DURING my summer of ‘85 Wiltshire grain harvest, standard practice was to burn straw stubble. My boss Bob Burden positively encouraged it, says Adam Day, Managing Director of the Farmer Network.

The idea was to get a good torch of straw burning then drag it along the field border making sure the wind was at your back.

One Friday evening with 10 minutes to go before the weekend straw burning curfew, I was sent out to pick up a set of disc harrows from a stubble field adjacent to the ancient Fosse Way. With the discs duly hitched, I drove down to the bottom of the field and assessed the wind.

A very gentle breeze was blowing in my face. “Right” I thought. “I’ll use my initiative here”. I pulled the tractor back, prepared a straw torch and walked down to the field boundary. Quickly walking along the edge, I marvelled at how quickly the stubble took alight.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a huge gust of wind appeared and mini- twisters began to blow whisps of straw skywards in funnels. Within seconds, the gentle burn of stubble turned into an inferno, and worse still, was now heading for the tractor. “what the……”?

Have you ever tried to sprint across barley stubble in a pair of trainers? I Have! It was like every disaster movie you have ever seen. The tractor wouldn’t start, and when it did, I couldn’t get it in reverse, then the discs wouldn’t lift.

As the flames licked the front tyres, I eventually managed to engage low box reverse. In full Bruce Willis mode, I found myself screaming “back it, back it up”!

For what seemed and age, the flames held parity with the tractor, before gradually at full revs and hitting 3.5mph, I managed to back away to safety.

Driving back to the farm I pondered on how I might have broken the bad news to my boss. “Sorry Bob, I torched the tractor”! Back at base Bob had seen the smoke and was pleased with my initiative.

“Arr” he said in thick Wiltshire burr, “Oi am glad you were careful. The thing is with dry stubble, when she goes, she goes”!

“Yes” I replied with an impeccably straight face, “that’s just what I thought”!

The world has changed since those days. Stubble burning has been prohibited in the UK since 1993, and with incorporation techniques and min- till now increasing, less and less straw is being baled.

It may well be a further pressure on livestock farmers in future as straw supplies decrease and prices rise.

Recently the Farmer Network held an online discussion meeting which included a chat with Lincolnshire arable farmer Andy Ward. He explained why straw supplies may well tighten further, to help minimise field work and incorporate the feed value of straw back into the soil.

Stubble burning continues in agriculture around the world, and although many governments don’t encourage it, a blind eye is often turned, and the practice remains widespread.

Yet another good reason for Joe Public to support UK farming and food.

n Adam Day spent 30 years working as a Land Agent and Auctioneer throughout Cumbria and beyond. He still enjoys auctioneering on a freelance basis, mostly at Penrith Mart, where he first started his career many years ago.

Adam joined the Farmer Network in 2015, initially working three days a week, but has now increased this to four days.

He is involved in all facets of the Network working closely with the board of directors and the management councils to ensure that the Network is delivering what members want and need.

The Farmer Network Ltd is an independent not-for-profit company that provides help and support to farmers and their businesses.

Formed in 2006, it currently has more than 1,100 members. They brand themselves as a friendly, grassroots farmer’s organisation.

Away from the Network he performs with a band called the Soul Survivors.