Greater Shepparton City Council is urging farmers planning to burn-off stubble this season to take every step to protect their paddock trees and other native vegetation, on and around their properties.
When undertaking stubble burning as part of farming practices, it is vital that paddock and roadside trees are protected during the process. Paddock trees provide many benefits to agriculture, the community and the environment, including:
- Improved soil health – sequestering carbon, production of healthy organic matter and erosion control, and retention of nutrients
- Increased stock productivity – provision of shelter from extreme heat, wind and cold reduces stock energy required to maintain body temperature, as well as reducing animal stress which in turn improves production of wool growth, weight gain and milk production
- Natural pest control – the provision of habitat for birds and bats that feed off pest insects and mice
- Wildlife habitat – including pollinators that are essential for fruit, vegetable and other crop production
It is important that landholders are aware of the legal requirements and responsibilities when planning to burn stubble. Farmers should create a fire break of no less than three metres from the edge of the canopy (drip line) around each tree. Burns cannot be conducted on Total Fire Ban days.
It is illegal to remove, lop or destroy native vegetation including paddock trees and standing dead trees, therefore protecting native vegetation during a stubble burn is crucial. Landholders must:
- Strictly adhere to Council, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and CFA regulations and laws relating to burn-offs
- Check the weather forecast during the planned burn days and subsequent few days
- Notify neighbours about the upcoming planned burn
