Stubble/Straw burning for volunteers/weeds

[Dukes Fit]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this for weed control in front of a Mzuri.

Last time I was in Australia in 2017 after coming off a ship, I visited my old boss and spent a couple days driving round fields in a ute with what can only be described as a small flamethrower mounted on the side setting fire to straw and stubbles. I think they were having problems with resistance.
Been thinking it might be worth trying here and see if it’s beneficial (fond memories as a child too )

For winter crops (ww after sb) would you bale the straw and burn stubbles or chop the straw and burn the whole lot to get a more complete burn and higher temperature?

Spring crops, would burning take care of volunteers/weeds and avoid a pass of the sprayer?

Any immediate downsides? Apart from barbecuing a few worms

 

[Kidds]

Going to be difficult getting past the "it is illegal" part.

 

[Dukes Fit]

Going to be difficult getting past the "it is illegal" part.

Legal still in Scotland

 

[Kidds]

Cool
Spread the straw and burn the lot and it will do a better job. Incorporate within 24 hours were the rules.

 

[Bury the Trash]

That would be great, then us that dont and plough could take the moral high ground .

 

[yellow belly]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this for weed control in front of a Mzuri.

Last time I was in Australia in 2017 after coming off a ship, I visited my old boss and spent a couple days driving round fields in a ute with what can only be described as a small flamethrower mounted on the side setting fire to straw and stubbles. I think they were having problems with resistance.
Been thinking it might be worth trying here and see if it’s beneficial (fond memories as a child too )

For winter crops (ww after sb) would you bale the straw and burn stubbles or chop the straw and burn the whole lot to get a more complete burn and higher temperature?

Spring crops, would burning take care of volunteers/weeds and avoid a pass of the sprayer?

Any immediate downsides? Apart from barbecuing a few worms

Loss of food for the worms leading to dead soil in the long run

 

[PSQ]

We had a bit of a burn on a black grass patch in wheat stubble about 8 years ago. You could see to a line where the fire got to, not a single black grass plant.

 

[Bury the Trash]

would possibly help with wild oats as well, it seemed to help control couch, could be a glyphosate replacer

 

[deleted user 837354]

I'm not sure burning the soil and all organic matter in it is really an acceptable and long term solution to a weed issue, is it?

Even if it were legal again, how many people here would genuinely want to do it long term?

 

[steveR]

Just wondering if anyone has tried this for weed control in front of a Mzuri.

Last time I was in Australia in 2017 after coming off a ship, I visited my old boss and spent a couple days driving round fields in a ute with what can only be described as a small flamethrower mounted on the side setting fire to straw and stubbles. I think they were having problems with resistance.
Been thinking it might be worth trying here and see if it’s beneficial (fond memories as a child too )

For winter crops (ww after sb) would you bale the straw and burn stubbles or chop the straw and burn the whole lot to get a more complete burn and higher temperature?

Spring crops, would burning take care of volunteers/weeds and avoid a pass of the sprayer?

Any immediate downsides? Apart from barbecuing a few worms

Oh Happy Days.... but long gone now...

Times have moved on but burned (carefully) many a wheat stubble in the past when it was allowed. Speading long straw was the best method prior to burning for us. Burning swathes not really the ideal, but would work.

Never burned chopped... choppers came in to address the loss of burning!

Great before stubble turnips, cleared wild oats and other weed seeds well. Imagine would hammer BG seeds too...

 

[Barleymow]

Never had slugs or blackgrass when burning was allowed, dose of gramoxone and bettinson drill simples

 

[steveR]

Never had slugs or blackgrass when burning was allowed, dose of gramoxone and bettinson drill simples

Cheap and cheerful...