While Pulse Canada is developing a carbon footprint calculator, BASF Canada is testing its own tool on Canadian canola.
A study conducted by the company will compare production data information from 1995 with the 2010 growing season, with its more intensive production, high-yielding varieties and new soil conservation practices.
“We’ve gone from growing a conventional crop to growing one that’s virtually 100 percent herbicide-tolerant and that’s had a dramatic impact on the crop protection products used,” said Jeff Bertholet, technical development manager at BASF.
The data for both years will be run through BASF’s AgBalance tool, which uses a series of indicators to calculate the social, economic and environmental impact of various farming practices, what Bertholet called “a holistic approach.”
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The report should provide producers with information to improve sustainability within their operations and assist with long-term planning, improving their bottom line along the way, said Bertholet.
The analysis tool will provide alternative fertilizer and pesticide regimes, machinery, crop rotations and other agricultural practices.
“How some of our products could potentially help mitigate risk in terms of yield fluctuation, those kinds of things,” he said.
“It’s a platform for us to have those kinds of discussions with growers … I think the study could show areas where we could make some changes to help improve his overall yield efficiency and help maximize his production and do it in a more sustainable way.”
Results of the study, one of several BASF is conducting, are expected in the second quarter of 2013. The AgBalance methodology, which makes use of expertise from agronomists, biologists, soil scientists and economists, is also being tested in crops in the U.S., Brazil, France and China.
Eventually, Bertholet said, the AgBalance tool could be developed into a web-based application for producers or combined with an existing certification method.
BASF is collaborating with various producer organizations on the project, including Pulse Canada.
Bertholet said he was aware of similar tools and calculators.
“I think it will complement the tools that are out there already that look at very specific pieces of what AgBalance looks at and then I think this will create some opportunities down the road for people to work together to bring tools that can be used at the grower level rather than have duplication out there,” he said.
“I think we’re all starting to realize, and I think there’s a willingness from people to work together on this.”
