The Committee, made up of representatives from Sask. Health, is trying to educate farmers about the best burning conditions. Jim Donovan, Extension Agrologist and member of the Committee for the Yorkton project said the project is designed to be educational. In mid to late summer, we'll be sending out information packages to area farmers that discuss the advantages and disadvantages to straw burning. Near harvest, a toll free number will be made available for them to call to find out if the weather conditions are favourable for burning.
Weather conditions play a large role in how burning straw or stubble affects others.
Burning crop residues should be done only as a last resort for dealing with the straw. Conditions that enable the smoke to rise include cloudy days when the clouds are very high. When burning occurs in the evenings, the smoke tends to move horizontally, close to the ground. Until recently, farmers have been free to burn at their will. They could burn what they wanted, when they wanted.