Soria and Segovia hosting a seminar on energy savings and conservation agriculture
October 22, 2008
Thematic stations
The rapporteurs of this station were Francisco Márquez García (Department of Rural engineering of the University of Córdoba and technician of the Aeac-SV), José Cañero Lopez and Alfonso Guillén, both from the Department of Rural engineering of the University of Córdoba, who explained how the direct seeding requires a specific machinery for its implementation. Thus, used heavier seeders which may well be bars, very similar to conventional ones, but with the largest number of rows of arms, or disc, which rotate and cut the stubble thanks to various elements of court.
On the other hand, the thematic station focused on saving energy from the point of view of the proper functioning of the machinery for the application of plant protection products. In this sense, was presented a protocol maintenance and calibration of machines including determinations and tests specified in European standards of environmental protection, 12761-2: 2001 for hydraulic sprayers (bars), and 12761-3: 2001, to air sprays (spray).
• Rotations in conservation agriculture
This station was developed by Jesús Martínez Aragón, President of the Ntra cooperative in Soria. Ms. La Antigua (Fuentes de Valdepero, Palencia) and in Segovia by Aurora Hat Sacristán, researcher of the agrarian technological Institute of Castilla and Leon (ITACyL).
Aragon presented the cooperative Nuestra Señora La Antigua, in Palencia, and explained the rotations employed in the area, including an analysis of profitability of them and explaining the advantages and disadvantages encountered in the practical application of these techniques and how they are perfectly feasible.
Furthermore, Aurora Sombrero explained that the production of crops in dry land in the Centre-North of Spain is low and unstable due mainly to the precipitation during the vegetative cycles of crops is limited, its distribution is irregular and evaporation is high. The climate, semi-arid is the main limiting factor for agricultural production in these areas. In addition, the soil in these areas have a content low in organic matter and the structure of them is so fragile. In addition, he analyzed from the economic and energy point of view the effect of the systems of tillage and crop rotations.
• Efficient use of plant protection and weed control
The Rapporteur of this season on both occasions was Antonio Valera Gil, Dr agronomist of the Valenzuela y CIA, S.A., company who spoke of the integrated management of weeds, which begins with the identification of them to be able to define a strategy of control depending on its capacity to infestationgermination of seeds, cycle of life, etc.
Emilio González Sánchez, Director of the Aeac-SV, reviewed during the Conference the benefits of conservation agriculture, which not only focus on saving energy and costs for the farmer, but extend to important aspects such as the fight against erosionthe best use of water in the ground, the increase of the natural fertility of the soil, improving the quality of water and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
"Castilla y León is the cradle where he was born in Spain direct seeding, but unfortunately, it is one of the autonomous communities that still does not provide for agri-environmental aid in favour of these techniques," recalled González. For this reason, the Director of the Association requested those responsible for the regional administration that drive these techniques of future.
On the day, the Lleida company Casimiro machines deployed wings of the Casimir Jacto sprayer. The new model, guided by satellite, presents a wide spread of 24 metres in various heights. In addition, it has the system of air Vortex Jacto, able to spray even with arms in the highest position.
"No to lose these days." "Never ceases to amaze me see different machines working in their environment, the field", said Casimiro Martinez, Manager Manager of Casimiro machines at its end. "We must congratulate the Aeac-SV Association because it has offered an excellent staging," he concluded.
