STOCKS AG RELEASE NEW APPLICATOR METERING ROLLERS TO COPE WITH THE RAPID EXPANSION IN SEED MIXTURES

In response to the demand for applying a wider range of crops and seed mixtures, Stocks Ag has launched a new metering roller purpose-built for SFI seed mixtures and cover crop use. Developed to overcome the challenges of applying increasingly diverse seed sizes at vastly differing application rates, the new roller enables farmers to upgrade their existing applicators, ensuring accurate and consistent application as seed mixture options for stewardship mixes, SFI and cover crops continue to expand.

What has brought about the need for these new seed rollers?

“We are no longer being asked to apply a simple grass seed mixture” explains Tim Farrow, Technical Director at Stocks Ag.

“Over the past few years, we have had an increasing number of requests from customers for seed rollers that can cope with wildly varying shapes and sizes of seed in the same mix. The advent of SFI and increased interest in establishing cover crops has only amplified this demand further in the last two years. Seeds such as mustard, buckwheat, sunflower, and vetch in the same mix were quite a challenge and Stocks can now deliver!”

“This diversification of seed mixes has been driven by Defra’s SOH2 and SOH3 funding for utilising multi-species cover crops and the host of different SFI seed mix options. These new blends often contain a wide variety of shape and size seeds. The new 14 Tooth Medium Roller has a flexible tipped vane which ensures smooth distribution of diverse seed shapes, guaranteeing a precise and accurate mix is sown. Stocks can also configure bespoke seed rollers with different numbers of metering segments to suit the application required.”

What kind of testing have these feed rollers been put through?

“We have been manufacturing seed rollers for thirty years and have had numerous samples of granule and seed to work on,” explains Tim.

“These seed rollers have been developed with many years of experience and have been thoroughly tested over the past twelve months, with numerous crop mixes.”

Can I use these rollers in my current machine?

“These new rollers fit in all existing feed blocks, so farmers and contractors can upgrade their current Fan Jet, Rotor Meter, Rotor Jet and Turbo Jet machines to handle these multi-species seed mixes by changing the feed rollers out or purchasing a new feed block completely assembled. Easily ordered direct-to-door via the newly launched my.stocks-ag.co.uk platform.”