There’s a new focus on protecting biodiversity in native prairie grasslands in southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta.
Tag Archives biodiversity
New biodiversity areas identified for western grasslands
Initiatives in Saskatchewan, Alberta recognize some of the country’s most extensive and unique remaining prairie ecosystems
Certification’s winding road
Champions of regenerative agriculture have well-established talking points on cost-management and ecological goods and services when they pitch the management philosophy. They might note reduced input costs, healthier and therefore more productive soil, less erosion or more beef raised per acre without strain on the land. They might mention gains in biodiversity, soil microbiology and […] Read more
Producers take many paths to regenerative ag
Motivations for following regenerative agriculture practices vary from producing quality food to ecological stewardship
Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum across the Prairies, but it’s far from a one-size-fits-all approach. Still, the diverse practices share a common thread — a commitment to leaving the land, and the world, healthier for future generations. Regenerative agriculture has become somewhat of a buzzword but can be broken down to mean farming practices that […] Read more
New crop adds biodiversity as well as profit
Levelling technology allows farmers to grow rice in Switzerland as a way to restore unproductive swamp land
The hot August sun beats down on acres of rice plants as frogs leap along the dikes separating different paddies. A snake slithers among the reeds and hundreds of dragonflies among the green stalks are too preoccupied to pose for a picture. It will be another few months before the grains turn golden and ready […] Read more
Index calculates wetlands value for agriculture
The main outcome from COP29 was loose commitments to spend more on mitigating the effects of climate change
WINNIPEG — Food and agriculture were the main themes at the 2023 edition of the United Nations climate change conference, the Conference of the Parties. COP28 in Dubai was dubbed the Food COP because of that focus on agriculture. Other organizations said food was finally on the table in climate discussions. Food production was also […] Read more
Biodiversity mapping tool quantifies ecosystem services
New tool from Ducks Unlimited Canada is designed to help Prairie producers make conservation management decisions
Glacier FarmMedia – Leaving even 20 per cent of a field wild could help conserve more than 70 per cent of native species in a region, says Ducks Unlimited Canada, and that biodiversity could bring agricultural benefit to farmers. The data comes courtesy of a new tool in the organization’s conservation toolbox. The Prairie Biodiversity […] Read more
Bison industry looks to build better genetics
Recent tools are helping the bison sector manage its genetic diversity
Glacier FarmMedia – When a cattle producer wants to diversify the herd, there are many breed choices. For bison producers, the pickings are slim. Canadian bison producers can draw from only two genetic wells: Wood bison and Plains bison. Efforts are ongoing to bolster biodiversity and protect some genetic lines. “Everyone assumed that there was […] Read more
New report offers ways to stem grassland loss
The study’s authors conclude that survival of the endangered grassland ecosystem will require protection through policy
REGINA — Preventing farmers who break native grass from obtaining crop insurance for five years is one of nine pathways for policy discussion in a recent report. The report, Stemming the Loss of Grasslands in Canada, A Scan of Policy Solutions, said grasslands represent Canada’s largest natural climate change mitigation opportunity, yet each year about […] Read more
CropLife worries about Environment Canada
It didn’t get a lot of press, but last fall the federal government took a stand to support Canada’s agriculture industry. In December, the United Nations held a biodiversity conference in Montreal. The participants signed an agreement, called the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, to protect nature and reverse biodiversity loss. Leading up to the final agreement, […] Read more
CropLife worries about Environment Canada ‘over-reach’
As an example, on June 20 the federal government announced that the use of cosmetic pesticides will no longer be permitted on federal lands. Federal environment minister Steven Guilbeault praised the decision.
