Researchers are looking at Prairie farmers’ options for intercropping annual or perennial crops with shelterbelts composed of berry bushes and tree species such as seabuckthorn and buffalo berry, to boost biodiversity and returns.
Tag Archives biodiversity
Research studies fruit-forage intercropping
An Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada scientist shares the potential benefits of the practice found in trials conducted in Saskatchewan
Feds lift ‘pause’ on increases in crop chemical MRLs
New set of rules also calls for 'cosmetic' pesticide use to be banned on federal lands
Proposals to increase a crop chemical’s maximum residue limits (MRLs) on foods and food crops in Canada can again seek federal approval, after being put on temporary hold two years ago. Among several other changes, a planned new package of federal regulatory amendments will put a gradual end to a “pause” imposed in August 2021 […] Read more
Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy
Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee
The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more
One-third of China’s land protected under ecological ‘red line’ scheme
Authorities crack down on farm encroachment
Shanghai | Reuters — Nearly a third of China’s land is now off-limits to development under a scheme known as the “ecological protection red line,” a senior official said at a news briefing on Monday, bringing the country in accord with global biodiversity targets. China first proposed its “red line” scheme in 2011 to put […] Read more
France moves toward all-out ban on neonics
Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer […] Read more
Tips for ecological land management
Monitoring the ecological state of and changes in your farmland is of value to demonstrate proper land stewardship
Farms and ranches rely heavily on nature and ecological processes to produce food and to support our own families. Nature is quite an amazing entity and for the most part will try to do everything she can to protect us from our own mismanagement. In other words nature is resilient and covers a lot of […] Read more
New tool measures farm operation sustainability
Demand for “field print” calculations is on the rise
Energy consumption, land use, erosion and climate impact are key to environmental management. Consumers and food retailers are now demanding this type of information. But how do you measure your efficiency? A new calculator can help. Denis Tremorin, director of sustainability at Pulse Canada, is the driving force behind the Canadian Field Print Calculator project and […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
