SUMO DD - Direct Drill

The DD System

The DD system is based on the zero-till approach to farming. This system allows crop residues to be left in the field which the DD coulter will aid the incorporation of into the soil profile, this adds organic matter to the soil which aids structure and the health of the microbes and worms which live within the soil. Residues also provide cover for the soil at a critical time of the year and moisture is also locked into these areas and is ready for young crops to use.

This practice reduces the need for cultivations over time because as the soil structure improves, natural drainage, organic soil matter levels, weight carrying capacity and soil fertility improve, too. Farming in this way is proven to lower input costs, create a soil environment well-suited to strong yields, and protects the environment from carbon loss.

The incredibly simple drill coulter only loosens the minimum amount of soil for seed placement by only loosening the area in which the seed will germinate and the narrow spacing between 187.5mm - 208mm, depending on the width of drill, gives the crop a higher competitiveness against weeds, thus reducing the need for herbicide applications and/or mechanical methods.

Due to the minimum depth being disturbed the power required to operate this type of drill is less than min till methods, this then means smaller (and lighter) tractors can be used, also reducing the fuel, labour and machinery costs. With the reduction in soil disturbance, less weed germination will take place reducing the competition for the crop and less weed eradication (spray or mechanical operations) is necessary.

The DD is just at home establishing, and drilling into, green cover. Green cover needs to be managed in a similar way to stubble in keeping the root structure undisrupted and trash evenly distributed.

Designed and manufactured in Britain, the DD features our own Orga metering unit capable of dispensing a wide range of seeds and fertilisers with varying rates.