Mid North Coast farmers are voicing their concerns over the long term impact of the drought and fires after destructive 2019 events dealt their crops a blow.
David Flinter is the owner of Hand'n'Hoe Organics Macadamia farm in Comboyne and he said it's too early to say if whether the region's ecosystem can restore itself effectively, after fires and drought swept through the region.
"Our biggest concern is the ongoing impact we're going to have with the imbalance of the ecosystem," he said.
"I think that's going to be a big problem for a lot of the orchids in the whole area."
In November 2019 the bushfires swept through Mr Flinter's property and the farm lost an estimated 300 trees out of a total of 4000. Initially it was thought up to 500 had been destroyed.
Mr Flinter is calling for an environmental initiative to offset the birds' impact on his farm and others in the area.
In 2020 Mr Flinter's macadamia and fruit crops have been targeted by native birds as a food source, due to the widespread destruction of their normal habitat from the fires and drought.
Blueberries and avocados
Meanwhile Penny Tideman from Ticoba Blueberries and Avacados said 2020 has brought widespread rain to the farm but they are now waiting to see if spring will produce the right conditions for effective pollination.
The dams are full on the farm thanks to consistent rainfall since January.
"We can't complain at all now," Mrs Tideman said.
The 2019 drought took its toll on the blueberry crop but in 2020 the summer months are looking to produce more positive results towards a bountiful supply.
Mrs Tideman said the next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether it will be a bumper season.
The farm at Comboyne was impacted by a severe hailstorm in September 2019 which wiped out about 70 per cent of their avocado crop.
However, Mrs Tideman said the trees have recovered well and they should be able to start picking avocados within the next month.
Brackenridge Berries owner and manager Jenny Kompara-Tosio said they're feeling positive the farm will be able to open to the community for picking from December 12.
Mrs Kompara-Tosio said on a whole 2020 has been a much better year for blueberries than 2019, given the consistent rain since January.
"If we just get regular rain until the end of the year we will have a very good crop," she said.
Source - https://www.camdencourier.com.au
