The Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association (SSCA) has entered into a new three-year partnership with Winnipeg-based Monsanto Canada. This partnership will provide the SSCA with $150,000 annually to encourage the adoption of sustainable reduced tillage cropping systems aimed at providing farmers short-term economic gains and rebuilding soil quality through Saskatchewan.
"The farmers we've worked with across Saskatchewan have found that reduced tillage initiatives help them save time and money, and improve productivity on their farms," said Howard Heinrichs, Reduced Tillage Marketing Associate of Monsanto Canada."If we can find a way to support the efforts of SSCA, help farmers, help the environment and also meet our business goals at the same time, then we have a win-win project."
In addition to the focus on farm management practices, Heinrichs added that the partnership will allow SSCA to maintain their staff of field agrologists and give improved focus and resources to SSCA's efforts to share information with farmers throughout the province. "For us, the opportunity to support local community initiatives and the farm sector in Saskatchewan is a big plus".
Blair McClinton, Executive Manager of SSCA agreed. "The program we have jointly developed is a good opportunity to improve our outreach to farmers and really show them they can practice soil conservation techniques on their farm, without increasing costs or investing in new, expensive technologies," he said. "The additional resources and focus will also allow us to improve our communication with farmers, which in turn, should increase adoption of soil conservation techniques among farmers."
The three-year program's three major focus areas include:
Reduced tillage practices provide farmers, the environment and society in general with significant and long-term benefits such as reduced soil erosion, improved water, air and soil quality, increased farm profitability, and improved wildlife habitats. Since 1987, SSCA has been a major player in promoting sustainable farming practices, including reduced tillage. Adoption of reduced tillage throughout the province, however, has not been uniform. This is generally due to a lack of resources dedicated to creating awareness and understanding of the tangible benefits of reduced tillage practices and difficult farm economics in recent years. The goal of the SSCA-Monsanto venture is to provide the resources to increase the adoption of reduced tillage.