/AL.|.|1=3^ X-X Issue 3 1 MATTERSpring 2S007 A n ewsletter from the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Council Grass, Grazing & G rassroots From AESA Council s P ast Chair By Bruce Beattie, Alberta Milk A sho rt 200 years ago, it is estimated that R i e over 30 million buffalo roamed the prairies, me r sustained by a sea of native grass within a n atural sm a / ecosystem. Alberta’s cattle have moved into MR W the buffalo’s ecological niche, and by adopting CC pgrraozdiuncge r ss y shtaevmes b beaesne d a b luep o nto tphroosfei t abbalsyi c m atennaegtse, Sandi their cattle, maintaining forage productivity while also sustaining the many ecological functions that healthy grasslands provide. Like an iceberg, most of the grass plant is with both tame and native pastures can be below ground level. This provides its natural grazing. The cattle are the “solar-powered ability to regenerate after grazing, to build and managed in a complementary way, providing harvesters,’’ turning that fibrous plant material, hold the soil against the ever-present wind, flexible systems that make the most of the good into high quality protein, through the miracle of millions of rumen bacteria. and to survive prairie fires. Today, sustainably qualities of each. managed grazing lands remain the foundation This flexibility can allow the producer to extend Sustainable grazing management is truly a for crucial environmental benefits like protecting “grassroots’’ movement, in which people at the the grazing season. Given Canada’s climate water quality, conserving soil, and maintaining and growing global competition, extending local level are the energy source for growth wildlife habitat. the grazing season makes a lot of sense. It and progress. As I r ead through the biographies At the same time these lands provide valuable makes economic sense because dormant season of speakers from the Western Canadian economic benefits to cattle producers. Healthy grazing, swath grazing and bale grazing are Grazing Conference held in Edmonton this rangeland is able to tolerate and recover from less expensive than traditional winter-feeding past December, I felt humbled by the wealth drought and has more stable forage production; systems. It makes environmental sense because of knowledge and abilities of the individuals allowing the producer to maintain a stable herd a well-managed grazing system distributes who spoke of their experiences in grazing and manure nutrients across the pastures. And it livestock management. size and a stable cash flow. Grazing systems makes production sense because it’s healthier This edition of Green Matters looks at grass for cattle to be out on the land. WHAT’S INSIDE and the grassroots. It explores examples of These days, grass is making sense in some the energy - and synergy - of increasing our other ways, too. A niche market is growing knowledge by sharing experiences and learning |7« SPusatasintabuler eGrsaz in g . with Tame & N ative among consumers who prefer grass-fed beef about sustainable grazing management. This And science shows that grazing is an effective issue talks about how producers, extension • Building Grazing Extension Capacity way to enhance the levels of conjugated linoleic agents and researchers are bringing together all • A G razing School ‘Marathon’ acid (CLA) in beef CLA is a fatty acid which they have learned to enhance our understanding • Graziers Learning from Graziers naturally occurs in beef and which has many of sustaining our grazing landscapes for • Council Profiles: Agriculture and Food health benefits for humans, including the ability generations to come. Council; Alberta Pulse Growers to fight cancer. • Ag Practices to Conserve Rare Species Grass roots are solar batteries powering grass plants to grow each spring and re-grow after 1 Sustainable Grazing Management for Multiple Benefits Managing pastures well is a real win-win the native pastures time to get a g ood start. He spend a f air bit of time monitoring what is g oing situation both for the fanner and for the on and thinking things over on how to get the says, “Several of the tame species work quite environment,” says Albert Kuipers, the Forage well for earlier spring grazing.” Technician/Manager for the Grey Wooded Forage Association. He explains that sustainable grazing Kuipers notes, “Another practice is putting bKeusitp e jrosb dnootnees. ” that well managed pastures offer animals on tame pastures pretty much throughout important environmental benefits. For instance, management improves forage productivity, the growing season and saving the native pastures a good cover of forage plants holds moisture, lowers input costs, increases net returns and for winter grazing. Improvements are being topsoil and nutrients better than an overgrazed reduces environmental impacts. observed in their native pasture health from pasture. On overgrazed land, rainfall and snowmelt tends to run off, rather than soaking “Whether you’re managing tame or native doing that.” Some native plants are especially forage species, the basic principles are exactly good at retaining their nutrients over the winter, into the soil. This runoff can carry nutrients and the same. After the plants have been grazed, which is another reason why some ranchers use soil into nearby creeks and ponds, decreasing they need to have the appropriate rest to grow native pastures for winter season grazing. In the health of both the land and water. Healthy into maturity before they are grazed again. addition, winter grazing costs much less than a pastureland also provides for wildlife habitat The whole idea is to prevent the animals from traditional winter-feeding system. (see Developing Producer-Friendly Practices to grazing the same plant again, a s econd time, just Conserve Rare Species). “By managing the pasture well, when the plant is starting to grow back,” notes Kuipers. Providing appropriate rest periods you can slowly increase the He says, “Most farmers have the environment as a p riority. They are living in the environment ensures healthy, productive plants that provide and they can see what is g oing on when things good grazing. carrying capacity.” aren’t working well. I’ve seen over the last few Effective rest periods can be best accomplished “Whether you’re talking about summer or winter years that many farmers are working at reducing through a rotational grazing system, where grazing, basically you’re managing for healthier their footprint on the environment.” cattle graze a series of small pastures, rather grass and a healthier forage stand. Regardless than a continuous grazing system, where cattle of whether they are tame or native, healthier graze a single large pasture all season long. stands tend to produce more forage. I’ve seen quite often where, in a continuously grazed For more grazing Kuipers says, “[In rotational grazing] basically, you give the cattle just enough area to graze it pasture, some of the best species tend to be lost management to the point where you want it g razed to, and [because the cattle overgraze]. And the species information... then you move them along [to the next piece that are left, the ones that can survive under continuous grazing, tend to miniaturize. So over of pasture].” time the carrying capacity of the pasture slowly Some great options for producers A r ancher who has a combination of tame and who want to learn more about grazing decreases. By turning around and managing native pastures can set up a g razing system that the pasture well, you can slowly increase its management are: makes the most of both types. Kuipers notes that the key difference between native and tame carrying capacity,” explains Kuipers. • grazing schools (see Grazing School pasture species is that most native species tend He adds, “With sustainable grazing, one of the ‘Marathon’ in the Milk River Basin), to grow much more slowly. To accommodate advantages is increased net returns because including some that are specifically for women this difference, the rancher could put the cattle you are getting more forage with less physical on the tame pastures in early spring, allowing inputs. However, it does require the manager to • Alberta Public Lands agrologists, PFRA staff, and municipal or producer group rural extension staff • grazing mentors and grazing clubs (see Graziers Helping Graziers) Alberta Agriculture’s Call Centre (toll- free in Alberta at 310-FARM) • Western Canadian Grazing Conference • websites like www.foragebeef.ca, RogerB r yan gwowvw..acbo.wcsaa^nldafnids/hm._orrm_g1 a.nhdt m lw.v yw.srd. 2 Range Management Extension: Building Expertise “ he Southern Alberta Rangeland Network In 2007, participants will work on their own grazing extension, without reference to a X ( S ARN ) i s working to build capacity in range project, with the advice from a c oach. The project person’s experience level. In short, we can all management extension in mral municipalities, is a real-life extension activity that fits into the learn from each other.” conservation agencies, producer groups and other overall extension program of the participant’s stakeholders. SARN is g uided by Don McLennan agency. It helps the participant learn more about Fundamental to SARN is the concept of ’building capacity’ in people. From the very beginning, of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/PFRA, packaging and delivering information to meet participants are involved in developing the Barry Adams of Alberta Sustainable Resource the specific needs of producers in their area. concept, refining the training program, and Development/Public Lands, and Greg Hale of At the end of the second year, the participants determining what they get out of the process by Alberta Agriculture and Food. their commitment. will come together in a w rap-up session to share lessons learned, tools and experiences. Supported by PFRA’s Greencover Technical “SARN’s goal is to build a network of Assistant Component, this two-year training initiative started in February 2006 and involves “Barry Adams describes SARN as an opportunity professionals in rangeland management who understand what it takes to work together with a combination of workshops, hands-on training, to Team from the circle’,” explains Hale. “When we acknowledge that all participants bring producers to create healthier rangelands and and mentoring assistance for participants. In the with them a level of experience and specific first year, classroom and field sessions helped landscapes,” says Hale. skills, then we can create training events where participants learn more about range management all participants can contribute to inereasing and methods to extend this knowledge to producers. everyone’s understanding of rangeland and in the Grazing School ‘Marathon’ Milk River Basin Grazing schools provide an excellent, hands- the second program, running concurrently, had on way for producers to learn more about more in-depth information on specific topics.” grazing management. Schools are held in various Alberta locations each summer. For instance, He adds, “It was a b it of a marathon, but it c ame together really well. And the only way we could a three-day, three-location school was held last June in the Milk River watershed. pull it off was with all our partners. On top of the municipalities and the watershed council, “It was a co-operative project that came from we received a lot of support through PFRA’s ow Cardston County, the County of Warner, the Greencover Technical Assistance Program and an m County of Forty Mile/Cypress County, and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development/ Ro the Milk River Watershed Council Canada,” Public Lands. And MULTISAR (multiple Day One at the Del Bonita Campground, sfaryosm T Ciamr d Rstoomna n oCwo,u nt yth.e “EIxtt e hnasdio n b e Sepne c isaloimset sanpde c iFeiss-ha, t O preirsak t icoonn s eGrrvaasstliaonnd iCniotmimatuinviet).y , C oawnsd part of the three-day grazing school Tim time since grazing management principles, the Nature Conservancy of Canada all provided The partners are looking at doing a follow-up project this year with participants from the 2006 new technologies, and practices had been technical support or funding.” demonstrated to a lot of the producers in the school, including possibly working one-on-one Milk River watershed, which is over all of our The school’s classroom and field sessions with interested producers to develop a grazing municipalities. had speakers from agricultural and resource management plan for their ranch. management agencies as well as local producers For more information, contact Tim Romanow talking about their innovative systems. “We had a long list of topics, from range (403-653-4977; tim(^cardstoncounty.com). plant ID to stocking rates, grazing management strategies, riparian health, watering systems and Romanow notes, “Many of the producers came to two days or all three days. They got a b igger even issues with species at risk and things like picture of range management and all kinds of the Canada-Alberta Fanw Stewardship Program. options to help them make their operations We had a split agenda, one program focused on more economically and environmentally the core principles of grazing management, and sustainable.” 3 Graziers Helping Graziers Grazing clubs and grazing mentors are two great ways for producers to leam from each other. Grazing clubs: “A grazing club is a group of isBllaaiemnyoapdsdmr i o vAm veraaernnnsdodai l gtd eywm r o as rMn Dak ait wvgt hiestosoom gine eo nst nhthf.ae r rro e m o“ Ifta t o P ’ w scFta hRor eAamdi ’smrs ko ingt nr Rhdae a s dn s eogglsfoeai na r dle ps a e, neot”drof Kuioers/GWFA A. support. Everybody shares their goals, and then everybody helps each other to stay motivated and reach their goals.” He adds, “There’s a real synergy that evolves from working together. Being part of a club empowers the producers to take practical action Grazing mentors: The Sustainable Grazing towards improving natural resource stewardship, Mentorship Program is a consulting/mentoring Improving production profitability and quality of life on their farms program of the Agricultural Research and efficiencies & t he Extension Couneil of Alberta (ARECA). The and ranches.” environment program pairs experienced graziers with less At present there are about 25 clubs starting up experienced or novice graziers. in Alberta. “It’s driven from the grassroots. A n ew, easy-to-use, readable guide Albert Kuipers of the Grey Wooded Forage If people want to start a club, we’ll give called Cow/Calf Operations and them help. I’ve got a start-up kit to give Association is one of the mentors. He says, “The Greenhouse Gases offers win-win options program is designed to help people get started them as a guideline,” explains Mattson, who for cattle producers and the environment. in grazing management. For a $ 100 investment is coordinating the Alberta clubs. “We’ve tried to model the clubs the same across Canada by the producer, a mentor like myself or one of “Cow-calf producers are already making so if federal money becomes available, it can the many others, will come to the producer’s a significant contribution to the removal place for about 1 6 h ours of consultation over the and reduction of greenhouse gases in be integrated very easily.” Clubs register with the atmosphere. By altering their existing Mattson so that “if new information or a new course of several visits.” management strategies, they have the program comes along, we can make sure they’re The mentor assists the producer on things like potential to increase their production aware of it.” preparing a grazing plan, adopting appropriate efficiency, creating positive results both A c lub consists of: beneficial management practices, or whatever for the environment and their profit is necessary to help the producer develop a • a k ey grass manager, who is an experienced sustainable operation. margin,” says Kerrianne Koehler-Munro of Alberta Agriculture and Food. grazier and the club’s contact person; • a minimum of five other graziers; and Kuipers gives an example. “I worked with one The Cow/Calf Operations and gentleman who had a l ot of grazing background Greenhouse Gases guide identifies • a technical support person selected by the but was new to this country, having come from club. certain management practices and Europe. He just didn’t know what to make strategies that address greenhouse The technical support person is an agricultural of our wild climate. So we worked together gas emissions reduction and/or carbon extension agent or specialist from a m unicipality, developing his grazing system so that it would sequestration in a cow/calf operation. PFRA or other agency who has considerable be more drought proof” Within a couple of The guide’s sections are arranged by grazing management experience. The tech years, this producer went from a situation where support person does the legwork to put the his pasture eapacity was sometimes barely practices, like ‘Incorporate legumes into sufficient to get through the growing season, to tame pasture’ or ‘Chop, grind or pellet club’s plans into action. having enough grass leftover after the growing low quality feeds’, so producers can Club activities might include: pasture tours, season to allow grazing for most of the winter. quickly find the information they want. And each section has a note about club meetings, visiting speakers, and courses like Ranching for Profit. Topics could focus For more infomiation on this program, visit current research to help producers keep www.areca.ab.ca. on developing grazing plans, establishing up to date on new findings. forage stands, or extending the grazing season. The publication will be available online at “Whatever they need, whatever their goal is, w e www.agric.gov.ab.ca or from figure out how to reach it and then go for it.” Koehler-Munro (780-427-3628; kerrianne. For more information, contact Arnold Mattson [email protected]). (780-495-4593; [email protected]). 4 'i ~ C O UN Cl L P R o F I L E S Agriculture and Food Council Alberta’s Agriculture and Food Council (AFC) focuses on ndoetveesl oSphmaerpn.t of the biofuel industry, so we work hand-in-hand,” \ ^ supporting the industry’s growth, competitiveness, profitability and sustainability. “We like to think of ourselves as a catalyst or an She emphasizes the importance of the very positive working enabler to move the industry forward. And we recognize that in order relationship between the Council and the Alberta and federal to grow and be sustainable, the industry has to be profitable and that governments. “We work very well together and because of this profitable isn’t a b ad word,’’ says Marilyn Sharp, AFC Chair. relationship we are able to work very hard to move the industry The Council’s membership is remarkably diverse, representing Alberta’s entire agri-food sector. It includes people involved in Tfhoerw a ArdF.C” carries out various projects related to value chains, such production, processing, transportation, marketing, research, and as holding an international value chains conference, and human education (including educators and a student representative), as resources, such as its web-based portal (www.soiltosky.ca) on well as representatives from the provincial and federal agriculture opportunities in the agri-food industry. departments. Sharp says, “We have been really fortunate with our Council members that they look at the good of the whole industry, Environmental policy is another key project area. “We have to take not just their own sector.” cSahraer p .o f our land and animals so that they take care of us,” says The AFC manages a variety of term programs and projects. For instance, it is the Alberta delivery agent for Advancing Canadian The AFC has produced environmental policy discussion papers on Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program. A f ive-year federal land use and ecological stewardship and is now following up with program, ACAAF funds projects in three areas: supporting industry- a public opinion survey. Sharp explains, “As the discussion about led solutions to emerging opportunities; advancing research results the environment progresses, the producers need to be recognized for so the information gets to the people who can use it; a nd information their contribution [to environmental stewardship] and needs to be sharing. part of the discussion.” The survey will be one way to engage both producers and the general public in the discussion around agriculture The Council also delivers the Alberta portion of the federal Biofuels and the environment. Opportunities for Producers Initiative. This initiative provides funds for agricultural producers to develop business plans for Bob Anderson represents the AFC on AESA Council. Visit biofuel production projects with significant producer ownership. www.agfoodcouncil.com for more infonnation. “This program complements what the province is doing to assist Alberta Pulse Growers Commission Pulses - the dry edible seeds of peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, “Agronomically pulses really fit well in crop rotation because they fababeans, soybeans and lupins - h ave a l ot going for them. They are fix their own nitrogen. We’ve always known that, but we don’t know part of a h ealthy diet for humans and livestock, providing agronomic really how much they fix. In fact scientists can’t even agree on how benefits to growers, and generating environmental benefits for to measure how much nitrogen is fixed,” explains Grabo. “So one everyone . ^ «... of our calls for research proposals this year will be for a p roject to come up with a way to measure how much nitrogen pulses actually The goal of the Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) Commission is fix, to get the scientific community to agree that this is the standard “to drive this industry toward a more profitable, environmentally sustainable industry by linking science, technology and innovation measurement.” Other APG studies compare the nitrogen fixation abilities of different types of pulses. for the benefit of our growers and the wider community,” says Barry Grabo, the new APG president. Since pulses fix their own nitrogen, they don’t need any nitrogen fertilizer. Along with reducing fertilizer costs for growers, that He notes, “To get to where we want to be, we want to do the right saves on the energy used in producing nitrogen fertilizer. Other research and market development to promotbrthe benefits of our environmental benefits of pulses include improving soil health and crops. We think that the benefits are there but %ey haven’t really tilth, and helping to break weed, disease and insect pest cycles in been quantified at this point.” crop rotation. Consequently, much of the current research sponsored by this producer group centres on putting hard numbers on the^e benefits. “When we talk about growing healthy food from healthy soil, I think pulses have a great fit there,” says Grabo, who fanns in the For instance, APG’s market development research includes clmTcaf trials to assess the human health benefits of eating pulses and Strathmore area. He adds, “I think farmers have always been good feeding trials to evaluate pulses in animal rations. Some of our stewards of the environment - we’re trying to do the best job that we agronomic research involves pinning down the numbers for the can, and we’re certainly getting better at it as time goes on.” nitrogen benefits of pulses. Dave Hegland represents APG on AESA Council. For more information, visit www.pulse.ab.ca. 5 Developing Producer-Frien( UBnARyANDARC«VESCAN^ Practices to Conserve Rare Species Rangeland stewardship by generations of “There are many existing non-governmental, its potential ecological impacts - f rom positive ranchers has helped to sustain crucial habitat provincial and federal stewardship program to neutral to negative - on each species. This is for many endangered and threatened species. But delivery agencies as well as very effective accomplished by reviewing existing studies and the complex and diverse biology of the various expertise, and then breaking out local landscape producer groups,” says Williamson. “We want species makes it challenging to know how to to enhance the good work they’re already doing differences. Once the BMPs for the individual further enhance voluntary stewardship actions. by providing them with consistent, producer- species are established, the project will develop An ambitious four-year pilot project is taking up friendly information on BMPs to conserve protocols for dealing with situations where the that challenge. species at risk, that they can then deliver to needs of one species conflict with the needs of another. Called the Prairie Species-at-Risk Beneficial interested producers.” Management Practices (BMPs) project, it b egan Although other land uses also influence species “...the biology of a species can in 2004 and presently focuses on a p ilot group at risk, the project focuses on agriculture. That vat7 across eco-regions and of 14 species. The eventual goal is to expand is because farmers and ranchers assistance is habitats, and under various land the project’s scope to include the full suite of required to conserve Canada’s species at risk. species at risk that overlap the agricultural “Agricultural producers can actually steward management practices.” prairie landscape. species at risk on the lands they manage,” notes Sue Michalsky, who is the project manager. Collaboration with stakeholder organizations is The project aims “...to work with key “Other land users that impact species at risk can essential. Through workshops and one-on-one stakeholder organizations to build awareness consultations, the stakeholders involved will and understanding of what producers on the just minimize or mitigate negative impacts.” provide input into the development of BMPs, prairies can do to enhance the compatibility The project has two main objectives: technology transfer products, and the BMP oMfi c htheelier aWcitlilviitaimess o nw i tohf sEpnevciireos n maet n tr is kC,a”n a sdaay.s • to develop information on BMPs for prairie delivery process. For example, a workshop in species at risk specific to bioregions/habitat January 2007 gathered input from representatives She chairs the project’s multi-agency steering of about 30 stakeholder organizations, such as committee, which includes agricultural and types; and environmental agencies of the Government of • to provide technical support to extension and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta Beef Producers, Saskatchewan Association of Canada and the three Prairie Provinces. program delivery agencies on these BMPs. Service Wildlife Canadian - Canada Environment Scpoemcpiaetsi b laet rwiistk,h l aikger i tchuilst u brue rrowing owl, can be - becVT“ohdap.afgxoiaaor br pmrot. a ii lpid.aacctalt oi bt uaeieduvai ltnsnxsecestsdpsi ea rue,e t s r s.ltc ye.a i o tix,”al th ei n baTywss det-hptt i rhri e t veatcneu eh chaglnr etpn ayd dir t e cosa rt ejertvtghede eaeaic c nwrobts veoyan a Bar rm si rt MdtmercieashP. eeoache srmunm i bo sH d,apps r or er is eaws dk l i ape ba arbkrveuin busoeeicdplt sglo rr edr - a dm i arac Wnoaec mttgichngiwbs leociia n lerooa g bs idln ieu iioasnn monegc moilgviel sfqoe cuantouarg dnetntleeyydno jwpRCwEF“siSoraaToauonuaioshnrencurckjnit allatehses dudlecM m d adl t i o ..gi ct nrs r lnMtohgetieog uhtaakua nbe)ielpk .ei ns tie sctpk hn h iooiryef of pnom o lajpo ratdaleA(mmdhrcei3Evaeettrt0i ti’Sni s 6csipe tAoi- rosdrup o2 n,estajm9 etce,5 ec cPio-c” athrdro3 . nneo ni6 i dn stg 9cin S i rfa6 oton al;thuDm yh em eeuoe so ,sau c sw p dr ku rW v otoeshii rojmla o sgeiilv r gcaonicgetUrnrvaa,hoi nyo mnazwl lsia lai cvzotgl somaainerrnkisto.oedty tinu aa (tesopcd h^d,n.tyei t Green Matters, Issue No. 31, Spring 2007 To subscribe to Green Matters, call 780-422-4385. Green Matters is also available online at © A ESA Council, 2007 www1.agric.gov.ab.ca. Aussi disponible en frangais. Editorial Board: Bruce Beattie, Larry Kitz, Murray Klutz, Terry Rachuk Green Matters is the newsletter of the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Editor: Roger Bryan Council. AESA Council consists of representatives from Alberta's agriculture and food processing Contributors: Carolyn King, Bruce Beattie industry, environmental organizations, and municipal, provincial and federal governments. Design and Typesetting: P40 Communications AESA Council’s vision is that Alberta has a t hriving agriculture and food industry that is operating in an environmentally responsible manner. Its mission is to lead the agriculture and food industry AESA in addressing environmental challenges. And its g oal is to develop and deliver collaborative Canada /dibcri’a environmental stewardship initiatives that result in sustainable growth of Alberta’s farm, ranch and agri-food processing industry. Alberta EAgnrviicruolntmuernet a Pllryo g rSaums tainable The purpose of Green Matters is to provide a f orum for discussion of environmental issues in Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) - A F ederal-Provincial-Territorial Initiative Alberta’s agriculture and food processing industry. 6