Reading Time: 3 minutes Nobody likes to change, especially not when they’re comfortable and things are going well. But that attitude can lead to complacency and inertia as the world passes by. This is the delicate balance that farmers are being asked to strike, with little evidence that it’s going to pay them dividends of any kind. The issue […] Read more
Emissions reduction needs a lifeline
Canadian farmers can’t extract added production costs from global markets
Low emitting cow-calf farms move in step with profitability
The variability of the cow-calf sector means there are many levers to pull to increase financial, environmental sustainability, says researcher
Reading Time: 3 minutes Glacier FarmMedia – A study benchmarking cow-calf profitability against greenhouse gas intensity suggests profitable farms tend to have lower emissions, but there’s a lot of room to work on both sides of the equation. “There’s a lot that we can do to provide support to producers who are willing to try things … and I […] Read more
Schoepp: Some are demanding deep and misguided changes to farms
Reducing emissions or boosting green energy and indoor farming is fine, but controlling farms isn’t
Reading Time: 3 minutes I have been listening to regional and international panels addressing the future of food security. In many circles, the talk is of reducing animal agriculture, government acquiring food production lands, reducing crop inputs and alternative systems. It seems we are on the verge of trashing a complex natural ecology for non-food-bearing green spaces and vertical […] Read more
Farmers worried emissions targets will become mandatory
Ag minister vows they won’t but AgCanada survey finds producers remain ‘very concerned’
Reading Time: 3 minutes Farmers remain concerned about federal emissions reduction targets and whether they’ll remain voluntary. Lots of producers are worried about Ottawa’s goal of reducing fertilizer-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030, and that’s reflected in the “What We Heard” report recently issued by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said Shannon Sereda, senior manager of government […] Read more
The net-zero movement is unstoppable, but farmers will adapt
Reducing emissions is do-able; the key is persuading Ottawa to chart a sensible course, says farm leader
Reading Time: 4 minutes Keep calm, stay flexible and farm on. These were the main messages from a panel on greenhouse gas emissions at the recent CrossRoads conference. Canada, and every member of the G7 and 120 other nations, has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the manager of government and policy relations for the Grain Growers […] Read more
Cattle producers ‘aligned’ with climate goals
Reading Time: < 1 minute The benefits from well-managed livestock systems got some recognition at the recent COP27 in Egypt, says Alberta cattle producer Bob Lowe, who attended the UN’s annual climate conference as an official observer. “Beef producers experience climate-related events firsthand and we work every day to continuously improve our working landscapes for generations to come,” Lowe said […] Read more
Opinion: The emissions controversy offers an opportunity for both sides
Like many farmers, I’m concerned but also see there’s a way to move forward if we work together
Reading Time: 3 minutes You may have heard the buzz lately. There has been a lot of talk about emissions, environmental impact, and what the future looks like with a changing climate. The past few weeks have been dominated by conversations about the government of Canada’s plan to reduce emissions from on-farm fertilizer use. With little substance revealed regarding […] Read more
The federal government sows cash to reap environmental rewards
Millions are being given to farms to lower greenhouse gas emissions but applying isn’t quick and easy
Reading Time: 3 minutes The federal government continues to distribute millions of dollars to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms, but the application process is time consuming, says a successful applicant. Under the Agricultural Clean Technology program, 47 farms and ag businesses recently received a total of $15.2 million in grants for solar panels, energy-efficient grain dryers and […] Read more
Green is good but variable-rate fertilizing needs to pay, say advocates
There’s a bottom-line boost but you’ll need more than a yield map and satellite photos
Reading Time: 4 minutes Variable-rate fertilization features heavily in Ottawa’s plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But beyond the green factor, does variable rate pay off? Yes, say two longtime users and an agronomist who helps farmers implement the practice. Applying the right amount of the right fertilizer at the right time in the right place — a.k.a. 4R […] Read more
Another way to lower emissions from fertilizers
How do these higher-efficiency products work and can they work for you?
Reading Time: 2 minutes While the federal government views 4R stewardship as a way to substantially cut greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer use, there is another way — more efficient fertilizer products that reduce volatilization, leaching and denitrification. And many farmers are using these fertilizers, which fall into two main categories: inhibitors and slow- or controlled-release formulations. David Carlson […] Read more
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