A Norfolk-made farm machine developed after the 1976 drought could help growers protect their cereal harvests during the current heatwave, after its inventor identified a problem that is resurfacing for modern farmers.
An idea born after the 1976 drought
The device, known as the Damping Worm Machine or BB damping worm, was devised by the late Ben Burgess — founder of the agricultural machinery business that still trades under his name. A prototype remains at the Ben Burgess yard in Norwich. The company is now led by his grandson, Ben Turner, who is the managing director and is described in the records as aged 69.
Why moisture matters to cereal farmers
Cereals must be stored at the correct moisture content: dry enough to avoid spoilage but not so brittle that the grain sheds weight or turns to dust. The widely accepted target cited for storage is just under 15% moisture. If grain is below that, its weight — and therefore the value returned at sale — falls. The source material gives a concrete example: for every 100 tonnes of wheat priced at £200 per tonne, a single percentage point below the optimal moisture level represents a potential loss of £200.
How the machine works
The BB damping worm is designed to add a precise amount of moisture back into harvested grain. According to company details:
- grain is drawn in through a trough auger (a spiral-shaped conveyor) powered by an electric motor;
- it is fed into a mixing auger where measured quantities of water are sprayed into the grain stream;
- the process gently brings the crop up to the desired moisture level rather than saturating it, aiming to preserve integrity for storage and sale.
"There was a thought if you brought it up to its proper level of moisture you would sell m"
The quote in company records recalls the founding rationale for the machine: maintaining grain flexibility rather than brittleness.
Local impact and practical considerations
Successive heatwaves in recent years have meant many farmers are harvesting cereals at levels well below the optimal moisture content; this is of particular concern in East Anglia given the scale of arable farming. Restoring moisture to harvested grain can protect both bulk and price obtained at market, while avoiding the expense of extensive drying operations.
| Issue | Effect |
|---|---|
| Grain moisture < 15% | Lower weight, reduced sale value |
| Grain moisture > 15% | Requires drying to avoid spoilage (additional cost) |
For Norfolk farmers, a device that can adjust moisture precisely as grain is handled could reduce reliance on energy-intensive drying, and limit losses caused by ultra-dry harvests. The presence of a prototype in Norwich underlines the county’s long-standing links to agricultural engineering and the potential to adapt older inventions to modern challenges.
Further interest is likely from contractors, co-operatives and grain merchants who manage on-farm intake and storage; awareness of moisture levels at harvest and the options to remediate them remains a practical priority during periods of extreme weather.
