"Whole Buncher" helps farmers and the environment

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

A simple device that attaches to the back of a combine can help cattle producers keep their winter feed costs down, and help the environment, too.

"It was a pilot project for the province that proved to be successful," said Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Forage Development Specialist Lorne Klein.

In 2005, the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association obtained funding through the federal Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Program to obtain six specialized pieces of equipment produced by A.J. Manufacturing in Balzac, Alberta. SAF got involved in helping to set up the project.

The mechanism, called a "Whole Buncher," looks like a giant pitchfork that attaches to the back of a combine and collects crop residue, rather than having it spread across the field. When around 150 pounds of chaff and straw land on the tines of the device, it tips, the pile drops off, and it springs back into position.

"Instead of the crop residue being baled and hauled to the cattle, the piles are left in the field for the livestock to graze on during fall and winter," Klein explains. "This reduces the amount of fuel that would ordinarily need to be burned in the feed production process. As a result, it's a much 'greener' approach, and it reduces the input costs to the farmer."

Five of the six Whole Bunchers were provided to cattle producers to try out. The sixth went to the Western Beef Development Centre, a research farm near Lanigan.

"One of the concerns with this method of crop residue collection was how it might affect the crop on that field in the following year," said Klein. "But we've found that there really is no detriment."

He noted, "The producers testing the Whole Buncher grew crops afterwards with no problem, provided the piles are cleaned up reasonably well."

However, Klein indicated there are a few considerations that farmers would have to take into account before using the device.

First, since cattle will be released to graze there afterwards, producers will want to use it on fields that are fenced or can be fenced.

Second, if there is relatively little snow during the winter, the field will require a water source.

Third, some form of shelter, be it bush, trees, a creek area, a portable windbreak or some other form of protection, will be needed if cattle are to remain there for a period of time.

With these measures looked after, the findings from the trial period showed the Whole Buncher can deliver positive benefits to Saskatchewan cattle producers, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the course of the crop year.

Farmers interested in obtaining more information on the benefits or cost of the device can contact A.J. Manufacturing at (403) 226-0767.

For further information, contact:

Lorne Klein, Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 848-2382
e-mail: lklein@agr.gov.sk.ca

A.J. Manufacturing
Balzac, Alberta
Phone: (403) 226-0767