Producers across the province are putting OFCAF funding to work, and their experiences highlight how practical changes can lead to real improvements in both productivity and sustainability.
In Cardston, one producer shared the benefits of scaling up precision agriculture practices. “At the completion of our project, we are pleased with our decision to apply the technology of soil sampling and variable rate prescription mapping to more acres on our farm. It allows us to apply exactly the right amount of nitrogen and other nutrients that our crops need, right where they need it, to maximize our yields. The extra expense of taking these steps saves us from overapplying fertilizer, which can have negative effects on the plants just as much as not applying enough."
"We are glad to be able to use funding opportunities such as this to help move our farm forward.”
A Birch Hills operation reflected on the long-term value of improved grazing management. “This project has already helped us manage the land more effectively and reduce our impact on the environment. We have always worked to implement rotational grazing and other practices, but our operation has not always been able to fund the improvements needed. So we are very thankful for how this project will benefit the environment and our practices for years to come. The dugouts have received and will continue to receive no animal impact, while the pastures will receive the proper animal impact for the proper duration. Also, the pasture that was not producing properly can now be productive with more seed and proper rotational practices. This will greatly enhance the health of our pastures, water sources—especially in these drought years—and our operation.”
In Provost, a producer noted the impact of using manure as a soil amendment. “Manure was spread and greatly increased the organic matter and available nitrogen for the growing season. It also allowed more reserve nitrogen for next year when we soil sample this fall.”
And in Camrose, small changes in fertilizer practices are showing promise. “With the costs of nitrogen increasing, we were looking for options to maximize our fertilizer. The addition of a nitrogen stabilizer was easy to implement within our program, as it was just the addition of a jug with every fill of the liquid cart. I believe we did see results from the use of this product, but due to drought conditions, it may not have been as notable as in other years. In my opinion, these types of products are well worth the expense in order to open the door for better fertilizer utilization, which in turn should result in a larger reward during harvest.”
These stories show how OFCAF is driving real, on-the-ground change, helping Alberta producers improve productivity while building more resilient, sustainable farms.
Thinking about making changes to your operation? OFCAF funding can help you implement practical improvements that make a real difference.