Saskatchewan’s strong agriculture sector is rooted in healthy soil practices: Senator Klyne
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In Saskatchewan, we know the importance of healthy soil. When it comes to protecting soil health, our province is well positioned to be a leader. In fact, Saskatchewan has little choice but to lead the way: we are home to more than 40% of Canada’s total cropland, and we have one-third of Canada’s native grass and forage land.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry — which is conducting a new study on soil health — I have some insight on soil health in Canada. Our committee has heard from many experts, including those in academia, research and science, industry associations, agriculture and farmer associations, and senior-level representatives of agriculture ministries.
Across Canada, soil sustains our woods and grasslands, and their plants and animals. It’s also a vital resource for Canadian livelihoods, including construction, forestry, and of course, agriculture. We hope the results of this study will serve as a guide for the federal government to better protect this valuable resource.
Unfortunately, soil hasn’t generally been viewed as a precious resource, so it has not always received the attention it deserves. Agricultural production, commercial development and the effects of climate change can all affect the health and productivity of soil, and impact food security. If we want to ensure Canada’s soil remains healthy for future generations and that we can maximize its full economic potential, then we must take steps to protect its health and well-being.
Throughout our study, the testimony so far is clear: progress has been made, but governments can do a better job of protecting soil health. Soil degradation and erosion remain challenges, and some farmers have not yet adopted modern, environmentally friendly farming practices. The disruptive effects of climate change are also cause for concern.
But Saskatchewan has shown that we can improve soil health and increase crop yields while still working towards a cleaner environment. Over the past three decades, Saskatchewan’s grain production has increased; we hit 40 million tonnes in 2020.
Over the years, new agricultural practices such as cover-cropping (planting crops to cover the soil), zero-till farming (planting crops without tilling the soil), rotational grazing (moving animals from one area to another to graze) and intercropping (planting two or more crops near one another) have all helped enhance sustainability in agriculture. Saskatchewan is an early adopter of many of these strategies — for example, approximately 95% of land seeded to annual crops in our province is now done using either minimum or zero tillage.
Technology can also play an important role in managing soil health. Modern farmers now use tools such as digital soil mapping to manage water use, improve fertility and maximize crop yield. Farmers and other experts have told our committee about the importance of monitoring soil health, and they’ve spoken about the importance of sharing data. We need to do a better job of tracking soil data and using it to improve soil conditions. The Saskatchewan government currently invests more than $35 million annually in agriculture innovation and research. That’s a great start, but we can always do more.
Saskatchewan is leading the way when it comes to soil health and sustainable agriculture. I hope all Canadians reflect on the importance of soil and the role it plays in our daily lives, from the food we eat, to the wood in our homes, to the carbon level in our atmosphere. I thank all farmers and other stakeholders who have contributed to our Senate committee’s soil study, and hope that Canadians will continue to work together to protect this precious resource.
Senator Marty Klyne represents Saskatchewan in the Senate. He is also a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
A version of this article appeared in the April 20, 2023 edition of The Hill Times.
In Saskatchewan, we know the importance of healthy soil. When it comes to protecting soil health, our province is well positioned to be a leader. In fact, Saskatchewan has little choice but to lead the way: we are home to more than 40% of Canada’s total cropland, and we have one-third of Canada’s native grass and forage land.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry — which is conducting a new study on soil health — I have some insight on soil health in Canada. Our committee has heard from many experts, including those in academia, research and science, industry associations, agriculture and farmer associations, and senior-level representatives of agriculture ministries.
Across Canada, soil sustains our woods and grasslands, and their plants and animals. It’s also a vital resource for Canadian livelihoods, including construction, forestry, and of course, agriculture. We hope the results of this study will serve as a guide for the federal government to better protect this valuable resource.
Unfortunately, soil hasn’t generally been viewed as a precious resource, so it has not always received the attention it deserves. Agricultural production, commercial development and the effects of climate change can all affect the health and productivity of soil, and impact food security. If we want to ensure Canada’s soil remains healthy for future generations and that we can maximize its full economic potential, then we must take steps to protect its health and well-being.
Throughout our study, the testimony so far is clear: progress has been made, but governments can do a better job of protecting soil health. Soil degradation and erosion remain challenges, and some farmers have not yet adopted modern, environmentally friendly farming practices. The disruptive effects of climate change are also cause for concern.
But Saskatchewan has shown that we can improve soil health and increase crop yields while still working towards a cleaner environment. Over the past three decades, Saskatchewan’s grain production has increased; we hit 40 million tonnes in 2020.
Over the years, new agricultural practices such as cover-cropping (planting crops to cover the soil), zero-till farming (planting crops without tilling the soil), rotational grazing (moving animals from one area to another to graze) and intercropping (planting two or more crops near one another) have all helped enhance sustainability in agriculture. Saskatchewan is an early adopter of many of these strategies — for example, approximately 95% of land seeded to annual crops in our province is now done using either minimum or zero tillage.
Technology can also play an important role in managing soil health. Modern farmers now use tools such as digital soil mapping to manage water use, improve fertility and maximize crop yield. Farmers and other experts have told our committee about the importance of monitoring soil health, and they’ve spoken about the importance of sharing data. We need to do a better job of tracking soil data and using it to improve soil conditions. The Saskatchewan government currently invests more than $35 million annually in agriculture innovation and research. That’s a great start, but we can always do more.
Saskatchewan is leading the way when it comes to soil health and sustainable agriculture. I hope all Canadians reflect on the importance of soil and the role it plays in our daily lives, from the food we eat, to the wood in our homes, to the carbon level in our atmosphere. I thank all farmers and other stakeholders who have contributed to our Senate committee’s soil study, and hope that Canadians will continue to work together to protect this precious resource.
Senator Marty Klyne represents Saskatchewan in the Senate. He is also a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
A version of this article appeared in the April 20, 2023 edition of The Hill Times.