A farming machinery specialist is seeing sales of his six-metre wide weed burner rocket thanks to the success of organic farming in the UK.
Powered by Calor Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the six-metre burner is sold in the UK by Thermoweed. In the five short months of 2006, the company has already sold more burners than in the whole of 2005.
The six-metre LPG burner was launched in the UK in 2004 and provides farmers with pre and post emergence weed control, desiccation and debris destruction. Customers include vegetable, herb, salad, bulb and potato growers.
Thermoweed aims to provide an environmentally sound and economically viable alternative to the use of chemicals for weed control. Managing director, Richard Pearson, believes that sales are soaring thanks in the main to organic farms increasing their acreage. "Consumer demand for organic vegetables is giving many of our customers confidence to invest in larger more economic and environmentally friendly machinery."
Product improvements are also helping sales. 2006 has seen Richard Western Limited who manufactures green burners for Thermoweed increase the fan capacity of the LPG burner leading to an improved air door. Richard said: "With improvements to the air knife we hope to reduce the effect of gusty wind. This helps to increase the efficiency of the gas burning process keeping more heat under the canopy, leading to cost savings for the customer."
Calor LPG brings with it many benefits. Problems with chemicals such as having to notify residents of intent to spray and the closure of footpaths do not arise with the LPG burner. It can be used in any weather, next to residential properties, watercourses and rights of way – making it the more convenient and environmentally friendly option for farmers. The burner can cover up to 24 hectares per eight-hour day – making it much faster than the traditional two- metre burner.
