FEBRUARY 2024 13 to enhance soil health,” related Black. The committee has visited various research locations across Canada, including the University of Saskatchewan and the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum in Ottawa. It has issued some preliminary vital findings that could lead to new initiatives to help farmers sustain and improve soil health. Findings from the committee include: 1. Soil Plays a Crucial Role in Food Production: Soil is the fundamental component in our food production, offering vital nutrients, water, oxy- gen, and essential root support for plants. Im- proved soil quality translates to increased food yield from less land, which mainly benefits re- mote and urban areas grappling with limited farmland and helps address the global demand for food. 2. Farming Practices Can Enhance Soil Health: Adopting no-till methods preserves valuable soil microorganisms crucial for plant growth. Plant- ing cover crops is emerging as an increasingly popular strategy to minimize erosion. Addition- ally, soil mapping and water management technology advancements empower farmers to be better stewards of soil health. 3. Soil Health and Climate Change are Interconnected: Climate change effects— including extreme weather events, altered rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures— impact soil health in multiple ways, including through erosion. Conversely, well-managed soil acts as a carbon sink, contributing significantly to the fight against climate change. 4. We must Protect Soil as a Resource: Soil, a finite resource that requires centuries to form, faces imminent threats from urbanization, pollu- tion, and climate change. The repercussions of these stressors extend to food accessibility, water quality, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of many Canadians. Watch for the full study to be published at https://sencanada.ca/en/committees/AGFO/44-1. The Industry Plan to Sell More Seed As farms merge and expand, one farm can now farm the same land area that used to belong to 10 farms. However, this change has not significantly affected the number of seeds sold in Canada. Quality, certified seed is an important input for retailers and a crucial resource for growers. In 2024, the seed industry will continue an important discussion about certified seed that began at 2023’s AgSmart event in Olds, Alberta. Held as part of the Field Crop Development Centre Field Day, the AgSmart event included a panel discussion facilitated by Seed World Canada magazine. It shed light on why increasing certified seed use is vital to the health of agriculture. It saw four well-known members of the Alberta seed community offer their thoughts on how to secure the future of Canadian agriculture through certified seed. The panel featured Sheri Strydhorst, a wellknown agronomy researcher and owner of Sheri’s Ag Consulting; Jeff Jackson, the General Manager of SeedNet Canada; Chelsea Tomlinson, the seed grower and operator of True Seeds; and Greg Stamp, the Seed Sales Manager for Stamp Seeds. The panel discussion revolved around the challenges faced by the Canadian farming industry, particularly those within the realm of seed breeding and adopting new crop genetics. Jackson expressed his concerns about farm consolidation. Stamp followed by stating that it’s clear we are falling short in communicating the benefits of genetics effectively. To illustrate this, Stamp started with the example of canola seed—a significant crop in Western Canada that has seen remarkable growth over the decades. “Despite the continuously rising cost of canola seed, farmers haven’t been deterred from planting more acres,” he said. However, he added that a contrasting narrative emerges regarding certified seeds for cereal crops. “Many perceive the cost as too high, but I believe we need to reshape this perspective,” commented Stamp. “We must work on conveying the message that this isn’t merely an expense; it’s an investment in securing the best possible future for our crops. “It appears that growers often miss this crucial aspect, and I think there’s a significant effort required to bridge this gap in understanding,” noted Stamp. Strydhorst acknowledged that it’s the seed industry’s responsibility to shoulder the task of education. “Whenever I come across a fellow grower and inquire about the variety they’re cultivating, and they mention an old variety, I can’t help but feel like there’s so much untapped potential in alternative varieties,” she related. “And I liken this situation to someone choosing to use a combine from the 1970s when they have the option to upgrade to newer models.”
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