (AG&B) fase 2 (H-WodKa, 2010) is een prototype webapplicatie genaamd GAOS ontwikkeld voor optimalisatie van de inrichting van akkerbouwpercelen. GAOS staat voor Geo-Akker-Optimalisatie-Software. Om duidelijk richting te geven aan de door de akkerbouwpraktijk gewenste ontwikkelingen wil HWodKa GAOS benutten voor map-based Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF). Mapbased CTF volgens HWodKa is gebaseerd op een set bewerkingskaarten (geo-akkerplannen), met werklijnen voor alle bewerkingen voor alle teelten in een rotatie, met de kenmerken dat de werklijnen onderling optimaal gesitueerd zijn en dat de werklijnen optimaal gesitueerd zijn t.o.v. de perceelgrens. Het ontwerp van een programma voor de ruimtelijke planning van werklijnen t.b.v. map-based CTF is gebaseerd op versie 1 van GAOS (GAOS v1). Het ontwerp omvat o.a. de aanpassing van het optimalisatiealgoritme aan meer complexe perceelsgeometrie en ondersteuning van interactief editen van berekende akkerplannen. Dit laatste is nodig omdat de kennis en kunde die een rol spelen in de ruimtelijke inrichting van akkerbouwpercelen zich niet laten vangen in een kleine verzameling universeel toepasbare regels. Een belangrijke aanpassing t.o.v. GAOS v1 is dat in de nieuwe versie kopakkers interactief kunnen worden toegevoegd aan een geoptimalisserd patroon van rijpaden voor de rompakker. Verder vergt map-based CTF dat werkgangen voor de verschillende teelten binnen een rotatie op elkaar geconditioneerd zijn. Hieraan is in GAOS v2 tegemoet gekomen door spuitgangen van een 3m teelt vast te leggen in de database. Met een Nederlandse leverancier van autosteering apparatuur (SBG) zijn hiertoe afspraken gemaakt over de uitwisseling van deze spuitgangen met de boordcomputer.

Toepassing van seizoenrijpaden kan economisch perspectief bieden voor gangbare akkerbouwbedrijven. Daarvoor is een beperkte productiestijging nodig, van vier à vijf procent. Op biologische bedrijven zijn rijpaden al eerder rendabel, bij een opbrengstijging een tot drie procent. Dit blijkt uit een bedrijfseconomische studie bij vier bedrijfstypen.

Rijpadensystemen bieden veel praktische voordelen. Sommige bedrijven werken met seizoenrijpaden, andere willen een stap verder gaan door ook bewerkingen en het oogsten vanaf vaste paden te doen. Of de extra kosten worden terugverdiend, verschilt per bedrijf. Voor biologische bedrijfstypen blijken rijpaden al bij een geringe opbrengstijging rendabel.

Op verzoek van Stichting Bodembescherming Flevoland (SBF) is een bedrijfseconomische doorrekening gemaakt van 2 rijpadensystemen. Gevraagd werd een actualisatie van eerdere berekeningen voor rijpadensysteem met aanpassingen voor de prijzen, opbrengsten en kosten op basis van onderzoek en praktijkervaringen. Naast het systeem met seizoenrijpaden is ook het nog weinig toegepaste rijpadensysteem + permanent onbereden bedden vergeleken met het standaard volvelds teeltsysteem. Deze actualisatie is gebaseerd op 4 bedrijfstypen binnen de teeltgebied Flevoland.

This paper presents a targeted approach for the estimation of the operational machinery costs on an annual basis in controlled traffic farming (CTF) systems. The approach combines four sub-models based on existing algorithmic approaches, to evaluate the consequences in terms of machinery performance of different driving directions when establishing tramlines in a CTF system. The first two sub-models refer to the geometrical attributes (overlapped areas, effective and turning travelled distances, coordinates of the tramlines, headland passes, etc.) of the field–machinery combination, while the other two models are related to the execution of material handling operations (i.e., fertilising and harvesting) under the restrictions imposed by the CTF. A case study is presented regarding two fields for a reduced tillage machinery system. Based on the results, it was shown that in the CTF the rule that the driving direction parallel to the longest field edge is the optimal one does not apply. Specifically, in the case of the second field, there is a cost decrease of 9% in terms of annual operational cost when the direction of the tramlines is changed from parallel to the longest edge of the field to parallel to the shortest one. This divergence from the conventional rule is caused by the traffic restrictions imposed by the CTF system and the subsequent differences in the resulting overlapped areas in spraying and seeding, unloading times in harvesting, in-field transport in fertilising, and headland turnings, for each specific driving direction.

Two machinery operations in two different fields were monitored and analysed. The operations involved slurry applications carried out by machinery systems involving an application unit (AU) and a refilling unit (RU). The application systems consisted of an un-controlled traffic farming (UCTF) system and the controlled traffic farming (CTF) system. The results of the experimental operation were used to estimate the operational parameters of the modelled field efficiency. In the one case, the operation was simulated following the CTF system while in the other case it followed the UCTF system. The results show that the implementation of the CTF system rather than the UCTF system significantly increases the in-field transport distance travelled by the AU. The reduction in-field efficiency, in terms of transport distance, ranged from 4.68% to 7.41%. In addition to the analysis of the observed and simulated field traffic patterns, the value of the applied simulation model as a tactical and operational planning tool was also demonstrated. It was possible to evaluate different user configurations in terms of work pattern, machine dimension, and location of the RU in the field and to estimate the effect on the field efficiency.

Meting van de uitstoot van de broeikasgassen lachgas, methaan en koolzuurgas bij drie (biologische) teeltsystemen: Teeltsysteem met beperkte berijding maar met standaard hoofd grondbewerking; Teelstysteem met onbereden bedden en minimale grondbewerking; Teeltsysteem met standaard grondbewerking en berijding. De resultaten van de metingen aan lachgas en methaan waren wisselend. Wat betreft de uitstoot van koolzuurgas werd een tendens voor lagere gehalten gevonden bij de twee systemen met beperkte berijding en /of verminderde grondbewerking.

The cycle of traffic-induced soil compaction and tillage is a major inefficiency of current mechanised agriculture, where random field traffic wastes energy, damages soil structure and imposes other negative consequences. Controlled traffic farming (CTF) restricts compaction to precise traffic lanes, where it improves wheel performance, allowing natural, uncompromised soil processes and productivity over most of the field. The principles and practices of controlled traffic in Australia, UK and the Netherlands are explained and an overview of worldwide CTF research is provided. Immediate benefits of CTF include reduced fossil energy use and improved field efficiency, with better infiltration and drainage reducing run-off and erosion. Indirect effects include timeliness benefits with more workable days, reduced waterlogging, denitrification and greenhouse gas emissions, and enhanced soil biological activity with improved organic matter levels. Equipment and system changes are necessary to achieve controlled traffic, but adoption reduces costs, increases yields and provides better financial and environmental performance.

Meting van de uitstoot van de broeikasgassen lachgas, methaan en koolzuurgas bij drie (biologische) teeltsystemen: Teeltsysteem met beperkte berijding maar met standaard hoofd grondbewerking; Teelstysteem met onbereden bedden en minimale grondbewerking; Teeltsysteem met standaard grondbewerking en berijding. De resultaten van de metingen aan lachgas en methaan waren wisselend. Wat betreft de uitstoot van koolzuurgas werd een tendens voor lagere gehalten gevonden bij de twee systemen met beperkte berijding en /of verminderde grondbewerking.

The adverse effect of soil over-compaction on crop production efficiency was the basis for a programme to assess soil and crop responses to a zero traffic regime based on a 12 m gantry. The vehicle and its operating system, together with tasks ranging from fertilizer and spray application to draught and powered cultivations and cereals harvesting, are described. Results indicated that the gantry was a practical means of separating the cropped and wheeled (zero traffic) areas of a field. Cultivation draught and energy savings of up to 50% and 70%, respectively, were identified on a clay soil where traffic was eliminated from the cropped area. There was also evidence that this regime resulted in significant improvements to soil structure and crop establishment. The average yield of wheat from the zero traffic plots in 1989 was 6.8 t ha −1 , compared with 5.7 t ha −1 from the conventionally managed soil. In the dry season of 1989–1990, the yield of oats was not differentially affected by treatment.

Diverse akkerbouwers zijn overgestapt naar een teeltsysteem waarbij slechts een beperkt deel van de oppervlakte wordt bereden. Door de ontwikkeling van navigatiesystemen is het mogelijk om gebruik te maken van vaste rijpaden. Als u zich afvraagt of rijpadenteelt aantrekkelijk is voor uw bedrijf dan helpt dit Biokennisbericht u om een afweging te maken. Verder vindt u aandachtspunten bij introductie en uitvoering van rijpadenteelt

Some organic arable and vegetable farms in the Netherlands use cm-precise guidance of machinery to restrict wheel traffic to fixed traffic lanes and to achieve non-trafficked cropping zones with optimized soil structure in between the lanes. Contrary to controlled traffic farming (CTF) the traffic lanes are not yet used for harvesting and primary tillage. Therefore, the system is called a seasonal-controlled traffic farming (SCTF) system. A field experiment was conducted on an organic vegetable farm to reveal soil, crop and emission responses of SCTF with traffic lanes at 3.15-m centres compared with conventional random traffic farming (RTF) using low ground pressures in spring from 2002 till 2005. The traffic systems were investigated in the crops green pea ( Pisum sativum L.), spinach ( Spinacea oleracea L.), onions ( Allium cepa L.) and carrots ( Daucus carota L.). Compared with RTF, the topsoil structure in the SCTF system improved for the crops sown on the flat but not for carrot grown on ridges. Crop yields increased significantly in green pea, spinach and planted onion sets but not in carrot and direct-sown onion. The available N-min at the end of the cropping period was not different between systems and, therefore, leaching losses in winter are expected to be the same. SCTF resulted in a significant reduction of N 2 O emissions (by 20–50% compared to RTF). For CH 4 , application of the SCTF system resulted in increased CH 4 uptake (by a factor 5–20) compared to the RTF system in three of the four measured fields. At the fourth field, lower (but not significant) CH 4 emissions (by a factor 4) were measured in the SCTF system compared to RTF. Effects of SCTF on timeliness and on the economic feasibility are discussed.

Diverse akkerbouwers zijn overgestapt naar een teeltsysteem waarbij slechts een beperkt deel van de oppervlakte wordt bereden. Door de ontwikkeling van navigatiesystemen is het mogelijk om gebruik te maken van vaste rijpaden. Als u zich afvraagt of rijpadenteelt aantrekkelijk is voor uw bedrijf dan helpt dit Biokennisbericht u om een afweging te maken. Verder vindt u aandachtspunten bij introductie en uitvoering van rijpadenteelt

Seasonal controlled traffic farming (SCTF), i.e. CTF without using the permanent traffic lanes for harvesting and primary soil tillage, leads to improved soil structure, higher crop yields, significant reduction of the emission of nitrous oxide and increased uptake of methane. Improved timeliness of operations, easier mechanical weed control and favourable returns on investments are considered practical advantages of SCTF. Further improvements, including reduced tillage, seem possible by avoiding overcompaction of the soil in the cropping beds during harvesting. The objective of the research was to find out what ground pressures can be applied without compromising soil structure and subsequent growth of a green manure crop, i.e. without tilling the topsoil after compression. No driving over the beds (ground pressure = 0) and simulation of harvesting with equipment requiring tyre inflation pressures of respectively 40, 60 and 80 kPa were investigated. Under dry or moist (field capacity) soil conditions support of harvesting machinery on the planting bed with tyres inflated to 0.4 bar did not lead to severe compaction and subsequent yield reductions.

Seasonal controlled traffic farming (SCTF), i.e. CTF without using the permanent traffic lanes for harvesting and primary soil tillage, leads to improved soil structure, higher crop yields, significant reduction of the emission of nitrous oxide and increased uptake of methane. Improved timeliness of operations, easier mechanical weed control and favourable returns on investments are considered practical advantages of SCTF. Further improvements, including reduced tillage, seem possible by avoiding overcompaction of the soil in the cropping beds during harvesting. The objective of the research was to find out what ground pressures can be applied without compromising soil structure and subsequent growth of a green manure crop, i.e. without tilling the topsoil after compression. No driving over the beds (ground pressure = 0) and simulation of harvesting with equipment requiring tyre inflation pressures of respectively 40, 60 and 80 kPa were investigated. Under dry or moist (field capacity) soil conditions support of harvesting machinery on the planting bed with tyres inflated to 0.4 bar did not lead to severe compaction and subsequent yield reductions.

A literature review was conducted to collate best practice techniques for soil compaction management within cotton-farming systems in Australia. Universally negative effects of traffic-induced soil compaction on the whole-farm system and the wider environment include: (i) increased gap between attainable and potential yields, (ii) increased costs of energy and labour, (iii) reduced fertiliser-use efficiency, (iv) reduced water use efficiency (irrigation and rainfall), (v) increased tillage intensity. Knowledge gaps that merit research priority, and research strategies, are suggested. These include: (i) identifying wider impacts on farm economics to guide decision-making and development of decision support systems that capture the effects of compaction on fertiliser, water, and energy use efficiency; (ii) predicting risks at the field or subfield scale and implementing precision management of traffic compaction; (iii) canopy management at terminal stages of the crop cycle to manipulate soil-moisture deficits before crop harvest, thereby optimising trafficability for harvesting equipment; (iv) the role of controlled traffic farming (CTF) in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and loss of soil organic carbon, and in enhancing fertiliser and water-use efficiencies; (v) recent developments in tyre technology, such as low ground-pressure tyres, require investigation to assess their cost-effectiveness compared with other available options; and (vi) catchment-scale modelling incorporating changes in arable land-use, such as increased area under CTF coupled with no- or minimum-tillage, and variable rate technology is suggested. Such modelling should assess the potential of CTF and allied technologies to reduce sediment and nutrient losses, and improve water quality in intensively managed arable catchments. Resources must be efficiently managed within increasingly sophisticated farming systems to enable long-term economic viability of cotton production. Agronomic and environmental performance of cotton farming systems could be improved with a few changes, and possibly, at a reasonable cost. Key to managing soil compaction appears to be encouraging increased adoption of CTF. This process may benefit from financial support to growers, such as agri-environmental stewardships, and it would be assisted by product customisation from machinery manufacturers.

Een aantal biologische tellers is recent overgegaan op een teeltsysteem met vaste rijpaden en daartussen brede onbereden teeltbedden. Aangetoond is dat hierdoor een goede bodemstructuur in het groeiseizoen en andere voordelen gerealiseerd kunnen worden. Echter, tijdens de oogst en het ploegen wordt nog gewoon over het land gereden. Als ook de oogst bodemvriendelijker uitgevoerd zou worden zijn verdere verbeteringen van de bodemstructuur (langere termijn structuurvorming) te verwachten. Mogelijk is ploegen dan vaak niet meer nodig. Minder intensieve grondbewerking betekent o.a. besparing op kosten en energie. Onderzoek is gaande naar welke gronddruk (en banddruk) onder verschillende bodemomstandigheden nog toelaatbaar is om schade aan de bodemstructuur te voorkomen. Anticiperend op de uitkomsten hiervan is de doelstelling van het voorliggende rapport om te inventariseren wat momenteel de technische mogelijkheden zijn om een lage gronddruk bij oogst en transport te realiseren. Voor de inventarisatie is uitgebreid gezocht op internet en werd informatie bij fabrikanten opgevraagd

Some organic farms in the Netherlands use RTK-DGPS guidance of machinery over fixed traffic lanes to achieve non-trafficked cropping zones with optimum soil structure. These lanes are not yet used for harvesting and primary tillage. The potential of such a seasonal controlled traffic farming (SCTF) system was evaluated. In an on-farm field experiment in green pea, spinach, onions and carrots, SCTF with traffic lanes at 3.15-m centres was compared with conventional random traffic farming (RTF) using low ground pressures in spring from 2002 till 2005. Compared with RTF, the topsoil structure in the SCTF system improved, also in terms of lower spatial variability, for the crops sown on the flat but not for carrot grown on ridges. Crop yields increased significantly in green pea, spinach and planted onion but not in carrot and sown onion. SCTF resulted in a reduction of N2O emissions by 20-50%, and reduced CH4 emissions by a factor 2-12 when compared with RTF. SCTF was economically feasible for hypothetical 50-ha and 200-ha organic farms. An important advantage of SCTF over RTF is the increase in number of days that field operations can be executed. Keywords: Controlled Traffic Farming, Organic, Nitrous oxide