Dear Editor,
The fires in the Blue Mountains burned for two weeks. This is unfortunate for a number of reasons. Coffee takes years to reach full production. The impact on that industry will be felt for several years. We are told that there is to be an evaluation to determine the way forward.
May I suggest, respectfully, that -- important as it is -- we do not spend too much time on evaluation. Perhaps some corrective action could start in the meantime. I say that because the ground is now in a very vulnerable state. It is denuded, devoid of any ground cover and some sections are loose and shelly. I anticipate rainfall in that area very soon. Erosion will be significant. While this rainfall could solve the fire problem, it could do catastrophic damage to the burnt-out environment. There is, too, the almost certain increase in ash and mud in the water supply.
Erosion is just one significant problem. There is the matter of recovery. There is almost certain to be a reduction in the amount of nitrogen in the soil due to seepage after the rain which will follow the fire. Nitrogen is the primary ingredient responsible for plant growth. Replanting without bearing this in mind will result in slow, weak, spindly stems and leaves. Seedlings may fail to increase in size as they age and root systems will be too weak to hold plants. Nitrogen is the key element in boosting yield potential in both traditional and modern-day coffee varieties.
I think I can say without fear of contradiction that our local farmers have not yet wrapped their minds around the relatively new concept of biological nitrogen fixation. Scientists claim that the efficiency of utilisation of applied nitrogen to coffee belts is markedly influenced by timing and type of applied nitrogen. Food for thought when rebuilding the industry. Then there is acid rain from those invisible gases released after burning. Some plants grow more slowly and others die. This could further delay recovery in the coffee industry.
I hope I will not be considered 'alarmist' if I recommend bringing in specialist teams, wherever they can be found, to look at the damage to the landscape. As a group, coffee farmers are the most educated and influential farmers. There is absolutely no need to sit and wait on Government and grant for solutions. Get a hold of Coffee Guide 2000 and start thinking for yourselves.
We have never maximised the exploitation of coffee, but we cannot afford to lose this industry at this time.
Glenn Tucker
Stony Hill
glenntucker2011@gmail.com
Careful how we pray for rain
-->
The fires in the Blue Mountains burned for two weeks. This is unfortunate for a number of reasons. Coffee takes years to reach full production. The impact on that industry will be felt for several years. We are told that there is to be an evaluation to determine the way forward.
May I suggest, respectfully, that -- important as it is -- we do not spend too much time on evaluation. Perhaps some corrective action could start in the meantime. I say that because the ground is now in a very vulnerable state. It is denuded, devoid of any ground cover and some sections are loose and shelly. I anticipate rainfall in that area very soon. Erosion will be significant. While this rainfall could solve the fire problem, it could do catastrophic damage to the burnt-out environment. There is, too, the almost certain increase in ash and mud in the water supply.
Erosion is just one significant problem. There is the matter of recovery. There is almost certain to be a reduction in the amount of nitrogen in the soil due to seepage after the rain which will follow the fire. Nitrogen is the primary ingredient responsible for plant growth. Replanting without bearing this in mind will result in slow, weak, spindly stems and leaves. Seedlings may fail to increase in size as they age and root systems will be too weak to hold plants. Nitrogen is the key element in boosting yield potential in both traditional and modern-day coffee varieties.
I think I can say without fear of contradiction that our local farmers have not yet wrapped their minds around the relatively new concept of biological nitrogen fixation. Scientists claim that the efficiency of utilisation of applied nitrogen to coffee belts is markedly influenced by timing and type of applied nitrogen. Food for thought when rebuilding the industry. Then there is acid rain from those invisible gases released after burning. Some plants grow more slowly and others die. This could further delay recovery in the coffee industry.
I hope I will not be considered 'alarmist' if I recommend bringing in specialist teams, wherever they can be found, to look at the damage to the landscape. As a group, coffee farmers are the most educated and influential farmers. There is absolutely no need to sit and wait on Government and grant for solutions. Get a hold of Coffee Guide 2000 and start thinking for yourselves.
We have never maximised the exploitation of coffee, but we cannot afford to lose this industry at this time.
Glenn Tucker
Stony Hill
glenntucker2011@gmail.com
Careful how we pray for rain
-->