Canada's farmers produce record crops despite droughts, floods and other natural disasters

After a year of flooding and a long dry spell, Simon Ellis expected "catastrophic" failure when he first drove his combine through this crop.

Instead of shriveled seeds, plump grains of wheat, oats, and soybeans were poured into the combine.

Ellis, 38, who is a fourth generation farmer in Wawanesa (Manitoba), credits the investment made into expensive systems, such as minimum- and zero-till agriculture, for helping to protect soil.

Tile drainage is an underground system that prevents flooding. It also contains pellets of fertilizer with a slower release rate, which are more efficient. A professional agronomist can provide advice on weedkillers.

He said, "We're always making small tweaks." "That's the only way we can continue to fight against climate change."

Farmers like Ellis are common in western Canada.

According to Canadian government statistics, farmers have produced better crops in spite of 'hotter and dryer' conditions. This is a far cry from what they could have achieved in better weather years ago.

While higher yields in Canada, and elsewhere, are depressing the global price for grains they keep many farmers in business.

A RECORD HARDEST HARVEST EVEN IN THE MIDST OF A DROUGHT

Many farmers have been able to survive the drought that started in 2020 by using adaptation practices, which are expensive and require cutting-edge technologies. The Canadian government announced earlier this month that it would be harvesting record amounts of canola and spring wheat by 2025. Because most grains produced in Canada is shipped and consumed overseas, these gains will have a major impact on the ability of the rest of world to feed themselves affordably. Australia, a large grain exporter in the world, also reported higher crop yields, despite dry conditions. According to interviews with 25 farmers, scientists, and leaders in the agriculture industry, as well as a review of over a dozen academic articles, this combination of technology and methods is helping Canadian growers not only keep up with climate changes, but also stay ahead of their ravages. According to government data, spring wheat used for high-quality bread yielded 58.8 bushes per acre in 2018. Based on a three year average, this is a 77% increase from 30 years ago. Canola yields have nearly doubled to reach 44.7 bushels an acre based on the same average of 1994-1996.

The agricultural experts interviewed in Nature said that climate adaptation strategies can help the prairies continue to produce larger and larger crops in the future. Rob Saik is a Canadian agronomist and has advised governments around the world. "Now, it's a complete failure."

A REGION WORLDWIDE RECOGNIZED FOR BEING DIFFICULT

Western Canada was experiencing extreme weather even before the climate change.

It was a notoriously hard region to farm.

Central prairies are a land of golden and green short grasses and thin, scrubby brushes. They receive half the amount of rainfall that Iowa does and have a shorter growing season.

Climate change has made it harder. Environment and Climate Change Canada

According to the report, extreme weather events are becoming more common and the country is warming twice as fast as the global average.

. On the prairies annual snowfall has decreased, and extremes in summer rain and drought are increasing. Rain often comes as torrents or even not at all.

In a report dated 2024, the federal department stated that extreme events such as floods, heatwaves or wildfires are damaging our economy, ecosystems, and built environment.

Not Miracles, but INCREASED GAINS

Scientists and agronomists agree that Canada's gains are not the result of a single, dramatic event, but rather from incremental, steady progress in farming techniques and inputs.

Now, many seeds are coming.

Thanks to genetic modification and conventional breeding, these plants are resistant to insects, diseases, and weeds. The application of fertilizer is timed to coincide with the planting of seeds to minimize soil disturbance.

The use of weedkillers, ungicides and nutrients allows crops to compete with their natural enemies.

Some strategies are reminiscent of pre-industrial techniques, like intercropping or growing multiple crops simultaneously.

Experts are also credited

Automation such as self-guiding tractor that applies fertilizer at different rates depending on soil testing and satellite mapping.

A FAMILY'S EVOLUTION IN ADAPTATION

The Mowbray Family began adapting practices with tile drainage four decades ago. They laid a small length of perforated pipes designed to allow the water to drain into the soil instead of spreading it on the surface.

In the past 12 years, Scott Mowbray (46), has increased the drainage system on his 800-acre property.

The Mowbrays, meanwhile, gradually reduced their tilling. In 2010, the 2,000 acres of farm were no-till. The soil was left unplowed, and stubble remained to act as a moisture-trap and barrier against the wind which would otherwise carry the topsoil.

Mowbray says that the innovations have allowed him to produce "incredible" quantities of spring wheat and peas, while using half as much rainfall.

TECHNOLOGY'S STEEL PRICE TAG

Many of the tools that have helped Canadian farmers deal with climate changes are expensive and complex. A smart combine can cost upwards of C$1,000,000 ($722,125.94). A high-speed-data-enabled tractor and seeding drill cost around C$2 ?million ($1.44 million).

Kip Eideberg is the senior vice president of government relations and industry relations at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which represents John Deere, Case New Holland, and other manufacturers. He said that precision systems are important.

The Canadian farmers have been able to save 9% on herbicides and pesticides. They also saved 6% on fuel and 4% on water. He said that this saves money for farmers who are operating on razor thin margins.

Terry Griffin, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University, says that most large-scale farms have such technology available in their 'tractors, combines and sprayers, as well as management computers. A younger generation of farmers may not have the funds to purchase machines or receive agronomic guidance.

Rural broadband access is one of the biggest obstacles to adoption. Mowbray cannot rely on his farm machinery to provide a continuous stream of data. He can't call his farm from his phone. He relies on radios to communicate with his farm.

He said that it was a simple but important thing to have when you're out in the field, and need a pickup but are unable to call home.

SEED SCIENCE: THE INVISIBLE Factor

Breeding genetically superior crops, which are drought-tolerant, hardier and yield more, is also important for farmers. "We're just starting down that path," said Rick Mitzel, CEO of farmer-and-industry-funded mustard seed development organization Mustard 21. The company is working on drought-tolerant plants to replace canola. Mitzel said in an interview that the varieties "develop roots faster, come out of ground quicker and get leafing quicker."

South East Research Farm, a farmer-controlled farm in Redvers in Saskatchewan, has been testing crops like camelina that is likely to be planted for sustainable aviation fuel in Canada. This could offer farmers higher yields and greater resilience.

Lana Shaw, executive director of the Canadian Farm Community Association, believes that climate change will not occur without causing losses to Canadian farmers. Some farmers will retire and not adapt. Some farmers will fail to adapt. Some farmers will thrive and adapt.

She said that "under pressure, they can adapt very quickly."

(source: Reuters)