Challenges and Progress in Canadian Agriculture
Canadian farmers are under pressure to produce more food.
They must do this while caring for the livestock, land and water on their farms.
Some areas in which farmers face challenges include crop protection, soil conservation, labour, climate change and health.
Crop Protection
To maximize the yield of field crops, crop farmers apply manure and/or fertilizer and crop protection products.
These products include herbicides , pesticides and fungicides .
Farmers work to prevent runoff from fields and other potential negative environmental effects of these products.
Guidelines developed by industry and government specify the appropriate rates and conditions of their use.
Farmers also use new, “greener” and more targeted products as they become available.
Soil Conservation
Crop farmers use soil conservation methods to protect their lands.
One example is contour ploughing.