Keystone Agricultural Producers want riders of all-terrain vehicles to think before riding across a farm field because the impact of that decision can be serious.
In a recent news release, KAP said riding on cropland or pastureland can spread weeds to crops and disease to livestock when material lodged in ATV tires moves manure and weeds from one location to the next.
“When it comes to diseased plants coming into contact with crops, they can spread fungus and spores, which create a wave of disease over a crop, eventually destroying it,” KAP said.
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“Farmers may have to spend thousands of dollars for chemicals in order to clear their land of damaging seeds or plants.”
Gary Pare, executive director of the Saskatchewan All Terrain Vehicle Association (SATVA), said trespassing on farmland is not a malicious act and typically happens by accident.
For example, he said it’s possible for riders participating in ATV rallies to become confused and stray off the trail.
“There is a problem with some of the rallies,” he said.
“I don’t think they’re marked quite well enough and guys get lost on the trail …. That could be part of the (reason) why they end up on farmers’ fields.”
Regardless, Pare acknowledges that riders need to stay on the trails to minimize riding’s impact, which is why SATVA adheres to the principles of Tread Lightly, an organization that promotes responsible outdoor recreation.
SATVA is also working on a new program to spread the message to Saskatchewan’s youth.
“We’re planning on purchasing a bunch of smaller ATVs for children so we can do safety training with them,” he said.
The Alberta Off Highway Vehicle Association is also trying to encourage more responsible riding, said Cal Rakach, the association’s technical director.
Rakach often appears on an Alberta radio program Let’s Go Outdoors to talk about the dos and don’ts of riding.
“One of the things we talk about is knowing where to go and the responsibility that a rider has,” he said.
“Some of the messaging I put out is when you’re out there, are there indicators” such as a fence or signs that would indicate an area is off limits?
He also advises riders to call their provincial government to find out which trails are open and where they can ride.
“It’s about the rider needing to know where to go.”
