First in the Field

Synopsis: The combine harvester is of crucial importance to the cereal farmer. Begins with a rare look at harvesting with a tractor-driven binder. Within 20 years this had become obselete, and the film looks at the technological developments which led to its demise. The workings of the combine are described. Discusses straw, the waste product of harvesting. The old system involved threshing the wheat and gathering the straw to feed animals and for winter bedding. This produced manure which could then go back on the land and complete the cycle. The combine has changed this, and straw has become uneconomic to collect, since most cereal farmers do not keep animals. It cannot be left to rot, so most farmers burn the straw and waste the natural resource.
Series: Living with Technology: A Foundation Course, Course T102
Language: English
Country: Great Britain
Medium: Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.
Year of production: 1989
Availability: OUT OF DISTRIBUTION
Subjects: Agriculture; Technology
Keywords: agricultural equipment; cereals; combine harvesters; straw; tractors

Producer

Ian Spratley

Cast

John Naughton

Name: Open University Worldwide
Web: http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone: +44 (0) 1908 274066
Address: Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes: NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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