Government of Canada Supporting the Development of New Tool for Farmers to Promote Tile Drainage Français

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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax

Feb 14, 2018, 16:03 ET

LONDON, ON, Feb. 14, 2018 /CNW/ - Farmers help drive economic growth in Canada, but they can also face risks that threaten the viability of their farms, such as unpredictable weather. The Government of Canada is committed to working with the sector to explore and develop new risk management tools that meet the needs of Canadian farmers when faced with serious challenges beyond their control. 

Member of Parliament for London North Centre, Peter Fragiskatos, speaking on behalf of Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, Lawrence MacAulay, at the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) annual general meeting, today announced a federal investment of more than $340,000 to OSCIA for the development of a tool that farmers can use to make more precise decisions on the economic benefits of their individual farm. 

The tool will use satellite data of field crops during different weather and soil events and demonstrate the potential benefits of managing water flow from fields using tile drainage.

Quotes

"Our government is proud to partner with OSCIA on new tools that will help farmers in Ontario reduce the impact of weather and other risks on agriculture production. The goal is to help improve their bottom line and ensure a more stable and profitable agriculture and food industry, creating well-paying jobs and strengthening the middle class."
-       Peter Fragiskatos Member of Parliament for London North Centre

"On farm fields with shallow slopes, scientists have confirmed that in a drought year, holding the water back by restricting the outflow with valves at the end of tile drains, corn yield can be increased by as much as 25%. Our analysis has confirmed that the economic payback from adoption of controlled tile drainage benefits can range from $18-$48 per hectare per year. In addition, Nitrate-N and Phosphorus output from tiles can also be reduced, calculated to be worth over $25 per ha in nutrient savings, certainly a win for improved water quality as well."
-       Mark Emiry, President of OSCIA

Quick Facts

  • The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association is a non-profit organization that facilitates responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops through development and communication of innovative farming practices for all commodity groups.
  • This investment was provided through the AgriRisk Initiatives program under Growing Forward 2, a federal, provincial, territorial initiative.
  • The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal-provincial and territorial governments, which will strengthen the agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sector, ensuring continued innovation, growth and prosperity. The Partnership will replace Growing Forward 2 in April 2018.
  • Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, producers will continue to have access to a robust suite of Business Risk Management (BRM) programs to help manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.  Changes to the BRM programs agreed to in July 2017, will come into effect for the 2018 program year.

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax

Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence Macaulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972

Related Links

www.agr.gc.ca

Organization Profile

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax