Glacier FarmMedia – A York University professor says transition payments could help Canadian farmers adopt and adapt to environmental policies. Rod MacRae, associate professor in the faculty of environmental and urban change, said Canada has an “implementation problem” when it comes to policies for environmental improvement. He said the problem has been around for decades […] Read more
Tag Archives Environment — page 13
Transition payments seen as environmental target solution
Professor says current government programs have not been able to solve the country’s ‘implementation problem’
Food waste put to use in formula to boost root growth, sugar content
Nurture Growth uses microbes from waste to let plants fix their own nitrogen
The power of rescued food waste is being harnessed to lessen farmers’ dependence on synthetic fertilizers. A bio-organic formula using food waste developed by Mississauga-based Nurture Growth that contains more than 20 microbes lets plants fix their own nitrogen and has been shown to boost yield and make plants more resilient. Why it matters: Under […] Read more
Comment: Better approach needed for soil health
Farmers need support from those who ask them to do more
Soil might seem like simple dirt to many people, but it is anything but simple for Canada’s food producers. It is foundational to putting food on tables in Canada and worldwide. Healthy soil can also boost production, fight climate change and promote biodiversity. However, for soil to deliver on its full potential, farmers must adopt […] Read more
New path to monitor soil carbon
Science Notes: Machine-learning methods meet soil hyperspectral data
Just how much carbon is in the soil? That’s a tough question to answer at large spatial scales, but understanding soil organic carbon at regional, national or global scales could help scientists predict overall soil health, crop productivity and even worldwide carbon cycles. Classically, researchers collect soil samples in the field and haul them back […] Read more
Comment: Keep it to three key messages
The livestock sector needs to deliver its message in a way that will be noticed and understood
In today’s world, we are surrounded by simple messages, speaking points and slogans. We all fall prey to the comfort of understanding the simple — but at our peril. Now consider the messages dominating the public view of the livestock sector. They are simple, maybe none simpler than “Cows are the new coal”. Simple messages […] Read more
Building sustainability throughout the food chain
Companies discuss the importance of ensuring producers are part of the sustainability solution
The agri-food sector is under increased pressure to prove sustainable production practices from the farm to the corporate level. For the first time, sustainability and environmental concerns made the top five consumer issues in the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity’s 2021 Public Trust research publication. Sustainability is becoming part of value systems. Still, it’s difficult […] Read more
Modelling nitrous oxide emissions
Science Notes: Farmland expansion seen as the predominant driver of N2O increases
A recent ecosystem modelling study conducted by Iowa State University scientists shows how crop production in the United States has led to an increase in the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, throughout the last century. Researchers drew on massive amounts of data, from weather patterns to soil conditions to land use […] Read more
Comment: Funding won’t stop climate change
Glacier FarmMedia – On Canada’s Agriculture Day (Feb. 22), the federal government made a major funding announcement to help farmers fight climate change. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the feds would provide $182.7 million in “direct support to farmers” to encourage the adoption of cover crops, rotational grazing and improving management of nitrogen. These farm practices, […] Read more
Liberals’ rebate bill expected to win legislative carbon tax race
Conservative bill aims to exempt natural gas and propane instead
Glacier FarmMedia – A private member’s bill introduced Feb. 7 to exempt more farm fuels from the carbon tax likely won’t pass before a government bill that will provide rebates. Ben Lobb, Conservative MP for Huron-Bruce, introduced C-234, calling it “the fairness for farmers act.” It would eliminate the carbon tax on natural gas and […] Read more
Farmers test microbes to nourish crops as climate pressure grows, costs rise
Soil biologicals are getting a lot of attention and research money
Tech companies are raising hundreds of millions of dollars, including backing from agriculture heavyweights like Bayer AG, to develop farm products that use living things like microbes and seaweed to nourish crops and lessen the need for synthetic fertilizer. Microbes, including fungi and viruses, have been available for decades as treatments to protect plants from […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
