Centre Pivot Site Preparation

With ever increasing input costs resulting in smaller gross margins, Vegetable Growers are realising the importance of getting their soil profile right prior to planting. The main concern is to ensure there is adequate drainage to prevent crop loss through water inundation. This is generally achieved by removing and stockpiling of topsoil, cutting off hills and filling flats to a lasered design (sloping towards headlands), then replacing topsoil. If the topsoil is non-wetting the site is then spread with clay and spaded prior to planting.

Benefits are significant increase in quality and yield through:

• Minimal crop loss through waterlogging
• Uniform  depth of topsoil across pivot
• Uniform weed germination
• No steep hills for pivot to negotiate