GrainsWest Tech 2020

Tech 2020 grainswest.com 49 BY JACK GATES STUART SMYTH Having grown up on a family farm and working in everything from sales to con- struction, Stuart Smyth returned to uni- versity in his mid-30s and has not looked back. His goal over the next five years is to conduct about 1,000 surveys across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba con- cerning the impact of Prairie agricultural practices on environmental sustainability. As associate professor in the De- partment of Agricultural and Resource as it reaches physiological maturity, which helps mitigate risk and expand the harvest season. As part of his new role, Singh is also intent on furthering the college’s Advanced Postharvest Innovation Centre. He is working with local businesses, farmers and industries to identify research projects and develop partnerships, and is seeking various federal and provincial grants to make the facility a reality. His goals are ambitious, but as he sees it, the stakes make it worth the effort. “Canada is among the world’s top five grain producing and exporting countries,” said Singh. “Our grain and grain product exports are valued at over $28.3 billion per year, which demonstrates the enormous socio-economic contribution of the grain industry to the country.” Economics at the University of Saskatch- ewan, Smyth first assumed the title of industry-funded agri-food innovation and sustainability enhancement chair in 2014. When the position’s five-year term ended in 2019, it was expanded, renewed and rebranded to focus on agri-food and sustainability for the following five years. The Alberta Wheat Commission is among the funders of the renewed position. “One thing farmers and industry know, but few others realize, is how sustainable agricultural practices have become over the last 25 years,” said Smyth. “With the com- mercialization of herb-tolerant crops—led by canola in Saskatchewan—we have seen 95 per cent of summer fallow acres gone.” While some of that decrease is thanks to enhanced weed control, this is comple- mented by improved equipment technol- ogy that allows farmers to use minimal or zero-tillage and still attain proper seeding distribution. “I’m trying to gather data on changes in crop rotation practices and do a better job of telling the sustainability story by publishing research and quantifying the improvements,” said Smyth. One of the most notable of these changes involves the offset in greenhouse gas emissions and the significant increase in carbon sequestration, which together are a major part of Prairie agriculture’s contribution to Canada’s climate mitigation plans. “This is a story that is not well under- stood in Ottawa as few politicians have an agriculture background. I have learned that politicians respond to evidence, so commodity groups need that evidence to say, ‘this is what we have accomplished, and here is the proof.’ Having those fig- ures will go a long way to forging a better policy environment for our industry.” Smyth’s passion for gathering proof extends to his longstanding battle with Twitter trolls. “People want to support sustainability in agriculture, but they lack the knowledge to confidently buy sustainable products, so when I see peo- ple lying about agriculture online, I call them on it.” He refutes propaganda es- poused by anti-ag voices. Unaccustomed to being challenged, many lash out, but he takes it all in stride. “If you want to call me names and swear at me, that’s fine, but it won’t stop me from sharing the facts and standing up for farmers when it’s warranted.” Photo:Courtesyof theUniversityofSaskatchewan Photo:CourtesyofLethbridgeCollege