LISTEN: Saskatchewan couple frustrated after ATV driver crushes crops

A Saskatchewan couple is asking ATV drivers to use a bit of common sense and find a path that doesn’t cut through their crops.

Erin Gurney farms with her husband in and around the Qu’Appelle Valley. During a recent check on their crops, Gurney said they noticed tire tracks running right through their pea field, crushing some of the plants.

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During an appearance on the Greg Morgan Morning Show, Gurney asked ATV drivers to be respectful, use common sense and stay off the crops.

GREG MORGAN: What do you farm? Is it mostly crops, or do you have cattle too?

GURNEY: We are a grain farm, so we have canola, wheat and this year we have a bit of peas, and we run about 120 cows.

Recently, you were out checking the fields and got a little discouraged from what you saw. What happened?

GURNEY: My in-laws actually were just on a tour, just checking our crops, and they happened to drive down the rail bed and they noticed that trail across our pea field in the valley there. So (they) snapped a picture and sent it to my husband. It is definitely discouraging.

Has anyone reported seeing anything, or have you caught whoever did it?

GURNEY: Not really. We are just trying to spread the word, like don’t do it.

It sounds like someone really didn’t use any common sense. So getting frustrated by this destroying your crops, and if someone else sees a trail has been created, you’re probably a little concerned someone else might do the same, right?

GURNEY: That’s exactly right. That’s the first thing Aaron said. The trail comes right off of the Valley Road, and there is an approach there, but not a trail. So if somebody else sees that, they’ll be like, “Oh, there’s already a trail here and the rail bed is just across that field.” So obviously trying to get to the rail bed.

What do you want to say to anyone out there who has an ATV or a side-by-side?

GURNEY: Just be respectful. That’s people’s livelihood out there. It might not seem like you’re doing much damage, but that’s hard work every day that goes into those fields. And just using common sense. If they had gone like a half a mile either way, there’s a bush line there and you wouldn’t have to trample crops, and just being respectful, like closing gates. You might not see the cows, but that doesn’t mean they’re not in there, so leaving a gate open can be fairly detrimental, especially when we’re in valley country, right? You get a herd of cattle running through the valleys, and it isn’t exactly easy territory.

How are you feeling about this year’s crop?

GURNEY: I know my husband is feeling pretty good about it. Of course, like every other farmer, I’m probably wishing for more rain. Just timely rains, really, like canola is in flower right now. Other than that, things are looking pretty decent. You won’t know until the grain’s in the bin though, right? Praying Mother Nature co-operates with us and we have a good year.