Evidence of meeting #87 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crops.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:10 p.m.
Senior Vice-President, Fertilizer Canada
Thank you for your question.
In French, we call them “4B”.
4:10 p.m.
Senior Vice-President, Fertilizer Canada
The basic concept is that there are four things you have to get right if you're going to use fertilizer well. First, you have to pick the right source of fertilizer, and that may be manure if it's available, or you have to make a decision whether you're going to use ammonia, or ammonium nitrate, or ammonium sulphate for your nitrogen source, and the kind of sulphur you need, etc.
You have to decide what nutrients are in the soil, and how much of the nutrients the crop will use. You have to determine the absolute amount of fertilizer that you need to apply to provide a good diet for the plants and crops that you're growing. Then you have to put the fertilizer in the right place. Often, that means putting it under the soil, so it's not exposed to the elements, and is in proximity to the seed where the roots can use the fertilizer efficiently, and there's less chance of it being lost to the environment.
Finally, it's the timing. For example, it used to be a practice, and it still is in some places, to apply manure in the winter, or fertilizer in the winter. You run a great risk if you're applying nutrients on frozen soil that in the spring it will simply run off. In other areas, timing may relate to when you have heavy rains, and you don't want to be applying your fertilizer right before heavy rains, as again that's a loss. Some farmers split-apply their fertilizer. They put on a certain amount in the spring, but then they go in the middle of the year when the plant is growing vigorously and needs a boost, and give it additional fertilizer.
It's looking at all those things together, those four areas—the source, rate, time, and place—that give you a better chance at getting your fertilizer to be more efficient in the crops you're growing.
A big part of the program is also to not just look at the economics of your farm, but also to look at the environmental issues where you are. In Prince Edward Island, the issue is that nitrates have been getting into the groundwater from a number of different sources, so a lot of the focus there, and using the 4Rs, is to reduce losses of nitrates to the aquifer system.
In western Canada, a lot of the focus has been on greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide being lost to the air because of the different growing conditions. In the Great Lakes region, people are very worried about phosphorus getting into Lake Erie, so a lot of the effort is on using the 4Rs to reduce phosphorus losses.
Finally, then, society itself has issues like being able to grow sufficient food for the population, but also more local things like reducing conflict between farmers and city people. If we, as a group in agriculture, are able to demonstrate we're being responsible in our fertilizer use, perhaps we'll have a better relationship with people who live in towns and cities.
It's those three areas of sustainability—economic, environmental, and social—that are embedded in the whole planning process. It's really about making wiser decisions when you're using fertilizer, manure, or other sources of nutrients.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
Eva Nassif Liberal Vimy, QC
Thank you very much for that explanation. Now I understand what is involved.
My next question is for both of you.
As we know, everything about the use of pesticides and certain fertilizers is stigmatized owing to the perceived association with food quality, water contamination from runoff and overuse, soil degradation, and so forth.
I would like each of you to comment on this. We know these problems will not disappear.
That said, what approach should we take to maintain the quality of products for Canadians and for export and to ensure that environmental standards are upheld?
4:15 p.m.
Director, Grain Growers of Canada
I'll use the example that was brought up earlier, neonicotinoids being examined by PMRA. It was examined a few years ago by the Ontario government, particularly because of certain things to do with bees. Now it's to do with aquatic insects being threatened, because they found a couple of spots. When I say a couple of spots, we're talking about millions of square miles in Canada.
We weren't testing for it very much. In the last year, as an industry we ramped up, made sure, because we didn't want that very useful pesticide threatened. We were quite sure and we all believe, as farmers, we are using the products that are available to us in a safe manner and in a way to produce safe food.
4:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
We're out of time. Thank you. Perhaps you'll have a chance with another question.
Mr. Dreeshen, for six minutes.
February 5th, 2018 / 4:15 p.m.
Conservative
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
It's great to have an opportunity to talk to farmers about the weather. As someone who has about 50 years of farming the same land, I know exactly the kinds of issues and concerns you're dealing with. I don't necessarily want to go through my life experiences, as I'll have opportunities later to tell my colleagues about that.
Certainly, if you cherish the environment, you support a farmer, because it's their life. Everything they do is so important to make sure that their land is ready for the next year. The pesticides that are being used are there for a reason. The work that has been done over the last 15 to 20 years to reduce the number and the amount of pesticides and to be able to select.... Even for sprayers nowadays you can go through and you're not spraying the whole field. You're just going after the weeds. Those are the kinds of things we have.
Mr. Graham, on the fertilizer side of it as well, we have the different types of placements and the different levels for various crops. All of this comes because of the technology that's associated with it. If you're going to pay $250,000 for a seed drill that's going to do that, then that's part of it, and it's also part of the reason.
Farmers are doing that, and there's a great risk they are taking in order to make sure they can look after their land and have the ability to take their product—the best in the world—and sell it around the world as well. These are the kinds of critical things that I believe we have to look at.
One of the things that I have here is on the business risk management programs and the discussion about where that may go in the future. Could I get some specific information on AgriStability and the late participation approach they have suggested?
A late participation mechanism has been added that provincial and territorial governments can trigger to allow producers to enter the program late in situations where there is a significant income decline and a gap in participation. The mechanism will only be triggered in response to significant events and benefits will be reduced by 20% for producers who enrol late, to encourage regular annual enrollment by producers.
There are a lot of people who aren't involved in any of those kinds of programs. They manage their risk in so many different ways. They have cattle or whatever and have different ways of managing risk. My concern, of course, is that you're going to pay for that difference somewhere along the line. I've also read in documents that there are going to be extra associated costs, so that is going to come from somewhere. I'm just curious as to whether you've had opportunities to talk to the government about some of the effects that there could well be because of these new approaches they are planning to take on the business risk management programs.
I believe, Mr. Wiebe, that you probably have been somewhat engaged in that.
4:20 p.m.
Director, Grain Growers of Canada
Yes, I have. I'm engaged to the point that I know what is being planned or being worked on. I'm not at the front lines of it. There's a whole new committee that's just been formed and just became active, and it's reviewing all of the BRM programming. It's rolling out April 1, but they're reviewing it now as well, to look at what might be changing down the road.
One new aspect is that they've allowed each province to decide if they're going to also provide that somewhat costly new option. Our province has chosen not to. I think most farmers would see it a bit like buying insurance after the house burns down. Also, how do you make that available? It will actually drop enrollments, likely, because now I have an option to go into it when I feel like it, instead of paying the money up front every year.
4:20 p.m.
Conservative
Earl Dreeshen Conservative Red Deer—Mountain View, AB
The way I look at it is that it's like buying insurance as the house is burning down. Yes, you take a 20% cut, but.... I know it isn't exactly that way, but take a look at the process there. Your neighbour, who's been engaged and involved with this all the time.... AgriStability has its own nuances anyway. It's a case of being able to just jump in.
The costs I've seen in some of the other articles that are associated with it.... They're going to add some costs here and so on. It has to be paid for somewhere.
I appreciate getting the information on that. The farmers have always had to do a census, and they continue to do that. We continue to get phone calls constantly about what we've grown or the fertilizer that we use. That continues as it always has. I just want to make sure that everyone recognizes that part of it.
Mr. Graham, the discussions that you have with regard to the four Rs in the recommendations.... Again, farmers have been doing these kinds of things because it's important. It's like getting the information you need from Kansas on the weather. You're going to do what is needed in order to make sure that there is some margin of profit for you to be able to function. These are the sorts of things we're looking at.
The concept of the government making decisions on financial incentives means you have to build a bureaucracy in order to deal with that type of thing, whereas most farmers would say to just get out of their way and let them do what they need to do because they understand their circumstances.
What kinds of issues do you see as far as potential incentives?
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
We're out of time.
I want to thank the panel. Unfortunately, this is all the time we have in this first hour of our panel discussion. I really want to thank Mr. Graham from Fertilizer Canada, and Mr. Wiebe and Mr. McCann from Grain Growers of Canada for being here with us today. It's been very informative, and it will certainly help us with our report.
We shall break to change the panel and then be right back.
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Once again, welcome to everyone.
We will begin the second hour of our meeting.
We now welcome by video conference Mr. Louis Gauthier, general manager of Les Fraises de l'Île d'Orléans inc.
Thank you for being with us today, Mr. Gauthier.
We also welcome Mr. Marc Laflèche, chairman of the board of directors and agricultural producer, from the Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens, as well as Ms. Emilia Craiovan.
Thank you for being here today.
Would you like to begin, Mr. Gauthier?
4:30 p.m.
Liberal
4:30 p.m.
General Manager, Les Fraises de l'Île d'Orléans inc.
With regard to climate change, we are seeing some positive signs in our region. The changes can be quite positive at certain times of the year and negative at other times. That is not the case in other regions of the province, in Montreal in particular. Eastern Quebec is known for its cool and rather damp climate in the summer. We notice that, when we plant our crops at the end of April or early May, climate change does not really have a significant effect on us at this time.
We are seeing more dramatic changes in September and October, however, with temperatures that are much higher than in the past. This delays the deadly frosts, which is good for us. In the past few years, this has meant a longer production period in the fall. In the past five years, for instance, we have been able to produce strawberries outdoors right up to October 20 or 25, whereas in the past it was hard to get to October 10 and we often had to intervene to protect the plants from the fall frosts. Using large tunnels, we can now easily produce raspberries up to the beginning of November.
Although the production season is getting longer every year, we are increasingly noticing something else. Extended periods of insufficient precipitation will likely force horticultural growers in our region to keep larger reserves of water for irrigation to respond to severe drought. In 2017, for instance, on Île d'Orléans we went more than 60 days without precipitation, and close to 50 days in 2016. The Montreal region has experienced the complete opposite, with very heavy rains throughout the summer. Further, there were numerous disasters in late summer in the Saint-Rémi region, where more than 200 mm of rain fell in less than an hour, destroying all existing crops.
In our region, the yields for crops such as potatoes were significantly lower last year since we do not have sufficient irrigation infrastructure to deal with such situations. In the very near future, we think the federal government should invest in irrigation infrastructure for horticultural production in Eastern Canada to prevent disasters caused by extended drought.
For southern Quebec, it is becoming clear that investment is needed in drainage and run-off infrastructure to drain the land quickly in the event of unusual episodes like the ones we saw in late summer 2017. That would save existing crops.
For my part, I have more than 33 years of experience growing small fruits on Île d'Orléans. In the beginning, strawberries were produced over a three-week period each year, from June 24 to July 15. With the advent of new production methods and everbearing varieties, we can now produce strawberries from the start of May until October 25, for five months of production. For raspberries, production used to run from July 20 to August 20. Now it starts every year on July 7 with the first raspberries and extends right to October 31.
And what about blackberries? Since the climate is too cold in our region, in Eastern Canada, that is, no one would have expected us to be able to produce so much.
Adapted production techniques, production infrastructure, and the overwintering methods for these plants make a difference, but a warmer climate increases their production.
As to the effects of climate change on soil preservation, that does not seem to be a big concern for our region for the time being. However, the extreme events that are happening more and more frequently, such as in the south of Montreal, result in a much more marked erosion cycle and degrade the soil more quickly.
We must remain vigilant about climate change. Although the effects are more positive than negative in certain regions such as ours, the opposite is true in others. Is this entirely the result of climate change? I cannot answer that question. There are extreme trends, however, such as droughts and rain storms, that are a cause for concern.
Thank you for your attention.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Thank you, Mr. Gauthier.
Mr. Laflèche now has the floor for seven minutes.
4:35 p.m.
Marc Laflèche Chairman of the Board of Directors and Agricultural Producer, Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens
Thank you.
I had a little map distributed to you that shows the United Counties of Prescott and Russell as well as Glengarry and the region a bit further west. Do you see the yellow line? That is the South Nation River. You will notice that the South Nation flows from south to north and empties into the Ottawa River.
I would like to tell you a bit about the history of drainage in my region.
When the land was first cleared, it was hard for people to work the land or plant grain. It was good clay soil, but it was so flat that it was hard to drain it. There was the Nation River, the streams that flow toward it, as well as the gullies, as we say in my region. Farmers then started digging ditches to drain their fields. They made channels. That kind of flat land was perfect for growing hay and the land stayed moist in the summer. The problem was that people could not go into the fields too early to plant corn or soy and, as soon as it got rainy in the fall, they could not harvest the corn in the fields.
In the 1970s, systematic drainage was introduced in our region. Municipal drains were built to drain the lands and let the water run off as it should. The drainage was marvellous. Farmers had drains every 50 to 60 feet.
Nowadays, some farmers have started installing drains every 25 feet so they can get into the fields earlier in the spring. If it is rainy in the fall, they can get into the fields sooner.
The problem we have had in the past few years, however, is the drought in July.
I will let my colleague talk about the new control system to keep water in the fields.
4:40 p.m.
Emilia Craiovan Representative, Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens
Good afternoon, members of the committee.
I will briefly present on controlled tile drainage and research conducted by Agriculture Canada with producers such as Mr. Laflèche and the South Nation watershed. I completed my master's degree on this in 2009 at the University of Ottawa.
Despite climate change projections, producers must manage water on their farms efficiently and effectively. We want to provide farmers with the means to manage water in their fields in the context of maximizing crop production.
In Ontario, about 1.6 million hectares of agricultural land are tile trained. But tile drainage often drains water from fields during periods when producers want to conserve that water for crop use.
There are times to control water losses and times when we want to let it go. To do so, control structures can be installed at the tile outlets to manage water flow, making water available for plant use. Excess water from the field can still be drained by overflow in the structure.
I passed around a few papers. If we take a look at the first slide on the second page, we see the control structures. What we have noticed is that by installing these structures on the outlet tile, we reduced the tile flow by 60% and increased water storage in the field by 15%. By doing so, crops benefit from water and nutrients conservation. Yields increased from 10% to 30% in the short term, and in the long term from 3% to 8%. This practice also provides benefits to the environment, as nutrient runoff is reduced by about 60% and bacteria by 75%.
Studies on satellite imagery indicate as well that crop growth benefits from controlled tile drainage increase when seasonal precipitation is low.
Given all the economic and environmental benefits, why is controlled tile drainage not practised as it could be?
Well, we asked the question to the producers who have been participating in this practice. They are happy with the agronomic benefits derived from water retention and reducing nutrient loss, and they are also proud to reduce the impact on the environment. But deterrents to the practice include increased farm labour, increased cost to farming operations, and the lack of support.
At the beginning of our project in 2005, only one producer was interested in participating in this research. Today hundreds of hectares in the South Nation River basin are now under control tile drainage, managed largely as a result of our research. Thank you to the producers who agreed to participate.
Thank you.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan
Thank you very much for your presentation.
Now we'll go to the question part of our panel.
Mr. Berthold, you have six minutes.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Many thanks to the three of you for appearing before the committee today. It is not every day that we get to hear from growers from our part of the country. I am sure Mr. Drouin will have some good questions for Mr. Laflèche.
Mr. Gauthier, greetings to you from my colleague who was a member of this committee...
4:45 p.m.
General Manager, Les Fraises de l'Île d'Orléans inc.
Do you mean Ms. Sylvie Boucher?
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Precisely.
She was the one who invited you. She really wanted us to hear what you had to say. She was so happy to meet you and still says that the strawberries from Île d'Orléans are the best in the world.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
Is it because of climate conditions that the seasons are longer?
4:45 p.m.
General Manager, Les Fraises de l'Île d'Orléans inc.
Île d'Orléans has a microclimate. Since we are surrounded by water, the weather is always temperate, which is good for a plant like strawberries, which prefer a cool climate.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Luc Berthold Conservative Mégantic—L'Érable, QC
You said that, for the many years that you have been growing strawberries on Île d'Orléans, the season has increased from a few weeks to nearly five months. Have you had to change your methods as regards the soil?
You said there are not a lot of problems with the soil, but I would imagine that the more demands you place on the soil, the more you have to look after it. What steps have you had to take to extend the season?