The Claydon Straw Harrow Clearing the Way for Better Crops

1. Title: The Claydon Straw Harrow: Preparing the Way for Better Crops Farming is often about getting the small details right. A little too much soil disturbance, a day late drilling or poor residue breakdown can have lasting consequences. The Claydon Straw Harrow is designed to tackle these challenges head on, helping farmers manage residues, weeds and slugs while keeping soil in good condition. Why Residue Management Matters Straw and trash dealt with by ploughing comes at a cost. Deep cultivation damages soil structure, destroys soil biota and burns fuel. The Straw Harrow offers an effective solution to this issue. It works shallow, disturbing only the top 30 mm of soil. This is enough to stimulate a flush of weeds without drying the soil or wasting fuel. At operating speeds of 25 km/h, the machine breaks and spreads residues evenly, improving decomposition and preventing the matting that slows down following operations. Benefits in Practice The Straw Harrow’s value is clear once you see it at work. It: Encourages even weed germination, allowing for mechanical control at the cotyledon stage Reduces slug populations by breaking up slug nests, exposing eggs to sunlight and reducing their food supply Levels the surface, creating a more even seedbed for the next drill pass Runs economically, with fuel use as low as 2 litres per hectare Its spring steel tines pivot to absorb shocks, so they resist breakage even in stony conditions. The hydraulic tine adjustment from the cab gives the operator control over how aggressively the machine works. This means the harrow can be set lightly in dry conditions or made more aggressive when residues are heavy. A Farmer’s Perspective (Case Study) At Helpringham in the Lincolnshire Fens, Mick Stanley has transformed the way he manages his heavy clay soils. Farming over 300 acres of his own crops and a further 400 acres under contract, he faced the common challenges of slow cultivations, drainage problems and high establishment costs. Years of traditional ploughing and deep working left the land compacted and time-consuming to manage. Mick introduced the Claydon system to his farm in 2010, starting with a 4 m Hybrid drill and Straw Harrow, moving away from ploughing towards direct seeding. On his heavy fen soils, where moisture management is critical, the Straw Harrow proved invaluable for breaking up residues and levelling the surface before drilling. It helped manage trash, encourage weed germination and improve slug control, setting up a cleaner, more even seedbed for the following crop. He later adopted the Twin Tine kit on his drill, which proved particularly well-suited to heavy fenland soils. Working at shallow depth, it created an even surface and consistent seed placement in wet or compacted conditions. Together with the Straw Harrow, this approach improved soil structure and drainage over time, leading to stronger root systems and better establishment across all crops.

2. The results speak for themselves. “Winter wheat yields have averaged over 4 tonnes per acre, with peaks reaching 5 tonnes and clear improvements in soil health and work rates.” Mick also reduced fuel use and machine wear, saving time during busy seasons. Importantly, he found that the system remained reliable even in difficult years, when other drills struggled to penetrate hard ground. For Mick, the change has been more than operational. It has made the farm more sustainable, both financially and environmentally, while keeping soil in balance for the next generation. His experience shows how combining the Straw Harrow with the Hybrid Drill creates a complete system that delivers consistent results, even on challenging heavy soils. To read the full story, click: https://claydondrill.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Farm-Focus-Mick- Stanley.pdf Why It Matters Now Farming today faces pressure on all sides. Rising input costs, unpredictable weather and herbicide resistance all test our ability to produce consistent crops. Tools like the Claydon Straw Harrow make a difference because they deal with several of these issues in one pass. In blackgrass areas, creating a chit and removing it early gives the crop a cleaner start. With slugs, harrowing immediately after harvest removes shelter and exposes eggs to the sun. For time-pressed farms, one shallow pass is faster and cheaper than multiple cultivations. It is a practical way to improve crop establishment without compromising soil health. Types of Claydon Straw Harrow: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Farm Every farm has its own demands. Some need a compact machine for pasture work, others need a high-output model to cover large acreages fast. That is why the Claydon Straw Harrow is available in a full range of sizes, so you get the right balance of power, efficiency and cost savings for your operation. 3m Straw Harrow Compact and practical, this model shines in pastures and meadowland. It levels surfaces, rakes out weeds and gently aerates soil to keep grassland healthy.

3. 7.5m Straw Harrow (Mounted) A strong and efficient workhorse, the 7.5m model balances high output with low running costs. It handles stubble management and weed control in a wide range of farm conditions.

4. 9m Straw Harrow (Mounted) This version gives larger farms flexibility without the cost of a trailed unit. It controls weeds and manages stubble while keeping fuel use low. 12.5m Straw Harrow (Trailed)

5. The smaller trailed option comes with hydraulic depth wheels and a choice of hitch setups, making it adaptable to different tractors. Its robust spring tines make sure consistent residue breakdown even under tough conditions. 15m Straw Harrow (Trailed) It is designed for larger fields and brings speed and efficiency together. Moreover, it is built for professional operations and offers reliable, high-performance residue management and weed control at scale.

6. No matter the size of your farm, there is a Claydon Straw Harrow engineered to fit. Each delivers the same promise: faster turnaround, lower costs and better soil health. Tradition Meets Innovation Farmers have always known the value of post-harvest operations. The Claydon Straw Harrow builds on that principle with engineering designed for today’s challenges. It is not about reinventing farming, but about doing a familiar job more efficiently, with better results for the crop and the soil. Claydon Straw Harrow is an effective residue management tool, and for farms that value efficiency and long-term soil health, it is a tool that deserves serious consideration. Learn more about our straw harrow at FAQ Straw Harrow and take the next step towards sustainable, high-yield farming.