Boom spreader improves application windows and accuracy

Using a boom fertiliser spreader might not be the first choice for most growers’ spring nutrition.

But improved granular accuracy, wider application windows, and a greater choice of fertiliser options compared to liquid, means one North Yorkshire farmer is benefiting in numerous ways.

The right tool for the right job is how Patrick Swiers runs his streamlined farming operation at Briars Hill Farm in Sessay, North Yorkshire.

His crop protection and nutrition machinery include a lightweight sprayer and the latest Kuhn Aero 32.1 mounted boom fertiliser spreader, the latter offering flexibility to apply granular fertiliser in windy conditions.

The two machines complement each other, with the sprayer able to complete its workload when the wind is calm, while the Aero boom spreader capable of granular fertiliser applications when a traditional twin disc machine would be stopped.

His system is based around one full time member of staff handling nearly all arable tasks on the farm. Patrick has been an Aero convert ever since Kuhn launched its first 24m version back in 1990.

He was also one of the first to switch to these types of machines in the early 80s to accurately apply fertiliser to 12m, instead of using a wagtail spreader or single disc machine.

Patrick explains that the Aero brings numerous benefits to the farm that he wouldn’t get with a twin disc spreader or by moving to liquid.

“I’ve always wanted to achieve the highest accuracy possible for granular fertiliser spreading over a 24m width, and the Aero is second to none.

Moving to liquid wasn’t an option for me, I like having control of where and what products I buy to benefit the crops and not being reliant on hauliers or merchants to keep liquid tanks topped up in the busy period.”

The 400ha farm is split across two ring fenced sites two miles apart.

A large percentage of hybrid rye is now grown to deal with a persistent ryegrass problem, with the rest a mix of wheat and spring barley, with some maize grown for a local AD plant and dairy farmer.

Greater fertiliser choice

The flexibility to purchase different grades of fertiliser and apply them accurately to 24m is a key reason why the Aero made financial sense for Patrick. He can confidently buy any type of fertiliser – urea, blends, micronutrients – and apply them all as accurately as liquid.

This helps keep nutrition costs competitive and allows him to shop around should prices not suit. It also means the ballistic qualities of fertiliser for spreading is no longer a primary consideration and he can consider different ways to apply micronutrients.

“I like being in control with all the fertiliser on farm ahead of the spring so I can apply it when the crop requires it.

“I know that with the Aero, I’m applying my granular fertiliser as accurately as possible and not overapplying on ends or when turning. It’s like driving a sprayer with the accuracy to match.”

The Kuhn Aero 32.1 has 20 outlets across the 24m boom, split into four sections.

Each section has a separate metering unit allowing four different rates in a single pass, which is useful when working from prescription maps.

Outlets are positioned to the edge of the boom, covering the whole width evenly, without overapplication to areas that don’t require it, such as field margins.  

Further benefits to the Aero are the separate metering rollers for different products.

Avadex, slug pellets and even small seed cover crops can be applied using the Aero 32.1, with improved accuracy compared with small disc hoppers on the rear of a UTV.

Increased application windows

Patrick says the wider spreading windows are a major benefit of the machine and allow his crop protection and nutrition to be handled by one operator at optimum application timings.

“Our system is streamlined to a point where we will spray until the weather doesn’t allow.

“This means that early mornings we could get four or five hours spraying in before the wind gets too strong, then head out with the Aero to continue fertilising.

“The wind has very little effect on granule placement as the outlets are positioned directly above the intended area.”

Patrick’s latest Aero arrived in 2024, following two seasons with a pre-production Aero 32.1, purchased through Ripon Farm Services, and he says the improvements over his previous machine are excellent.

This latest model has 24-30m boom width options and a lot of the technology and design from the larger Kuhn AGT trailed boom spreaders has been applied to the mounted model.

These include stronger booms with improved suspension and break back sections, while large capacity fans can apply higher rates and maintain good forward speeds.

A weighing system matches application rate to speed and automatically adjusts on the go.

The diffusers on the end of each outlet can also be reversed when spreading into tall crops and output of the Aero is comparable to a twin disc spreader, but with added flexibility. 

“I don’t believe we are far away from a twin disc output,” says Patrick.

“At 250kg/ha, we can achieve 80ha in an afternoon at forward speeds of 15kph, without pushing too hard.

“However, when you consider the other benefits of applying when it suits us, the application windows are much wider so we can take our time to ensure the job is right.”  

The weight of the Aero is greater than a twin disc machine, but increased spreading days and being supported with fertiliser in the field means the spreader doesn’t need to travel full all the time.

In the cab, there’s a Kuhn touchscreen interface for manual control of the four sections, with the option to have auto section control if required.

Patrick concludes that the Aero system offers him the widest flexibility for crop nutrition.

“I don’t think there is another machine on the market that offers me as many options to choose the type of fertiliser I want, and when I want to apply it.

“I have the application accuracy of liquid, but the flexibility to choose granular – it’s the best of both worlds for me.”