Combed Wheat Straw

Combed wheat straw has been around since the 1880's. A comber was designed at this time that attached to a threshing machine, this is how combed wheat straw got its name.

A comber consisted of four drums with that knocked the corn out of the ears, and the flag or the leaf of the corn out of the buts, which is the cut end or lower end of the straw.

The reed passes through the comber and is threshed, the straw is kept in one piece and all ends are laid the same way, these are tied with a trusser at the rear of the thrashing machine. Then the straw is laid on the roof so that all of the buts are facing outwards giving an even tight finish similar to water reed

Combed wheat straw is attached in the same style as water reed, the only difference being that you need a wire netting covering the roof to prevent the birds removing it.

Combed wheat straw can last for 40 years, but problems may arise if the material contains very small amounts of nitrogen or fertiliser, which farmers use commonly these days.