Bayer president says the world’s ‘smallholder’ producers can make a difference by sequestering carbon in their soil
The smallest farmers might be the key to successfully using agriculture to fight climate change, Bayer Crop Science president Liam Condon said in a recent presentation. So many millions of “smallholder” farmers have so much improvement with their farming that the gains could be huge. “We believe agriculture can actually be part of the solution […] Read moreTag Archives climate change
What to know about climate change
Next week, the National Farmers Union will examine government policies that can support farmers in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously increasing margins and net incomes. The greatest threat to Canadian agriculture is climate change. Unless all nations slash greenhouse gas emissions, Canadian farmers will face large temperature increases, intensifying droughts and floods, the loss […] Read more
Don’t take farming and food for granted says U of C report
Canadians and Canada’s governments shouldn’t take farming and food for granted. That’s the bottom line of a June 9 report from the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. “Food security in Canada is not something to be taken for granted and government policy action must reflect the essential service agriculture provides for our nation,” […] Read more
Mexico’s cradle of corn, climate change leaves its mark
TEHUACAN, Mexico (Reuters) — At least 9,000 years ago, humans began domesticating corn for the first time near Tehuacan, in the central Mexican state of Puebla, laying the foundation for permanent settlements in the Americas. But in the past few years, more frequent and longer droughts have forced many farmers in the area to give […] Read more
Jet stream waves linked to multiple crop failures
Two or more weeks per summer under the influence of these waves are associated with 11 percent drop in crop production
In 2016, Canadians were horrified by the ferocity of Alberta’s Fort McMurray wildfire. It was suspected to be human caused, but also in play were an unusually hot, dry air mass over the northern part of the province, record-setting temperatures, relative low humidity and high wind gusts. It led to the largest wildfire evacuation in […] Read more
U of A climate change ad sparks controversy
Producer groups say billboard that claimed warmer climate would benefit Alberta barley production needed more context
A controversial University of Alberta billboard advertisement touting the benefits of climate change has caused concern among producer groups. The ad, which read “Beefier barley: climate change will boost Alberta’s barley yield with less water, feeding more cattle,” drew heavy criticism because many people thought it conveyed the message that climate change is good, even […] Read more
University’s climate change ad sparks controversy
A controversial University of Alberta billboard advertisement touting the benefits of climate change has caused concern among producer groups. The ad, which read “Beefier barley: climate change will boost Alberta’s barley yield with less water, feeding more cattle,” drew heavy criticism because many people thought it conveyed the message that climate change is good, even […] Read more
Canadian farm production likely to increase under climate change: FAO
A new United Nations’ report suggests just how climate change will reshape agriculture by 2050. It says international trade will play an ever larger role in helping to feed people in food-deficit regions as warmer temperatures and less precipitation will damage yields in many tropical areas. Temperate areas, such as Canada and the United States, […] Read more
Climate change poses low risks to irrigation
A study out of the University of Alberta looked to see if the province could meet its expansion goals
Despite climate change pressures, Alberta’s irrigation sector should be able to grow with few risks, suggests new research, as long as water supply doesn’t change too much and if new technologies are adopted. The research, conducted by the University of Alberta and funded by the Alberta Land Institute, looked to see if the province could […] Read more
Barley may thrive under climate change
Climate change could result in warmer and wetter conditions in northern Alberta and warmer and drier in the south
A warming climate could be good news for Alberta’s barley industry. University of Alberta researchers have embarked on a ongoing project to study adaptive measures and opportunities for water use for agriculture, petroleum and other sectors in the province. Watershed scientist Monireh Faramarzi and others have combined hydrology and climate models to assess water supplies […] Read more
