Well, it had to happen – its just that sort of year. The great rainfall we have had to date has had an adverse effect on our straw or stubble ground cover from last year. Too much rain rots the roots of the straw allowing it to easily pull out. So far this sowing, we have be able to handle the straw as we sow, but this week we came across an area so rotted that our air seeder turned into a hay rake.
So what the issue? We like to keep the straw. Just like mulch on your garden, straw helps retain moisture and protects the young plants. It also ties up carbon, reduces pollution and all those other good ‘prevent global warming’ things. In addition to this, the seasonal weather forecasts are all predicting a below average rainfall finish due to an building El Nino event. Hopefully the forecasters are wrong, but with that in mind we have worked really hard at retaining our stubble hoping it will help retain moisture in the ground.
But what do you do if you just can’t get the machinery through the stubble? As a last resort, you burn it.
So earlier this week we cut a fire break around the area to ensure that the fire could not get away and made sure we had water on hand just in case. As members of the Rural Fire Service and having had to protect our property from fire on occasions in the past, we are very careful – even in winter.
So here are some pictures for you. Before and after shots may help show you..
| Before… | After… |
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As you can see it does clear the stubble away! However I also took a brief video of the part in-between the before and after shots for you as well.
| Now as you watch the video, please bear in mind, that this is winter. The days are cool, the paddocks are wet and there was only a gentle breeze blowing at the time. But look at the speed of the fire, the amount of wind (generated by the fire) and the noise. The audio quality is poor – sorry about that. However, it gives you an idea if you have never seen an open fire on the move. |
Image what it is like on a 42 degree summer day with a strong north-westerly.
So I don’t’ want to lecture, but…
We live on a highway and over the years, have suffered our share of fires. Sometimes its a smoker who either doesn’t think or doesn’t care when disposing of their cigarette butt. Other times, its the once a year holiday trip with the poorly maintained caravan or trailer. Wheel bearings get red hot as they disintegrate, spreading small fires over a distance until the wheel actually falls off or the driver notices.
And when that occurs on the wrong day, there isn’t a lot anyone can do. So please, be aware this summer if you travel our great country. Prevention is better than cure. 🙂
Cheers
NeilK