Club of bologna proceedings

 Bourarach
in a review of current 
tillage equipment and systems also considered 
that future development of decision support 
systems for users will be more important than 
new designs of implements. His paper described 
the wide range of currently available implements, 
their design parameters and methods of use and 
adjustment, effects of wear and tear on 
performance and highlighted the need for 
standardisation in terminology in order to 
enhance the dissemination and application of 
research results. The main factors to consider 
are: type of tool, hitch type, type of action 
(passive or active), operative mode, soil engaging 
components, angle of installation of engaging 
components and their arrangement etc. Research 
on the effects of mechanical condition of 
implements and on the degree of wear of soil 
working components and their influence on the 
quality of work should be encouraged. 
The three speakers representing implement 
manufacturers, P. 
Celli
, M. 
Hodge
and H. 
Weiste
described some of the technical 
advantages and commercial difficulties of 
introducing innovative, new technologies in soil 
tillage. Examples given included the press roll and 
its use in conjunction with disc harrows, the p.t.o. 
driven spading machine and the combination of 
tillage implements and pneumatic seeders. The 
speakers expressed their willingness to develop 
any technology proposed by the research sector 
although innovation alone was not enough for a 
company to be successful today. In fact, for 
commercial success it was important to analyse 
all aspects of design, manufacture, distribution 
and marketing before launching a new product. 
The need for closer co-operation between 
companies within the manufacturing industry as 
well as between the industry and public sector 
research institutions was stressed.
Wide-ranging discussion followed the 
presentations and participants 
concluded
that in 
this important but complex area of soil tillage 
systems and equipment there were no simple 
universal solutions. They 
recommended
that 
every effort be made to improve integrated, 

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multidisciplinary exchanges between researchers 
and between the research sector and the 
equipment manufacturers to define more clearly 
the options available to farmers for specific 
climatic and soil conditions. Particular importance 
was attached to assisting farmers to reduce the 
costs of production in the face of declining crop 
prices and in reducing soil compaction and 
environmental pollution. The potential benefits of 
improving the availability of information and 
designing advanced decision support software 
and control systems (including the use of GPS 
and GIS) for tillage operations in particular and 
precision agriculture in general was highlighted. 
The participants also 
recognised
the gap existing 
between developed and developing countries