Row of pea seedlings in soil with first seedling in focus

Soil report highlights shifting focus on core issues

Opinion: Turn and burn is the name of the game before sunny days turn wet again

“Soil is still at risk in Canada and around the world,” the report says. “The committee heard that while soil management has improved and crop yield has increased with enhanced plant genetics and cultural practices, these gains have also masked the effect of continued soil degradation and loss of agricultural land in every region of Canada.

Row of pea seedlings in soil with first seedling in focus

Corporate help for soil health is on its way

The importance of healthy soils is attracting the attention of newer private sector partners

Corporate interest in sustainable agricultural practices has grown in recent years, along with money toback it. Why it matters: Food manufacturers say they want agriculture to use more sustainable practices […] Read more



Photo: Thinkstock

Soil should be a strategic national asset: Senate committee 

The two-year study of Canada’s soils is now complete and recognizes that while conservation efforts over recent decades have been tremendous there is still more to be done 

The Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health report said Canada requires an overarching strategy to collect better data. It says a national soils institute database that shares information with provinces, academics and producers should be established.




University of Guelph associate professor John Lauzon says understanding the means by which nutrients get to the soil root zone “is going to have a big impact in terms of how we manage specific nutrients to optimize the uptake, and in some ways, minimize loss as well.”

Taking a soil deep dive

Soil interactions affect much of plant health so a remedial course can help

Understanding the relationship between nutrient uptake, plant availability and the impacts on yield are a constant research project and growers are in the best position to benefit. John Lauzon provided […] Read more

Rev. Ruth Butt received the Member of the Order of Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Sept. 15, 2022. The award was presented to her by OAC Dean Rene Van Acker.

Ruth Butt was a soil health champion

Proceeds from farm sale donated to Soil Conservation Council of Canada

A recent donation by Woodstock’s Rev. Ruth Butt led to the creation of a Canada-wide committee dubbed “Soil Champions.” The Ontario agriculture community certainly lost a soil health “champion” with […] Read more