Grain Producers SA (GPSA) is urging tourists and sightseers to respect private property and avoid entering canola crops to capture photos.
While drought has reduced the area planted to canola across South Australia this year, many crops that were sown are flowering or starting to, with the familiar bright yellow bloom expected to spread across the landscape further in the coming weeks.
These fields have become a popular backdrop for social media photos in recent years, but GPSA is reminding the public that they are working farms, not tourist attractions, and that biosecurity risks are real and can have widespread impacts on grain producer properties.
GPSA chief executive officer Brad Perry said the reminder was timely to protect crops, reduce biosecurity risks and ensure public safety.
“Photos in front of the fence with the canola crop behind are okay but photos in the crop are not,” he said.
“Canola crops are private property and represent an important part of a grower’s livelihood.
“Jumping the fence for a photo might seem harmless, but it can cause crop damage and create biosecurity risks by spreading pests, diseases or weed seeds between paddocks. It can also put people in harm’s way around heavy machinery or on uneven ground.”
Mr Perry said GPSA encouraged visitors to enjoy the spectacular display of yellow from safe vantage points, without trespassing.
“We want everyone to enjoy South Australia’s stunning agricultural landscapes, but that enjoyment needs to be from the roadside or a designated viewing area,” he said.
“It’s about respecting the people who grow our food and fibre while keeping everyone safe.”
