Grainswest Tech 2021

Tech 2021 Grains West 36 FEATURE and the costs associated with them, particularly with the application of the carbon tax. Shannon Sereda, senior manager, government relations and policy, Alberta Wheat Commission and Alberta Barley, said by 2022, the average grain farm may pay 1.5 times more in carbon tax than it pays for fuel to run drying operations. And by 2030, this could hit five to six times. “This calls for an adjustment,” she said. “The tax can’t exceed the fuel cost itself without providing a rebate system to farmers such as consumers receive.” As it stands, she added, the carbon tax undermines the fact agricultural soils in Western Canada sequester more carbon than they emit, due to operational improvements farmers have made over decades. “Funds from the carbon tax—through Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction [TIER] Regulation in Alberta—should be returned to farmers to help with continued adoption of practices that make good economic sense and provide positive environmental outcomes.” REGENERATIVE PRACTICES Josh Beck is a “hard numbers guy.” He farms grain and cattle near Hilda. While he is worried about the unavoidable financial impact of the carbon tax, he has worked to lower his costs and carbon footprint. This was precisely the intention of the carbon tax: push fossil fuel intensive businesses to adopt climate-friendly practices that lower Canada’s overall CO2 emissions. Beck has even adopted regenerative practices to build soil health and reduce reliance on inputs, seeding clover into wheat to increase nitrogen and soil cover. He also grazes cattle on his cover crops, which spreads manure and reduces diesel consumption. With one eye on the growing carbon economy, he hopes to profit eventually. “Carbon’s good for the soil,” he said. “Even if I’ve only been down this path for two to three years, I’m ahead of the guy who’s beside me who’s not even thinking about it.” Some believe "carbon farming" may potentially benefit farmers who participate, but many questions surround the quantification and verification process.