Publication Date

8-2024

Series Number

DPIRD-130

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

City

Perth

Abstract

Controlled traffic farming (CTF) is a farming system built on permanent wheel tracks where the crop zone and traffic lanes are permanently separated. It can improve profitability and sustainability.

Implements for seeding, spraying, spreading and harvesting have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.

CTF increases profit by more yield, better grain quality, improved operation timeliness, and reduced costs. The environment can improve, with less nutrient leaching, less water erosion, better water infiltration, and less greenhouse gas emission. Implementation needs a clear, long-term plan, and prioritisation of soil health.

Another term that is commonly used for controlled traffic farming is ‘tramline farming’. Controlled traffic farming and tramline farming have been used interchangeably in Australia. Worldwide, ‘controlled traffic farming’ is the more broadly used term for a system with permanent traffic lanes. In Europe, ‘Tramlining’ refers to seasonal wheel tracks that are commonly used for spraying and usually replaced each year.

Number of Pages

9

Keywords

Controlled traffic farming (CTF), Increased profit, Increased crop yield, Tramline farming, Reduced fertilisers usage, Environmental benefits, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) 2 cm guidance

Disciplines

Agribusiness | Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Education | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Environmental Monitoring | Hydrology | Plant Biology | Soil Science | Water Resource Management

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