The Big Dry is starting to take its toll on Vincent's farm. Photo / Supplied
The Big Dry is starting to take its toll on Vincent's farm. Photo / Supplied
The Wakefield region is still dealing with the aftermath of the Tasman fires and farmer Simon Vincent says the ongoing drought is making matters worse.
Vincent spoke to The Country's Jamie Mackay about the impact the fires and the drought have had on him and his neighbours.
"Even now, there'sthis fire control process and we can only work paddocks in the mornings and there's a process to get approval to do that, and once it gets hot you have to stop work."
"So that's going to have a further impact on winter crops, but you just have to manage through it".
Vincent said fire breaks have been bulldozed on his leased farm in Wakefield, as well as the properties nearby.
Fire breaks on Simon Vincent's leased block. Photo / Supplied
Although the fire breaks are necessary because of the drought, Vincent said he was uncertain how farms would recover after they are removed.
"[Fire breaks are] the right thing to do because it is the first open flat land down out of the forestry - but it has a huge impact on ... these people and it's unclear exactly how that's going to be repatriated and how it's going to be paid for."
Vincent sent photos to The Country depicting how unpredictable and frightening the fire was.
He admitted having mixed feelings as he watched the wind cause the inferno to change course.
Smoke blows away from Simon Vincent's leased block. Photo / Supplied
"When the wind changes and blows away from you, you initially just feel relief and then of course you think 'oh sh*t, it's blowing towards someone else.'"
Although the drought is taking its toll on Vincent's farming operation he remains philosophical.
When the wind changed, smoke was blown towards Vincent's property. Photo / Supplied
"You can't complain about it, you've got to practically farm and try to make sure that the impact doesn't go too many seasons forward".
He also had advice for those facing similar conditions.
"Take a long-term view. Make sure you're feeding your stock well and if you've got to adjust your numbers, just get on and do it".
