Wheat straw worth £34,000 lost in Bedfordshire farm fire

Wheat straw valued at £34,000 has gone up in flames on a Bedfordshire farm just days before it was due to be delivered to its buyer.

The 901 bales, owned by arable grower James Peck, had been stacked in a field on his land at Hexton after he harvested his wheat crop three weeks ago.

Mr Peck was alerted by a neighbouring farmer at 4.30pm on Saturday (17 September) that the stack was ablaze.

See also: How can I reduce risk of harvest farm fire?

It is the first time he has lost straw to fire. Although the cause of the blaze is under investigation, he fears it may have been started deliberately.

“It is a complete waste, totally mindless,” he told Farmers Weekly.

“It was not only worth a lot of money in value terms, but the smoke and soot has had an impact on people all around, who have had to keep their windows closed over the weekend.

“It is not just the immediate impact of a fire like this, but the aftermath.”

So unnecessary, frustrating. All that hard work gone by an individuals action. pic.twitter.com/aYuBNw5jXG

— James S. Peck (@Pxfarms) September 18, 2022

Mr Peck praised the work of Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who dealt with the blaze, and believes the farming industry in general should do more to forge closer links with the fire service.

“As an industry, I wouldn’t be surprised if agriculture made more use of the fire brigade than any other,” he said.

The straw was due to be collected this week. “We were at the mercy of haulage,” said Mr Peck.

The stack was next to a quiet country road and there was good reason for that, he added.

“There is no guidance in relation to where straw should be stacked, but if we put it in the middle of a field, we wouldn’t be able to get to it with lorries.”

The field was due to be drilled with barley this week. “I don’t expect that we will be able to get that part of the field drilled, so that will be another loss.”