Controlled traffic farming technical manual
Publication Date
2013
Publisher
NACC
ISBN
978-0-9923323-03
Abstract
Controlled Traffic Farming (CTF) is:
‘a crop production system in which the crop zone and the traffic lanes are distinctly and permanently separated. In practice it means that all implements have a particular span, or multiple of it, and all wheel tracks are confined to specific traffic lanes.’ (Baker and Saxton 2007).
This separates the paddock into two zones:
1) root bed—soft uncompact soil for growing crop or pasture
2) roads (permanent traffic lanes or wheel tracks)— firm compact lines for running machinery on (at least for wheel loads greater than about one tonne).
Benefits include higher crop income from greater yield and better grain quality and improved input efficiency from less overlap, better access for in-crop operations and less fuel use from running on firm tracks. CTF also generates agronomic opportunities such as inter-row sowing, shielded or banded spraying, relay planting and easy on-farm trials. Higher crop income comes from better access to crop nutrients and water, as well as greater potential to compete with weeds and minimise invasion of root diseases.
Number of Pages
80
Keywords
controlled traffic farming, farm systems, crop zones, traffic lanes
Disciplines
Agricultural Education | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences
Recommended Citation
Isbister, B,
Blackwell, P,
Riethmuller, G,
Davies, S,
Whitlock, A,
and
Neale, T.
(2013), Controlled traffic farming technical manual. NACC, Perth. Report.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fc_publishedrpts/14
Maps
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Comments
This Controlled Traffic Farming Technical Manual is published by NACC and replaces the Department of Agriculture Tramline Farming Systems: Technical Manual Bulletin 4607