Grainswest - Fall 2022

Fall 2022 grainswest.com 31 “Most of our soils are lighter soils, so when it dries on top and we don’t get snow cover, we can get fairly significant wind erosion” —John Kolk “If you’re considering amending an eroded soil to help restore productivity, what we’re finding is that the best and most consistent amendments are manure, followed by topsoil replacement, followed by the fertilizer,” said Geddes. “Over time, the impact of those amendments does appear to decline somewhat, and more so in the initial years,” he added. “But, to this day, we can still see the effects of those different amendments on yields overall.” FARMERS DISH THE DIRT ON SOIL PRACTICES John Kolk farms 3,000 acres of irrigated land in the Palliser Triangle in southern Alberta, a region famous for low humidity, low moisture and wind. “Most of our soils are lighter soils, so when it dries on top and we don’t get snow cover, we can get fairly significant wind erosion,” he said. Kolk grows seed canola, dry beans, wheat, barley, flax and peas, sowing with a direct seeder. When he purchased the farm in 2010, he put an erosion reduction action plan in place. Working with Farming Smarter, he has minimized tillage, using it only when incorporating manure, which he applies, in part, to improve aggregate stability. He also experiments with cover crops. Weed control becomes a greater challenge when adopting these methods, he said. “You win on one side and you lose on the other. You need to put the whole package together. That takes experimentation, willingness to take risks and hopefully a little bit of help from society,” he added. “If we can keep our soils healthier and reduce dust in the air, those are benefits to society as well.” Brian Slenders works hard to beat soil erosion because he and his brother irrigate their 1,600-acre Scandia property, and in heavy wind events, soil moves. During the drought of 2000-01, Slenders found a fence line and drainage ditch pipeline in his region both buried under almost a metre of topsoil. Though his own land was less affected, he and his brother have since worked to keep precious topsoil in place. Slenders isn’t alone. In recent years, southern Alberta farmers, particularly those under irrigation, have seen a huge increase in major wind events. In the County of Newell where the brothers’ farm is located, erosion has raised so much alarm that farmers have formed a wind erosion committee. Todd Green, director of agricultural services for the County, heads the committee, and Slenders is a member. The group aims to help landowners find reasonable solutions to minimize soil erosion. “We know it’s hard to stop soil erosion from occurring when it is going on,” said Green. “But after that wind event is done, there are things that can be put in place to help minimize it going forward.” If no action is taken, the committee issues a soil conservation notice. So far, the County has issued just two notices. In both cases, compliance wasn’t a problem. “Enforcement is by far the worst part of our job,” said Green. For the most part, emphasized Slenders, farmers in the region take soil erosion seriously. If you’re not prepared, there is no stopping it once it’s underway, he advised. “You’ve got to get ahead of the game.” Photo:CowsandFish