The Semi-arid Grassland Research Center was used in the International Drought Experiment as part of this research. Credit: CSU College of Natural Sciences

Prolonged drought causes unprecedented productivity loss: Study

Colorado State University — Extreme, prolonged drought conditions in grasslands and shrublands would greatly limit the long-term health of crucial ecosystems that cover nearly half the planet, says new research published in the journal Science. “Climate change is bringing more severe and longer-lasting droughts to many locations around the world. Some ecosystems have shown resilience […] Read more



A control structure holds back water at the Morden Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada station in 2016, where a wood chip bioreactor was being tested. Photo: File

Bioreactors in tiled fields could themselves benefit from draining

Bioreactors are meant to filter nitrogen from tile water to help with runoff nutrient loads, but drying them out from time to time might increase their effectiveness

Bioreactors are meant to filter nitrogen from tile water and reduce extra nutrient running off int0 local rivers and lakes, but drying them out from time to time might increase their effectiveness.

alberta farmland and wind turbines

Benchmarking soil health in Alberta

Researchers at the Chinook Applied Research Association’s Soil Health Lab have adapted a soil health assessment from Cornell University to evaluate Alberta soils

Part 2 of 2: New analyses provide test results with handy scores that assess soil using a simple format, and make it easy for Alberta farmers to spot where an intervention or practice change might have the biggest effect.


Silvopasture/intercropping of fruit trees with crops; alfalfa with hazelnut tree on display by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada at Ag in Motion 2025. Photo: Janelle Rudolph

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

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.