National Soil Conservation Week

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine today marked the beginning of the 12th National Soil Conservation Week by highlighting the importance of soil conservation to Nova Scotia's agriculture industry.

"Agriculture is a resource-based industry and soil conservation is key to its future growth and success," said Mr. Lorraine. "I am proud to say that Nova Scotia producers are taking steps to conserve the soil we have and are always looking for new, more effective and cost-efficient conservation methods."

A large number of Nova Scotia producers have adopted no-till or minimum till practices. Planting is done without tilling so the soil is not disturbed. This practice is usually done for annual crops, like small grains, soybeans and corn. Work is currently being done on the most effective way to drill seeds into the soil for planting without disturbing the soil.

"Nova Scotia farmers are very interested in taking steps to conserve our soil and ensure it is a sustainable resource," said Tim Fisher, a department crop specialist. "Interest has definitely increased over the past few years."

Mr. Fisher said producers have also adopted contour planting to fend off erosion when crops are planted on hills or slopes. Crops are planted horizontally instead of vertically to slow water run-off between the rows. Such run-off can be a major cause of soil erosion.

In some cases, farmers also plant a grain crop, such as winter wheat. Spring grains can also be planted in the fall as a cover crop on fields that will be seeded in the spring.

"One of the main causes of soil erosion is having an unplanted field exposed over the winter," said Mr. Fisher. "By planting an annual grain crop in the fall, the crop has a chance to grow a few inches before dying off in the winter. The dead growth provides a protective covering for the soil over the winter, causing less erosion."

Working groups have been established across the province in which department staff and producers discuss such conservation issues as minimum tillage and identify challenges and solutions. A recent information session on minimum tillage in Old Barns outside Truro attracted 60 producers from across the province.

A one-day field tour has been scheduled for late July where specialists from the United States will be brought in to discuss minimum tillage and new technologies for direct seeding.