Maize harvest caution following wet summer

Oct 16 2008 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

FOLLOWING the heavy rainfall experienced over the summer, Environment Agency Wales is cautioning farmers to plan any maize harvests carefully.

It says wet or soft soil can easily become compacted under the tyres of tractors and trailers and the amount of run-off substantially increases, leading to localised flooding risk and pollution of watercourses.

Brian Klass, catchment coordinator with Environment Agency Wales, said: “Harvest planning has become a key management issue for farmers. Under poor harvesting conditions the risk of soil erosion is high with the potential to cause water pollution, and the loss of soil will have a knock on effect on future use of the field.”

He says farmers should also be aware that land-spreading spoiled silage can pose a risk of water pollution.

Spreading slurry and manure on sloping ground can also increase the risk of run-off and subsequent pollution during inclement weather.

Loss of soil, slurry and manure from fields into watercourses will have an impact on water quality causing problems for fisheries, local wildlife and downstream users.