Hello. I am doing some research on farming equipment and I need to
know if it is ever necessary for a farmer to use a flame-throwing
device. I have heard they use them for "burning stubble", although I
have no idea what that actually means. I hope you can help. Ideally I
would like a few images, links to manufacturers of this sort of
equipment and explanations as to its uses on farms. Many thanks.

Hi davidmarg,

Thank you for a very interesting question.


Red Dragon Products and Services 
http://www.flameengineering.com/Agricultural_Flaming_Guide.html

The Agricultural Flaming Guide offers background information on
methods, history, early practices, current methods, equipment, and
many images.

scroll down the page for:

Row Crop Flaming History,  Row Crop Flaming Practices and Techniques, 
   Crop Flaming Recommedations, Alfalfa Flaming, and Grapevine Berm
Flaming


On the right side of the page you'll see "Some Great Reasons to
Flame", which explains why this method is used.

See images on these pages:

http://www.flameengineering.com/Flame_Weeding.html

http://www.flameengineering.com/Row_Crop_Flaming_Units.html

http://www.flameengineering.com/Alfalfa_Flamer.html

http://www.flameengineering.com/GP_Flamers.html

http://www.flameengineering.com/Potato_Vine_Flamers.html

http://www.flameengineering.com/Poultry_House_Sterilizer.html


FAQ's

http://www.flameengineering.com/Row_Crop_Flaming_FAQ.html
http://www.flameengineering.com/Alfalfa_Flaming_FAQ.html
http://www.flameengineering.com/GP_Flamer_FAQ.html


=========
OTHER MANUFACTURERS
=========

ECOflameŽ weed burners 
http://www.weedcontrol.nl/Ecoflame/mb_onkruid_en.htm\

Thermoweed
http://www.thermoweed.com/orchards.htm

Delta Liquid Energy
http://www.deltaliquidenergy.com/thermweedprodpage.html



=========
BURNING STUBBLE
=========

C.A.N. DO Fact Sheet - Burning Unwanted Crop Residue (Stubble Burning)
http://www.lung.ca/cando/content/FS-stubble.pdf

"Stubble burning is the practice of burning the residue of a crop
rather than bailing it for livestock use or working it back into the
soil. It has been a part of agricultural practice for many years.

Crop residue refers to the straw, stubble and chaff from any
agricultural crop following harvest. The remains of
unharvested crop can be included."

=========

Burning Stubble:
http://www.apsru.gov.au/apsru/wfs/pdffiles/Broadcaster/Stubb.pdf

=========

http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/cropresidue/faq.htm

=========

Stubble: Keep it or burn it?
http://www.grdc.com.au/growers/gc/gc48/highrainfall.htm



=========
Additional links:
=========

Pruning Lowbush Blueberry Fields
http://wildblueberries.maine.edu/FactSheets/229.htm

"Spot Burning: In most fields there will be areas around rocks, at the
edges of the field, in dips, or in excessively bumpy areas that can't
be mowed. These small areas can be burn-pruned with a small portable
flame thrower, a conventional oil burner, or with straw any time prior
to new growth starting in the spring."

=========

Army Surplus on the Farm after World War II - Farming in the 40's
http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe40s/machines_10.html

(see image of Flame Thrower Ad)

"Another company advertised a "Modern flame thrower" claiming it
"destroys weeds, tree stumps, splits rocks, disinfects, irrigates, 100
practical uses." All for $22. It is not known whether or not these
were surplus units, but the company undoubtedly benefited from the
fame that flame throwers gained from wartime newsreels, posters and
news stories."

=========

Organized Organic Growing and Marketing at Sunset GardensSF.
http://www.eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/SF/Fall%2094%20O.htm 

What about weed control, I believe you have had some experience with
propane weeders?

"We have one of the backpack propane flame throwers. It has a 5 inch
wide flame spreader. We used this for carrots and seeded onions. I
think it works fantastically. If you adjust your management to
properly accommodate the benefits of the stale seed bed with the flame
weeding it does wonders."

=========

http://www.convictcreations.com/animals/humans.htm

"There is a romantic idea that the human's use of fire was beneficial
to the bush by regenerating life. The National Museum of Australia
even states that fire activated water in the soil, bringing it to the
surface to quench the thirst of plants. Presumably, the museum's
curators don't water their garden and instead revive their thirsty
plants with a flame thrower."

=========

Flame Weeding in the Garden
http://www.gameco.com.au/Flame%20Weeding.htm

=========

Keyword search:

agriculture flaming manufacturers
flame throwing farming equipment
stubble burning
organic gardening farming flame burning
flame farming

=========


Best regards,
tlspiegel

Very quick and a lot more info than I expected! Thanks very much.

Hi davidmarg,

Thank you for the 5 star rating and nice comments!  

Best regards,
tlspiegel

Hi davidmarg,

Please note:  The correct link for ECOflameŽ weed burners:
http://www.weedcontrol.nl/Ecoflame/mb_onkruid_en.htm


Thanks,
tlspiegel