TILLAGE-LIVE, the national cultivation event that draws thousands of farmers, returns to Croft, near Darlington, next month after a 10 year absence.

The event – at Croft Farms on Wednesday, September 16th – features ploughs, cultivation and seedbed preparation equipment, drills, sprayers and guidance systems.

As well as static displays, there will be working demonstrations and opportunities for farmers to try out some of the equipment themselves. A special area will allow operators to drive the latest sprayers and experience using guidance and auto-steer equipped tractors and machines.

Another demonstration area will see exhibitors make one run with a piece of machinery, accompanied by a commentary explaining the benefits it can offer.

The annual event is organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

Duncan Russell, AEA services manager, said: "Complementing the machinery demonstrations and static exhibits is the Tillage-Live Knowledge Trail which provides a detailed look at the key soil issues with the popular soil pit, helping visitors understand what is happening beneath the surface, showing how to correctly identify compaction and pinpoint its causes.

"The role of various implements in repairing compaction and the wider issues of preserving soil structure will also be discussed."

The AEA will also launch a national fertiliser spreader testing protocol to ensure all spreaders – disc, boom and pendulum – are tested to the same exacting standards.

The National Spreader Testing Scheme (NSTS), will sit alongside the AEA’s National Sprayer Testing Scheme, and covers economic, environmental and compliance issues.

Mr Russell, NSTS manager, said: "While the immediate impact of inaccurate spreading is financial, there are also concerns that different test mechanisms – or no test at all – can also affect conservation field margins and lead to contamination of water courses."

Defra says fertiliser spreaders should be regularly maintained and serviced, with worn out parts replaced. To check spreading uniformity, trays should be used to see any variation across the spreading pattern.

A variation above 20 per cent will lead to striping in crops – if the figure increases from 20-30 per cent, yields in wheat and oilseed rape for example, are likely to be reduced.

The initiative is supported nationally by fertiliser spreader manufacturers, and aims to promote more efficient use of fertilisers and help growers achieve better yields.

The NSTS.org.uk website will carry a constantly updated list of approved spreader examiners.

Ian Forman, AEA spreader tests manager, said: "We expect that many NSTS-approved sprayer examiners will adopt the spreader test, but to be an approved spreader examiner, candidates will need to gain City & Guilds accreditation for fertiliser spreader examination."

Tillage-Live runs from 8am to 3pm. Admission is £7.50 per car if pre-registered or £10 on the day. Mini-buses or coaches should contact the organisers on 0845 4900 142 to arrange entry.