Precision, versatility and soil health with the Weaving Mounted GD Disc Drill
5th March 2025
As regenerative agriculture and no-till farming continue to gain momentum, British farmers are looking for machinery that ticks many boxes: exceptional seed placement, versatility in variable weather conditions, promotion of optimal soil health, maximisation of efficiency and affordability.
The Weaving Mounted GD Disc Drill has emerged as a market leader in this space, allowing superior seed placement to achieve strong yields without compromising sustainability.
The GD Coulter: A game-changer for seed placement
At the heart of the Mounted GD Drill’s success is its unique GD coulter system. The twin-disc coulter, set at an angle, allows for consistent seed placement at the chosen depth while ensuring minimal soil disturbance.
This low-disturbance design is particularly beneficial in reducing weed germination, conserving moisture, and maintaining soil biology—key factors for any farm looking to transition towards conservation agriculture or improve the efficiency of their no-till system.
By creating a precise seed slot, the GD coulter ensures excellent seed-to-soil contact, promoting rapid and even germination. This is critical when establishing crops in challenging conditions, from heavy clay soils to light sandy loams, making the disc drill a versatile choice across a range of farm types.
In Warwickshire, farm manager Richard Ward introduced a GD into his system back in 2020. In his first year with the disc drill, he drilled one third of his arable ground with it, followed by two thirds the following year and concluding with the whole farm in 2022.
Following a largely winter cropping system, Richard says the farm does notlend itself to spring planting. With varying ground from very heavy Warwickshire clay to medium loam and sand — sometimes all within the same field.
“The GD has established crops very well. The angled coulter disc allows greater penetration of the soil. It’s like putting an axe in a tree at an angle, rather than square,” says Richard, referring to the effectiveness of the GD’s seed placement, following up with some advice; “If you are going to use a direct drill, it is absolutely vital you start two weeks earlier in the autumn and two weeks later in the spring.
Some people won’t like this as they believe it will encourage black grass, but black grass will only grow where the soil has been disturbed. If you don’t disturb the soil between the rows, it will not grow.”
Improving soil health and reducing inputs
Direct drilling with the Weaving GD Drill not only improves operational efficiency but also contributes significantly to soil health. The reduced soil disturbance helps retain soil organic matter, encourages microbial activity, and enhances water infiltration—all essential components of resilient farming systems.
By maintaining ground cover and minimising surface disruption, the drill supports soil aggregation and reduces erosion, particularly important in areas prone to heavy rainfall or wind erosion. In turn, this leads to improved moisture retention, better root development, and healthier crops with reduced reliance on artificial inputs such as fertilisers and herbicides.
A cost-effective solution for progressive farmers
Investing in a direct drill is a significant decision, but the Weaving GD Drill provides a compelling return on investment. With its simple yet robust design, it offers minimal maintenance requirements while ensuring long-term durability. The ability to drill directly into stubbles, cover crops, and pasture without pre-cultivation also reduces fuel and labour costs, making it an economically attractive option for farms looking to streamline operations.
Furthermore, as many farms transition towards more sustainable farming systems to meet government incentives and environmental targets, the benefits of direct drilling become even more pronounced. By adopting the GD Drill, farmers can future-proof their businesses against rising input costs and evolving regulatory requirements.
As I write this, the RPA has released a brief update confirming their intentions to release another round of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund in Spring 2025. We do not know yet what items may be eligible within this round, but if a new direct disc drill is on your radar, the Weaving team is happy to offer spring demonstrations through March onwards. Please also sign up to its mailing list for updates on the FETF-eligible items.
