By Alice McFarlane

USask student studies crop rotation practices

Feb 3, 2021 | 12:40 PM

MELFORT, Sask – Environmental and agricultural policy decisions have huge economic impacts on producers.

A University of Saskatchewan (USask) student wants to hear about farming practices and examine how these actions have impacted the environment.

Chelsea Sutherland, an agricultural economics master of science student studying under the supervision of Dr. Stuart Smyth, launched the Crop Rotation Survey in Saskatchewan last fall.

Sutherland also farms with her husband near Wilkie. She said it is work that she connects with.

“This project is so important to me, not only as a student but also as a farmer because I know the results will benefit farmers like me, my family and other farming families across Saskatchewan,” Sutherland told farmnewsNOW.

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The survey looks at components of on-farm operations; seeding, chemical use and fertilizer, from tillage to harvest from 1991 to 1994 and 2016 to 2019.

“This gives a good picture of how practices have changed over the 25-to-30-year period,” she said. “How farm sustainability and on farm sustainable operations have changed over this time period.”

Sutherland said the survey will ask questions about zero-till, removal of summer fallow from crop rotations, the diversification of crop rotations and the crops being planted. The results will provide a picture and quantify the steps farmers are taking on their farm, voluntarily, towards improved sustainability.

One current issue, the increase of the carbon tax to $170 per tonne, is especially concerning. She said these policies impact farmers in a significant way.

“That proposed increase has had a major impact on why we’re doing this project and the results we want to share,” she said.

Sutherland said even with some exemptions in place she thinks farmers deserve more.

“We are already doing a lot on farms to help improve sustainability especially in terms of carbon sequestration. We think this should be recognized in policy decisions,” she said.

Results will be shared with policymakers, governments, and the public to help shape policy in a way that helps farmers get the credit they deserve for their contributions to Canada’s climate change goals.

Just over 100 Saskatchewan farmers have completed the survey so far. Sutherland said they are hoping to double that number by leaving the survey open until early April.

Farmers can register on the Crop Rotation Survey Facebook page. Sutherland said the Sustainable Agriculture Innovation and Food web page also has the link.

Sutherland said everyone who completes all components will receive $200.

“We know that there is a lot of details we ask for and it will take a couple of hours. We’re giving farmers $200 if they complete the whole survey,” she said.

Sutherland encouraged farmers of all ages and experience levels to participate even if they have not farmed in the particular time frames mentioned.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF