Newfoundland and Labrador, renowned as “The Rock” for its breathtaking coastlines and rocky terrain, has presented a significant obstacle for farmers seeking to cultivate horticultural crops. The presence of stones and boulders in the soil has hindered the growth of crops such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, leading to irregular shapes and reduced marketability and storage quality.
In 2021, farmer Chris Lester approached Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to address the issue of rocky fields – a stone burier and bed shaper reverse rotary tiller. This equipment, compatible with a traditional 150 horsepower or higher farm tractor, effectively separates stones from soil and forms one to four soil beds of varying sizes, allowing nutrient-rich soil to remain on the surface for optimal crop root expansion.
The AAFC St. John’s Research and Development Centre acquired a stone burier and bed shaper in 2021 for a study of its potential benefits on Newfoundland soils. Following trials on carrots and parsnips, the results were remarkable – the yields were 30% higher with the stone burier and bed shaper compared to traditional tillage methods. The equipment also enhanced the quality and length of the root vegetables, resulting in straighter, more marketable produce with less damage for extended storage periods.
Local farmer Chris Lester was deeply impressed by the performance of the stone burier and bed shaper on his farm. The equipment produced stone-free soil beds that maintained their form throughout the season, leading to substantial yield increases and reduced soil compaction. Other farmers in Newfoundland have expressed interest in the equipment, and the AAFC intends to continue introducing the stone burier and bed shaper to more farmers in the future.
The stone burier and bed shaper have proven to be a transformative innovation for Newfoundland farmers, converting rocky fields into smooth soil beds and enhancing the yield and quality of root vegetables. With this cutting-edge technology, farmers are surmounting the challenges posed by stony soils, laying the groundwork for a more efficient and prosperous agricultural industry in the province.