Bridgeway Aerator in Operation

Why Aerate

Poor crop colour, patchy growth and declining yields!  Sounds familiar?  Traditional solutions have been to plough and reseed but this is costly and loses the benefit of the mixture of grasses and clovers which exist on mature pasture and silage ground.  Better to cultivate your grassland - manage it through regular slitting and shattering of compaction zones which cause many of these problems but do it at the right time and in combination with other grass improvement activities.

• Grow more Grass
• Grow better quality grass
• Maximise grazed grass
• Maximise grazing days

Farmers know that grazed grass is the cheapest source of energy for livestock and that grass silage is more economic than compound feeds.

We also know from research that maximising grazed grass in diets can improve milk yield and quality as well as improved daily live weight gain.

• In addition, research has shown that every extra days grazing can be worth up to €2.70 per animal per day
• So why aren't you managing your grassland to its maximum potential?

Mr John Burke and his brother Jimmy run one of the country's finest dairy herds in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. "By aerating, we are now able to let our cows out earlier in Spring, and we are able to rotate paddocks more efficiently. Our quality of grass was improved significantly, which means profit."

Benefits of Aeration

Better Water penetration leading to less ponding and better fertiliser take up Increased water and air pore spaces in the soil structure leading to improved root growth and nutrient movement Roots can penetrate deeper and the crop will be more resistant during periods of drought Less run off during slurry spreading with increased nutrient absorbtion Aeration increases worm presence in soil and encourages greater movement Fertiliser bills reduce as application is more effective and yields faster results Grazing days will increase as pasture can be opened earlier in the Spring and later in the Autumn Increased grass growth Improved crop colour Reduced vets bills as animal health improves

Each extra days grazing is worth up to €2.70 per cow equating to €1,900 per week based on 100 cow dairy herd, by reducing housing and feed costs and also increasing milk yields

Mr Val Ledwith, Rathgegan Herd, Co. Meath, is one of Ireland's best known Hereford breeders. "I purchased a 3m aerator with roller and clover seeder from Bridgeway.  I am delighted with the quality of grass produced, and now with more clover in the swarth, I can see the improvement in my stock."

Bridge Aerator Low Cost Grass Maximisation Programme

1. Use the Bridgeway Grassland Aerator in Autumn after grazing.  Our experience has been that increasing the tine barrel angle to 10 degrees during autumn aeration yields improved results
2. If repeating aeration in same field always travel at right angles to previous track
3. Repeat in Spring as soon as land conditions permit
4. Use the optional scarifier and seed broadcaster to revitalise the crop and encourage new growth
5. On silage ground we recommend aerate at 0 degrees
6. Aeration prior to fertiliser spreading can reduce your requirements by up to 50%
7. Aeration prior to spreading slurry enables you to spread more without risk of runoff
8. Slurry will enter Aerated ground faster and reduce volatilisation (Nitrogen loss to air as ammonia).  Consider front linkage mounting your Bridgeway aerator for a one pass solution, but remember to turn the tine rotors!
9. Aerate after intensive grazing (e.g. when topping) or after significant traffic such as silage harvesting to allow your fields recuperate faster
10. Consider having your soil analysed by your farm advisory service.  This will enable you to identify further action which can be taken to improve your yields and quality

Mr Jim Kelly, Manager at the renowned Jim Bolger horse training studfarm in Coolcullen, Co. Carlow. "We require quality grass at all times for our horses.  By aerating we can achieve this.  We are so happy with the performance of the Bridgeway Aerator that we have now purchased 3 16ft folding aerators from Bridgeway"

Optional Extras

Combination Grass Seeder - One pass solution for reseeding	Wheel Kit - For ease of transport between locations	Scarifier Bar - 2 sets of grass harrow tines to rake dead grass, thatch, moss and cowpats

Mr George Hayes, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary, beef producer of Aubrac cattle. "I examined many brands of aerators before I purchased a 3M aerator from Bridgeway.  I saw the results immediately and am now using less fertiliser and utilising my slurry more efficiently.  Every serious farmer should have a Bridgeway aerator."

Phone: 090 9674996 / 086 8119154 | Fax: 090 9674270 | email: bridgeway@eircom.net