Case Study
From plough to strip‑till
Farm Profile
Customer:
Richard Budd
Location:
Hawkhurst, Kent
About:
1,350 ha total – 1,120 ha arable, 150 ha apples, 80 ha grass. Soil type predominantly clay (Wadhurst clay), with Tunbridge Wells sands in places
The Challenge
Richard’s journey – moving away from the plough
Since the early 2000s, Richard Budd has progressively reduced tillage to address long-standing issues with soil drainage and compaction. After heavy losses in poor autumn weather in 2012, he pivoted from power-harrowing to more minimal tillage options. By 2013, he had adopted direct‐drilling, later complementing it with a Sumo DTS Strip Drill and a Low Disturbance Subsoiler (LDS) to relieve compaction while preserving surface structure.
On better quality fields, he now uses a 4 m Direct Disc drill; on soils needing more structure improvement, he continues with the 6 m DTS. He also follows three guiding principles:
- Chop and evenly spread all straw behind the combine to boost organic matter
- Use the LDS subsoiler selectively to tackle compaction
- Choose between direct disc drilling or DTS strip-till based on soil condition and crop needs.
Why the shift to strip-till?
“Moving to strip-till has completely changed the way we farm. It’s helped us build soil health, save fuel, and produce more consistent crops with fewer passes.”
Our Solution
The combination of Sumo DTS strip-till and LDS subsoiler offered Richard the soil-friendly alternative he was seeking. It preserved surface structure while loosening compacted zones, facilitated moisture retention and root development, and allowed seed to be placed precisely. The result was improved soil biology, better seedbed environment and continued organic matter build-up—all with minimal soil inversion.
“The combination of the Sumo DTS and LDS gives us the flexibility to deal with our soil structure without destroying the surface. It’s a balanced, long-term solution.”
Machine Specifications
Key benefits include:
Results
Advice for transition: Richard’s top tips
- Be patient – transitioning to a full direct drill/strip-till system takes time, soil improvement and adaptation.
- Keep straw in the field – residue retention increases organic matter; baling straw sacrifices long-term soil health gains.
- Adapt to your soils – use strip-till or LDS selectively, depending on traffic history and soil structure.
- Watch your drill timing – delayed drilling, especially for OSR, can drastically reduce pest pressure and improve establishment
Why Sumo?
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