Governments, farm organizations, food manufacturers, and researchers have described a seemingly impenetrable wall to productive discussions on sustainability in Prairie agriculture.
Tag Archives carbon sequestration
Unblocking the pathways to profits and sustainability
A Western Manitoba farmer’s PhD may help bridge the divide between farmers and the rest of society
Unique Manitoba partnership offsets carbon emissions
Glacier FarmMedia – Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is partnering with Manitoba Habitat Conservancy to offset some of the Crown agency’s carbon emissions. The arrangement will see the agency contribute $72,300 to the non-profit Grassland Stewardship Agreements project, and used to cover the infrastructure costs of fencing for Ritchie Bison and their neighbour, Brian Powell, near […] Read more
Wool sector shines at fibre festival
Event highlights wool sustainability, textile skills and sheep breeds, including the 2024 breed of the year: Icelandic sheep
The wool industry believes it has good ammunition to support product sustainability. Wool is a natural fibre, grows back and is harvested from grazing animals whose management can benefit soil health, biodiversity and carbon sequestration. It’s even more sustainable if wool products can survive rips and tears. That’s one reason the Sept. 6-7 Manitoba Fibre […] Read more
Ranching has vital role in Prairie conservation
Born and raised in Calgary, we took many family camping trips into the Prairies. I was always awed by the massive expanses of grasslands, the endless blue skies and the diversity of birds, mammals and insects we would see. I remember having to clean our windshield at every stop along the way because the dead […] Read more
American company takes deep dive into root research
Scientists plan to use gene editing to decrease drought risk, increase carbon sequestration by making plant roots bigger
Glacier FarmMedia – An American company is gene editing roots to make them grow larger so plants can better tolerate drought and sequester more carbon. Cquesta chief executive officer Michael Ott told the Agri Tech Venture Forum that half the human impact on carbon released to the atmosphere can be accounted for if nature can […] 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
Climate change plan needs ‘proportion and perspective’
Glacier FarmMedia – The ag industry has a chance to get a hand on the reins of climate change discussions. That was the takeaway from a panel discussion at the 2024 Canadian Crops Convention in Winnipeg March 6. Kristjan Hebert was the farmer voice on the panel. He is president and chief executive officer of […] Read more
Pulse sector welcomes federal research funding
Pulse Canada is getting $11 million in federal funds to take crop production to the next level. The funds from Agriculture Canada were announced earlier this month at the University of Manitoba by Winnipeg South-Centre MP Ben Carr on behalf of federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay. “This is going to be an extremely powerful catalyst […] Read more
Farms may store as much carbon as oilsands emit: expert
The ability to measure carbon sequestration from the air will give producers a better idea of what’s stored in their soil
CALGARY — Scientists suspect prairie producers are sequestering as much carbon in their fields as is being emitted by Alberta’s oilsands. Researchers may soon be able to measure and verify carbon sequestration more accurately and easily from above, said Lenore Newman, director of the Food and Agriculture Institute at the University of the Fraser Valley […] Read more
Farmers demand incentives for environmental changes
REGINA — A federal environmental strategy for the agriculture sector should be viewed through an economic lens, says a report from consultations on the proposed Sustainable Agriculture Strategy. It should reflect regional differences, recognize early adopters and improve data and measurement. The “what we heard” report was posted to Agriculture Canada’s website during the holiday […] Read more
