Wheat Field (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)Wheat Field (BlackburnNews.com photo by Dave Dentinger)
Sarnia

Farmers Angry With Stray Snowmobilers

There's growing anger among some farmers in Plympton-Wyoming and the Thedford and Forest areas in Lambton Shores.

Snowmobilers, they say, are causing severe damage to their winter wheat crops when they stray off designated paths.

Lambton Grains Committee Chair Kevin Marriott says wheat's vulnerable at this time of year when there's not enough snow cover.

"I used to be a snowmobiler myself and I think you need about six inches of snow, if not more before you would not cause damage to wheat," says Marriott. "And if the ground's not frozen, then the wheat can really be damaged by the snowmobile belt."

Marriott says farmers can post no trespassing signs and lay charges against offenders but the tough part is catching them in the act.

The trespassing fine is $65 and snowmobile operators must obey the laws in the Highway Traffic Act.

Read More Local Stories

Rogers Centre in Toronto before a game between the Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, August 7, 2024. Photo by Mark Brown/WindsorNewsToday.ca

Scoreboard, May 13

The Toronto Blue Jays lost 7-6 in 10 innings to Tampa Bay. The Kitchener Rangers are OHL champions.