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Photo credit: Heather Landiak
The Central Peace Conservation Society (CPCS) has a long history of applied research in the Peace River region, focusing on projects within the Counties of Birch Hills, Saddle Hills and the MD of Spirit River. CPCS has some of the oldest, continuous trials on tillage and fertility management systems. Their priority is to promote sustainable agriculture practices that have proven to be economically viable and ecologically sustainable.
“One of our main program priorities is integrated crop management, including precision farming,” explains Melissa Fuchs, AESA Extension Specialist. “Through various efforts, we hope to see an increase in organic matter and a decrease in soil erosion by increasing the number of farmers who are adopting reduced or zero tillage practices.” There are several demonstrations comparing zero tillage to minimal tillage practices. “We hold a field tour annually in July to demonstrate these systems or management practices to producers. Producers can see how these systems work in their local areas and environments intrinsic to the Peace Region.”
Other projects focus on herbicide use, and helping producers get the most out of their investment. “We demonstrate to producers how they can get the most out of their economics, and how they can get their herbicides to work best for them by using proper application rates, timing and rotations,” says Fuchs. “The herbicide demonstrations go with reducing tillage as well.”
Nutrient management planning is another key program component. CPCS has several fertility demonstrations. “This year we are going to assess the benefits of using legumes in rotation as a nutrient component,” explains Fuchs. “The increase in the cost of fertilizer has producers looking for options to reduce their input costs.” Another project planned for this year is pasture rejuvenation using a low disturbance, zero tillage system. CPCS is also planning to begin projects focusing on manure, as well as fertilizer in nutrient management planning.
Fuchs is a Technical Advisor for the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan (AEFP), and is seeing the interest in the program rise. “I think the AEFP also increases producer awareness of our programs,” says Fuchs. “We get a lot of followup calls and interest in our CPCS program from those workshops.” Fuchs sees watersheds as an important area, and expects they will have a watershed group in the future. “We will be doing the Alberta Water Quality Awareness Day again this year. I think it’s a great program, and it really increases the awareness and is hands-on for everybody.”
“I think in the coming year we will focus on making our program more individual and personal,” says Fuchs. She feels the old rule of thumb holds, that for each person you tell, they tell 10 others. “By focusing more on building trust with individuals, they will encourage others to get involved.”
For CPCS, the AESA program continues to strengthen. “We have a pretty strong team, and I think producers are becoming more aware of our programs,” says Fuchs. Producers are asking more questions, looking for more research, and the AESA program is where they are coming for more information. “I think everyone is doing a great job, and we’re learning from each other’s successes.”
For more information, contact:
Melissa Fuchs at (780) 864-7006 or email: cpcsesa@telus.net |
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