March 4 2010

Mid Canterbury cropping farmers are catching up on some sleep this week after long hours harvesting.

“They are tired, but relieved,” said Federated Farmers grain and seed spokesman David Clark.

 Wet weather had threatened to kill off another harvest, but a week of hot and dry days saw farmers burning the midnight oil to cut crops and get them into silos.

 Mr Clark said there were still some issues with sprouting grain and germination, and some farmers would have milling wheat downgraded.

 “That was to be expected. That length of damp weather can’t have not caused harm, but it is not a disaster. It is going to be probably just a good average harvest for people, not a bin-buster, but a good solid harvest.”

 He said grain harvested at marginal moisture levels would need to be checked regularly in storage to prevent further loss of quality.

 Farmers are now concentrating on sowing greenfeeds and new grasses before the weather turns wintery.

 Some are burning stubble as they prepare paddocks for new crops, smoke from the fire obvious in Mid Canterbury skies.

 Complaints about smoke are regularly received by Environment Canterbury’s pollution hotline.

 ECan spokesman Marty Mortiaux said stubble burning was a permitted activity.

 “Interestingly, stubble burning remains a predominantly Mid Canterbury issue; the rest of the region uses alternative means such as direct drilling.”

 ECan’s only conditions are that particles from the fire shall not cause offence to neighbours, and that minimum quantities of accelerants be used.

 A restricted fire season is also in force in Mid Canterbury at the moment, meaning farmers must abide by strict conditions for stubble burn-offs.

 The wind should not exceed 15km/h and farmers should check calm conditions are forecast for the next 24 hours.

 A portable water supply should be on site, and adults supervising the burn; a five-metre fire-break is also compulsory and the paddock must be cultivated immediately to reduce the risk of reignition.

 Farmers found to be negligent lighting stubble fires risk prosecution. They are also liable for suppression costs.

 Visit the Ashburton District Council’s website www.adc.govt.nz for all the details.