Agronomists and farmers working together to improve nitrogen management through a cost-share program

Nitrogen fertilizer use in Canada has increased dramatically over the past several decades, and its use has contributed to major environmental impacts. Using nitrogen more efficiently is key to reducing its use, while sustaining or increasing crop yields.

However, farmers are reporting that they mostly rely on past experience when determining the amount of nitrogen to use, rather than on soil test results or advice from agronomists. The costs of detailed soil tests, soil mapping, and agronomy services represent substantial barriers for farmers. They also face the potential risks of reduced yield and financial loss.

This program seeks to train agronomists to work with farmers to adopt and document improved nitrogen management, and offers a 50% cost-share for farmers to access these trained agronomists. The program's ultimate goal is to maximize nitrogen use efficiency, reduce nitrogen waste, and to help achieve Canada’s nitrogen emissions reduction target. This program has a value of $40/tonne.

Photo: Annie Richard assessing soil condition at the Kitchen Table Seed House in Wolfe Island, ON

Want to learn more about this program? Download our full report here

Supporting farmers to plant cover crops through a per-acre payment program

A cover crop is an unharvested crop grown in addition to crops grown for harvest. They build soil organic carbon, while reducing soil erosion, nutrient leaching, and the need for nitrogen fertilizer when they include legumes. Farmers who plant cover crops also find that this practice helps to lessen the management of weeds, diseases, and pests.

However, farmers also report that many of the benefits from cover cropping increase over time, and that it can take between three to five years to see a full cost-recovery. That is why this program is designed to cover the initial costs of cover cropping through a per-acre payment to scale up this practice across the country. This program has a value of $52/tonne.

Photo: Mowed down fall rye cover crop at The New Farm in Creemore, ON

Want to learn more about this program? Download our full report here

Supporting ranchers to implement rotational grazing through a cost-share program for planning and infrastructure

According to the 2016 Census of agriculture, about 50% of beef producers currently use rotational grazing, which is the practice of moving grazing animals through a set of paddocks, where they remain for a short period of time. Ranchers who use advanced grazing practices see an increase in the quality of their pastures, as well as the overall health of their herds. This also contributes to improved soil health, which in turn increases the soil's capacity to sequester carbon and reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizers.

While rotational grazing is becoming a more widely accepted practice, major barriers to adoption remain, as ranchers face a lack of support for planning, labour and infrastructure. Ranchers need support to create a detailed plan, and to invest in new infrastructure like fencing and water sources.

To reduce these barriers and scale up adoption, this program offers a 50% cost-share to develop an advanced grazing plan with an agronomist or grazing mentor, and for the purchase of required equipment and infrastructure. This program has a value of $77/tonne.

Photo: Practicing advanced rotational grazing at Local Valley Beef in Fredericton, NB

Want to learn more about this program? Download our full report here

Reinforcing farmers as stewards of the land through a reverse auction pilot program to conserve existing forests and wetlands

Trees have always played a vital role on farmlands; they continue to sequester carbon as they grow, they reduce soil erosion and provide protection for crops and herds. Wetlands on farms also act as carbon sinks, and are important ecosystems for biodiversity and habitat conservation.

Between 2010 and 2017, Canada lost 12,000 hectares of forest to agriculture every year. Additionally, it is estimated that, every year, 356,000 hectares of wetlands on the Prairies are at risk of being drained and converted to cropland. The goal of this program is to protect these ecosystems, under a reverse auction program, where eligible farmers submit competitive bids to implement permanent conservation agreements. Since farmers aren't able to then use these areas as farmland, this program helps cover that cost, and ensures that all Canadians can benefit from the protection of these ecosystems. This program has a value of $8/tonne.

Photo: Riparian buffer on a PEI potato farm

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Transition on-farm energy beyond diesel through pilot programs

To date, limited attention has been paid to emissions from on-farm energy use, which is dominated by diesel combustion. While many Canadian sectors, like electricity and transport, are taking swift action in the clean energy transition, agriculture has been left behind; farm machinery and equipment need to be prioritized.

Government retrofit, clean energy infrastructure and targeted tax incentive programs are present in other sectors, and we see an opportunity to draw on these experiences and others to design agriculture-specific programs.

Photo: Tony Neale using Solectrac’s prototype, electric tractor, powered by the farm’s 10kW solar array at Wheelbarrow Farm in Sunderland, ON

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Shining a light on farmers who implement climate-friendly practices through an awards program and awareness campaigns

We want to inspire change from fence post to fence post! We know that hope and optimism are key elements to get everyone on board for our climate transition, and we want to showcase and amplify the voices of farmers who are charting the path for sector-wide change.

Farmers learn best from other farmers, and from seeing practices being implemented with success, on similar operations as their own. Seeing others thrive with climate-friendly farming helps us see ourselves in the transition, too.

This program offers prizes to farmers who are implementing climate-friendly farming practices, ensuring that prize allocation reflects the remarkable diversity of farmers and farms across Canada. A major part of the funding from this program will go to support the data collection of GHG mitigating impacts, to properly understand the benefits at farm, regional and national levels.

Photo: George Klassen is one of Canada’s exemplary farmers implementing climate-friendly practices. FaspaFarm, Manitou, MB

Want to learn more about this program? Download our full report here

Emissions reduction targets for agriculture are increasingly common. Canada doesn’t have one yet

Two countries, Ireland and New Zealand, have entrenched agriculture-related targets in law. Countries like Germany, France and the Netherlands have clear targets for the agricultural sector. A similar target and/or carbon budget for agriculture in Canada would send much-needed signals to farmers and industry actors that a climate-oriented transition is necessary and underway.

Sustainability targets beyond emissions reductions are guiding whole-sector transitions. Canada can build on this.

Countries are setting targets for farms under sustainable or agro-ecological production, reduction of fertilizer use, acreage under certified organic production, and more. Some countries, like Ireland, have set numerous sustainability targets for the agricultural sector that contribute to their vision for a climate-resilient food system. Canada now has a target for fertilizer emissions reduction, which is a first step that must be expanded on.

Comprehensive and holistic strategies are guiding climate policies in agriculture. Canada has a chance in front of us.

Several countries have developed far-reaching strategies that address agricultural emissions, but also take into consideration biodiversity, farmer income, and more. The EU’s Green New Deal and Farm to Fork strategy is particularly exemplary. The UK’s recent agricultural transition plan is also an excellent example of the potential for strong strategy to guide reform. The development of a Canadian strategy that takes a holistic approach to climate-friendly agriculture will help us meet the challenge and urgency of the climate crisis. Canada recently announced the development of a first-ever Canadian Agri-Environmental Strategy. The success of this strategy will be measured by its ability to drive emissions reductions, improve farmer livelihoods and advance equity in our sector.

“Building back better” means driving climate action in agriculture. Canadian spending in agriculture should drive emissions reduction

As governments spend unprecedented amounts of money in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential to spur climate action in agriculture should not be overlooked. Countries like France, Germany, Denmark and others are leveraging stimulus spending to kickstart climate action in the sector. Even more action is expected under the new Biden administration in the US. Equally important is reform of harmful subsidies that work against environmentally-friendly practices. Canada should ensure stimulus for the agriculture sector prioritizes climate action and removes barriers to emissions reductions.

Ian McCreary

Grain and livestock farmer, McCreary Land & Livestock Ltd., SK

With my wife and two sons we own and operate a mixed farm in central Saskatchewan. We have 2,000 acres of annual cropland, approximately 600 acres of hayland, and protect around 300 acres of wetlands. The livestock includes beef cattle and a small flock of goats. We are involved in a community pasture where 34 patrons collectively graze 2,000 cow calf pairs on 40,000 acres of fragile lands. We have a partnership with a conservation organization in that pasture who provide a biologist to assist us with improving our grazing rotation to improve range health and habitat for endangered species. On our farm we have a 16.9 kw solar array for the production of the power for our farm. In the past year we have begun mapping all of our soils by zone to improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce nitrous oxide emissions while hoping to sustain or improve output. We have some experience with cover cropping. We spend a portion of our winter management trying to better understand how we can reduce our environmental footprint.

Arzeena Hamir

Vegetable farmer, Amara Farm, BC

Arzeena earned her Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science from the University of Guelph and a Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of London, England. She worked as a CUSO volunteer in Thailand and as a researcher in Jamaica, India, and Bangladesh. She was the staff Agrologist for West Coast Seeds from 1997-1999 and served as the Coordinator of the Richmond Food Security Society from 2008-2012, and in 2010 helped launch the Richmond Farm School. She and her husband moved their family to the Comox Valley in 2012 and run Amara Farm, a 25-acre certified organic farm in Courtenay, BC. In 2018, Arzeena was elected to the Board of the Comox Valley Regional District where she serves as both Vice Chair and Director.

Dr. David Burton

Soil Scientist, Professor, Department of Plant, Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University

Dr. Burton’s research examines the role of the soil environment in influencing the nature and extent of microbial metabolism in soil. His focus has been on processes in the cycling of nitrogen in soils and their implications for soil fertility and environmental impact. His current research programs involve an examination of the production and consumption of greenhouse gases in natural and agricultural landscapes, the development of tools for the measurement of soil nitrogen supply to plants, influence of climate on soil biological processes, and the assessment of the quality of the soil biological environment and its influence on soil health. Over the past decade his work has focused on potato production in Atlantic Canada. It is the aim of this work to better understand the factors that control soil microbial processes and to use this information to develop sustainable land management systems in a changing climate. He was awarded a Dalhousie University Research Professorship in recognition of his research accomplishments. Dr. Burton teaches courses in Introductory Soil Science, Soil Fertility and Nutrient Management, Soil Microbiology and Air, Climate, and Climate Change. He has been working on the development of blended learning and on-line learning approaches. In terms of service, Dr. Burton, is a Past President of the Canadian Society of Soil Science, serves as an Associate Editor of Canadian Journal of Soil Science, and is part of Fertilizer Canada’s 4R advisory panel. He has served as chair of a number of national advisory panels with respect to nutrient management and agricultural responses to climate change. He is currently a member of Équiterre’s advisory committee on Improving Climate Resilience and Climate Mitigation in Agriculture.

Vanessa Corkal

Policy Analyst, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Vanessa Corkal combines her expertise in climate change adaptation and food security with over nine years of documentary, journalism and non-profit experience. In her work, she focuses on capacity building for community, civil society and government partners to develop and implement effective climate change and livelihood strategies. Vanessa crafts compelling research, content and communications while managing complex project logistics. Her interests lie in community-based adaptation and mitigation, Indigenous knowledge, agro-biodiversity and biocultural diversity. Previous work experiences include climate change research, communications and project management for the Prairie Climate Centre (University of Winnipeg) and the First Nation Adapt program (Crown-Indigenous Relations & Northern Affairs, Government of Canada). She holds a Master of Climate Change from the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Aaron DeLaporte

Senior Research Associate, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, University of Guelph

Aaron’s research program examines the environmental and economic tradeoffs of innovative agricultural BMP adoption using spatial bioeconomic and transportation modelling. He has examined wetland management throughout Canada and biomass-based bioenergy in Ontario and North Dakota. His current research focuses on 4R nitrogen management, precision agriculture, cover crops and genomic technologies.

Cedric MacLeod

Principal at MacLeod Agronomics and Rancher at Local Valley Beef

Cedric grew up in Carleton County, New Brunswick. He graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Soil Science major, Plant Science minor. In 2004 he received a Masters Degree from the University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Science. As Executive Director at CFGA, he works to uphold the Canadian forage industry and realize the potential of the domestic and export forage market. He spent 4-years with the Canadian Pork Council as the National Environmental Programs Coordinator, established MacLeod Agronomics Ltd, in April 2007 as an advisory firm to support innovation and production advances for Canadian farmers, including environmental, agronomic, energy and business management. Cedric manages 260-acres of pasture, forage and cash crops using intensive rotational grazing, extended grazing season and no-till cropping system concepts. He has been producing grass-finished beef for direct market to local customers for 7-years.

Dr. Brian McConkey

Chief Scientist, Viresco Solutions Inc.

Dr. Brian McConkey is Chief Scientist for Viresco Solutions Inc, an environmental consulting firm that helps clients strategically navigate the complex and evolving world of sustainability with a focus on agriculture, greenhouse gases and sustainable supply chains. Prior joining Viresco Solutions, Brian had 33 years of diverse experience in agri-environmental research, technology application, and science policy, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada within the Canadian Government. Internationally, he was lead author for three IPCC methodological reports and co-chair of the Integrative Research Group of the Global Research Alliance on Agriculture Greenhouse Gases. He is author or coauthor of over 200 scientific papers and book chapters covering soil and plant processes, soil health, water-agriculture inter-relationships, impacts of climate change on agriculture, quantifying carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions at field to national scales, and the assessment of the sustainability of agricultural production.

JANE MCDONALD

Executive Vice President, International Institute for Sustainable Development

Jane provides leadership to IISD’s global team, accelerating solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resources, and fair economies in over 50 countries. With over 15 years of experience working with governments, corporate executives, and major think tanks to advance sustainability, she has worked in the financial sector building new environmental markets and led efforts to increase cross-border renewable electricity trade between Canada and the US.

More recently, Jane served as policy director for the Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change, where she supported the Canadian government’s role in the Paris Agreement as well as negotiations with provinces on the pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. In 2018 she served with a diverse group of stakeholders on Canada’s Generation Energy Council, producing the first energy vision for Canada consistent with the country’s climate goals.

Scott McFatridge

Senior Research Associate, Smart Prosperity Institute

Scott McFatridge is a senior research associate at the Smart Prosperity Institute and the manager of SPI's Clean Growth in Agriculture program line. His research focuses on policies to enhance sustainability in working landscapes - including carbon and biodiversity offsets, payments for ecological services, voluntary ecological certification schemes, and behavioral 'nudges'. Prior to joining Smart Prosperity Institute, Scott worked as a research associate for the International Institute for Sustainable Development and the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. He has a Master's degree in Public Administration from the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University.

Mike Moffatt

Senior Director of Policy and Innovation, Smart Prosperity Institute

Mike Moffatt is the Senior Director of policy and innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute and an Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy group at Ivey Business School, Western University. In 2017, Mike was the Chief Innovation Fellow for the Government of Canada, advising Deputy Ministers on innovation policy and emerging trends. He has also previously held the titles of Director (Interim) of the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management and Chief Economist for the Mowat Centre at the University of Toronto. Mike has worked with politicians and policy markers of all political stripes in several countries to craft more effective public policy. From 2013-2015 Mike served as an economic advisor to Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. Mike holds a Ph.D. in Management Science from Ivey Business School and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester.

Dr. Alfons Weersink

Professor, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, University of Guelph

Alfons Weersink grew up on a farm in St. Marys, Ontario, where he developed an interest in the economics and structure of agriculture. His academic career began at the University of Guelph, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. During the period between his master’s and Ph.D., he worked in the farm lending industry, and returned to the University of Guelph as a faculty member after completing his Ph.D. at Cornell University. In addition to being a faculty member, Alfons is also an assistant coach for the Gryphons women’s varsity soccer team.

Dan Woynillowicz

Principal at Polaris Strategy + Insight

With nearly two decades of experience working at the interface between energy, climate change, policy and politics, Dan offers a unique blend of skill and experience. Before starting Polaris Strategy + Insight he was the Deputy Director at Clean Energy Canada, a think tank at Simon Fraser University. His responsibilities included managing a team of analysts, advisors and communicators, while overseeing research and analysis that informed strategic policy and communications advice to federal and provincial governments. Keeping his finger on the pulse of the energy transition, he curated the selection of stories, commentary and analysis for the weekly Clean Energy Review. Throughout his career he has researched and written numerous reports on the environmental, climate change, economic and political dimensions of the energy transition in Canada. He is frequently called to testify before regulatory and legislative bodies, quoted in media, and regularly publishes commentary in Canada’s leading publications. In 2019 he received a Clean50 award for advocacy, recognizing his leadership in clean energy solutions.