Agriculture

In 2001, Manitoba’s agricultural land totaled over 7.6 million hectares (18.8 million acres) – 5 million hectares (12.4 million acres) were seeded to crops; and 2.6 million hectares (6.4 million acres) were pasture and haylands.

Farmers continue to seek diversified cropping and value-added alternatives to stabilize and increase incomes. While the traditional cereals of wheat, oats and barley continue to occupy the largest area of annual crops, other grain and oilseed crops are increasing, especially canola, rye, flaxseed, sunflowers and corn. Manitoba is also a major producer of specialty crops, such as buckwheat, canary seed, dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and forage seeds.

While in many jurisdictions the majority of emissions come from the use of fossil fuels for electricity, with Manitoba’s clean electrical system most of our emissions come from transportation and agriculture. Methane and nitrous oxide from cropping and livestock account for the majority of these emissions. A large portion of methane emissions in fact come from cows burping (otherwise known as enteric fermentation)!

Meeting the Challenges

The agriculture sector in Manitoba has been very proactive in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

• Manitoba producers have adopted technologies to reduce or eliminate tillage practices. Leaving more crop residue on the soil not only reduces wind and water erosion, but also allows soil carbon to accumulate. This sequestration of carbon protects against CO2 emissions. Reduced tillage systems also have the potential to cut on-farm fuel usage by 50 per cent. These and other production strategies, such as reduced summer fallow and conversion of croplands to annual forages, store and absorb greater amounts of carbon dioxide instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
• The University of Manitoba has taken a lead position nationally by recently appointing a Canada Research Chair in Applied Soil Ecology, with a specific focus on agri-environmental issues such as greenhouse gases.
• Organic production in 2005 grew to 75,535 acres, a 259 per cent increase since 2000. During the same period, the number of organic operations grew by 174 per cent to 278 producers. This growth occurred as increased organic demand from consumers and new markets became available.
• Manitoba is home to the first pilot project in Canada to determine the ecological benefits that can be derived from agricultural landscapes. The project will address the maintenance and enhancement of Manitoba’s natural capital with a view to improving water quality, increasing biodiversity, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Renewable energy production on-farm is increasing with the adoption of wind power, growing crops for biofuels, and anaerobic digestion.

Manitoba has introduced new support programs and regulations for sustainable on-farm practices aimed at protecting both water and our climate.

• The province is providing support for pilot projects in emerging anaerobic digestion technology used in manure management processes. In addition, enhanced tax credits for anaerobic digesters will help defray the costs of the technology. Anaerobic digestion is a process in which bacteria break down manure components to produce biogas and potentially reduce greenhouse gas production. More…
• Manitoba has introduced limits on fertilizer applications. Manitoba is establishing new regulations to designate nutrient quality management zones that will include new limitations on phosphorous and restrict nutrient loading from municipal waste, septic fields, livestock manure and farm fertilizers in sensitive areas.
• The new Livestock Manure and Mortalities Regulation places limitations on manure spreading and the location of spread fields.
• A soil testing awareness program has been launched to raise awareness of the importance of tracking nutrients in the soil to prevent impacts to crops and watercourses from fertilizer over-application.
• Since 2001, Manitoba has offered an environmentally-friendly sensitive area tax credit program to landowners – the Riparian Tax Credit. Focusing initially on riparian areas to maximize environmental benefit and the storing and absorbing of carbon. The program has been extended to encourage the protection of vegetative cover along rivers, streams, drainage ditches and lakeshores.

The Canada-Manitoba Environmental Farm Plan Program

The Canada-Manitoba Environmental Farm Plan is designed to encourage Manitoba agricultural producers to evaluate their operations, develop environmental action plans and adopt beneficial management practices that will contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment and enhance agricultural sustainability. The initiative is a major component of the Agricultural Policy Framework agreement, a federal-provincial-territorial agreement on agricultural and agri-food policy.

Covering New Ground

Covering New Ground (CNG) is an initiative of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. The program provides funding to Manitoba producer groups and provincial commodity organizations to carry out sustainable agriculture demonstration or technology transfer projects throughout the province. It is designed to promote new and improved agricultural practices that protect resources while maintaining competitiveness and diversity on the farm.

Environmental Enhancement Loans Program

Through the Environmental Enhancement Loans Program, Manitoba producers who are already taking advantage of federal and provincial programs that support environmentally sustainable farming practices are able to access additional financial help. These loans help finance the producer’s share of related project costs and provide an advance on government contributions.

Environmental enhancement projects encourage producers to improve the management of environmental issues in their operations. The initiative provides loan assistance for projects such as improved manure storage, handling and treatment, relocation of livestock and horticulture facilities, and other environmental initiatives involving substantial capital commitment.

Environmental Enhancement Loans are offered through the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC). The maximum loan is $150,000 with repayment terms of up to 15 years. MASC’s regular eligibility criteria, such as limitations on net worth, have been waived for this loan program. As a result, financing at reasonable fixed interest rates is now available to all Manitoba producers planning to participate in environmental incentive programs.

Applications for the Environmental Enhancement Loan program are available from all MASC lending representatives. A list of offices is available online at www.masc.mb.ca or by calling 204‑726‑6850 in Brandon.

Agriculture Research

Manitoba also supports research and commercial development of consumer and industrial products that are based on agriculture’s renewable resources, from fuels and fibres to medicines and materials. For example, we are supporting the early stages of some innovative bio-product developments:

• Parkland Bio-Fibre in Dauphin is investigating the possibility of building a plant to process industrial hemp for insulation, non-woven matting and animal bedding products.
• Prairie Pulp and Paper is identifying opportunities for a tree-free pulp and paper mill using waste agricultural fibres.
• Composite materials are made by embedding strands of material such as glass fibres or carbon threads in a plastic material to create extremely strong, lightweight products. Fiberglass is one of the best-know examples. The Composites Innovation Centre (CIC) in Winnipeg is working closely with industrial partners to develop biocomposites that are manufactured from natural fibres such as flax or hemp. By taking advantage of Manitoba’s renewable agricultural resources, the initiative will provide jobs and expand the rural economy. Used in a wide range of applications, including aerospace and transportation manufacturing, composites replace bulky materials such as metals to save weight and energy.
  

Please visit Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives for more information.

Additional Resources

Manitoba Energy Development Initiative
Manitoba Green and Growing

back to top