Most of us have probably heard of terms like crop rotation or GMOs, but what do they really mean? Farmers, like Matt Sawyer from Sawyer Farms in Alberta, are often asked questions about their practices. Here, we dive into a few of the common things people ask.
Why is farming important?
Canadian farming and farmers keep food on the table for everyone who lives in Canada. Without them, we’d have to import more food, which would make it less available and more expensive.
In fact, modern farming practices – including the use of plant science, such as pesticides and plant biotechnology – help Canadians save more than $4,000 per year on food.[1]
Farming is also a key driver for Canada’s economy. It directly or indirectly employs around two million people (or one in eight Canadians). The entire industry also generates $100 billion for the Canadian economy each year. Canadian-grown canola alone contributes over $19 billion.[2]
What is crop rotation?
Crop rotation is when farmers alternate the crops that they grow on a particular piece of land from one year to the next. Since every crop is prone to different diseases, weeds and insects, it’s important to reduce these risks through crop rotation.[3]
It also helps maintain nutrients in the soil and reduces soil erosion. Different crops need different soil nutrients, so rotating crops keeps soil healthy and helps nutrients to replenish. Ultimately, rotating crops preserves a farmer’s land over time.[4]
What GMOs are grown in Canada?
There are six GMO crops that farmers can choose to grow in Canada: canola, corn, potatoes, soybeans, sugar beets and alfalfa. Another six – apples, cotton, eggplant, papaya, squash and sugarcane – are grown elsewhere around the world.
Farmers have grown these crops for nearly 25 years and not a single case of illness has been attributed to them. Health Canada is also responsible for making sure all foods in Canada, including GMOs, are safe.
Why do farmers grow GMOs?
Many farmers choose to grow GM crops because they are bred to achieve benefits such as resistance to certain insects and diseases, herbicide-tolerance or enhanced nutritional value. For instance, the Sawyers use canola that is genetically modified to be herbicide tolerant. This means they can more effectively manage weeds in their fields that would otherwise be devastating to the crop, without harming the quality of the canola itself.
In their case, using GM canola also lets them embrace more sustainable farming practices, including conservation tillage, which leaves more water and nutrients in the soil. GM crops bred to stand up to pests and severe weather also help farmers pass over fields less, reducing soil erosion, protecting soil quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
[1] https://croplife.ca/facts_figures/average-canadian-household-saves-4000/
[2] http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/about-us/publications/discover-agriculture/infographics-agricultural-products-and-their-impacts/?id=1530198199592
[3] https://aitc-canada.ca/en-ca/learn-about-agriculture/category/farming-the-environment/crop-rotation
[4] https://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Crop-Rotation-on-Organic-Farms/Text-Version/Physical-and-Biological-Processes-In-Crop-Production/Crop-Rotation-Effects-on-Soil-Fertility-and-Plant-Nutrition