Arthur, along with his wife Gwen, and family of 4 girls, farm in the Glenavon district, about 100 km ESE of Regina in the area containing moist dark brown and thin black soils. They grow a multiplicity of crops including peas, canola, barley, wheat, including winter wheat and fall rye over about 1400 acres seeded annually. Arthur and Gwen both are very active members of their community, and have served on school boards, church boards, agriculture board, Sask. Wheat Pool committee, and Arthur currently belongs to a producer group that meets regularly. This producer group discusses a variety of topics and take a high interest in what the SSCA is doing.
When asked what he thought was important about soil conservation, Arthur replied that we have learned a lot about prevention of erosion and keeping our soil in place. They have experienced both heavy rains and dry conditions in the 80's on their farm, and soon realized the care needed to preserve what they had, and prevent further losses. In order to take action on water management, the area formed a Conservation and Development district, collects levies and has a local board to help manage the annual plan. Arthur serves on that board.
Reflecting on what we have learned in the past, Arthur and Gwen both stated the fact that we have learned a lot about time saved in farming operations. Methods of farming have changed tremendously, and they sensed they had to adopt new techniques such as direct seeding to keep pace with the forefront of the industry.
They retrofitted a seeding machine that works in their soil type and and crop rotation regime and, in doing so, avoided a heavy capital investment that might have placed undue stress on their farming operation. They have utilized efficient practices such as more chem-fallow, less tillage, growing winter cereals and are continuing to evolve into better agronomic practices that fit their area.
The next step may be uncertain as they feel they are near the limit of practical rotation cropping, but see the advantages of some legumes in their plan. They will continue to manage with changes to rotations, weed control and a more active time spent in marketing.
They see the future as very bright and applaud the SSCA in their efforts to educate people on the benefits of carbon sequestration, and hope the appropriate government officials soon take notice and take action. The Murray's would also like to see more farmers get involved in education others about this practice, and feel an important opportunity exists in the job of educating the farming community about carbon, global environment issues and changing techniques in the agricultural industry. Arthur says that more and more farmers should learn the advantages of direct seeding and soil carbon sequestration.
Arthur is currently serving on the board as an active regional director for the southeast, and represents the board on the management committee to IHARF, (Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation), taking a keen interest in the precision farm research project.
Arthur welcomes your comments and questions anytime.