A MACHINE that pulverises weed seeds as grain crop residue leaves combine harvesters, is being manufactured in Australia.

The Seed Terminator, which can reduce the incidence of weed re-seeding, can be retrofitted to John Deere, Case IH and New Holland class 7, 8 and 9 harvesters (Claas combines will be tested this year) and will retail for about AU$100,000, around £60,000. It uses a multi-stage hammer mill to kill weed seeds, spreading the sawdust-like debris behind the harvester.

Tests by the University of Adelaide’s Weed Science Research Group last year showed a greater than 90% kill of ryegrass seeds using the machine. Its inventor, farmer Nick Berry and his business partner, Mark Ashenden, are developing prototypes for testing in the northern hemisphere this coming harvest.

It seems to have captured the imagination of arable farmers in Australia and they have received more than 90 expressions of interest to buy one of the 2017 Seed Terminators in time for the next Australian harvest, in September.

“The design of the mill to effectively kill the seeds is the critical piece – it requires a purpose built mill and a purpose-built drive to match whatever colour machine you want to put it on,” said Mr Ashenden.

They have been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Australian Government to fast-track production for the one-pass solution that pulverises seeds and spreads the debris 10-12m either side behind the harvester to act as a fine mulch for soil improvement.

It ticks all the environmental boxes, reducing chemicals and costs for farmers. It should also help maintain the integrity of some herbicides, which are beginning to fail because of resistance in weeds.