The TerraBlade inter-row hoe is a low-cost, mechanical method of controlling weeds in band-sown crops.
By keeping the unseeded rows clear of farm weeds during the early stages of crop growth, competition for nutrients, light, air and water is reduced and the young plants can grow away strong and healthy.
The manually steered TerraBlade works as a weed remover machine and has the potential to improve crop yields, drastically lower the potential for carry-over of weed seeds and reduce the risk of more resistant types developing.
Although designed for the Claydon Opti-Till® System, the inter-row hoe can be used in any band-sown crops.
FAQ’s
The TerraBlade reduces weed competition so there is more light, air, moisture and nutrients available for the growing crop. Taking out weeds means there is less weed seed to germinate and carry over into the next year’s crop, so reducing the overall weed burden.
The inter-row hoe performs best when the conditions are not wet and soft. The soil should be dry but not hard, and with a friable, textured topsoil. Typically a good time of year for hoeing is spring, up to the stage where the crop might by compromised by further passes, or in autumn, where early drilled crops may be sufficiently well developed.