Regenerative Agriculture Practices on the Prairies

There are many definitions of regenerative agriculture and practices on operations vary but in general, these guiding principles are followed:

• Minimize soil disturbance;
• Maximize crop diversity
• Maintain soil cover;
• Maintain living roots year-round where possible;
• Integrate livestock; and
• Understand the needs of your operation.

Minimizing soil disturbance

In the 1970s, Canadian agriculture began to see increased interest in protecting soil resources, including the adoption of practices such as no-till to minimize soil disturbance. Since then, conservation tillage and zero tillage have spread throughout western Canada. According to the 2016 census, 93 per cent of cropland acres in Saskatchewan are under conservation tillage. While zero-till is the most prominent practice used on 74.4 per cent of all acres, minimal till also has proven to be a beneficial practice in our semi-arid cropping conditions. By keeping crop residue on the soil surface producers see benefits such as soil moisture retention, protection from erosion and soil temperature moderation. Leaving stubble from crops standing over the winter increases soil moisture by trapping snow.

Though there are many important considerations when looking at converting to a zero-till system, results may vary between operations.

After multiple decades of zero-till in Saskatchewan, there is a noticeable improvement in soil organic matter, ultimately increasing water infiltration, improving water retention, nutrient cycling and beneficial microbial populations.

Maximizing crop diversity

Crop rotations reduce the impact of production challenges such as disease residue build up on the soil surface and in the soil, insect pests and weeds. A strong crop rotation contributes to increased resiliency. For example, using residual soil moisture not used by the previous year’s crop and using nutrients left by the crop in the previous year are benefits of a diverse crop rotation. While an integral part of regenerative agriculture, using diverse crop rotations has become a good practice recommended for any operation.

Perennial and annual forage crops can help manage challenges farmers face with annual grain crops. As crop disease-causing pathogens increase, agronomists and producers are looking to extend rotations eight to 10 years (depending on on-farm factors such as Aphanomyces). Research in Western Canada has linked higher soil compaction to more plant stress when compared to non-compacted soil. Compaction can also increase the risk and severity of root rot, including Aphanomyces. Therefore, when designing crop rotations, it is important to include a variety of root systems which help prevent soil compaction. When integrating perennial and annual forages, or any new crop, into rotations it is important to consider available moisture, rooting depth, field restrictions including potential herbicide residues, insects, diseases and weeds, field output and future field options.

Varying between crops with differing root depths can also improve soil water use. A study at Swift Current found that growing deeper-rooted crops, such as canola and wheat, following shallow-rooted crops, such as pulses, resulted in increased overall soil water use efficiency and soil water storage. Being that water is a primary limiting factor in Saskatchewan agriculture, efficient use of the moisture resources available aids in building resiliency into the industry.

Maintaining soil cover and living roots when possible

Using winter annuals and biennial species in rotations can improve farm resiliency for both livestock and annual crop producers. Crops grown for ground cover and to increase organic matter have been part of organic cropping systems, but they can have benefits in all production systems. Plants with alternative lifecycles keep growing roots in the ground longer, providing environmental benefits such as increased water infiltration, strengthening of soil structure and reduced erosion potential.

When considering a crop that overwinters, there are three plant lifecycles to be aware of: winter annual, biennial and perennial. Broadleaf winter annuals are plants that germinate in the fall and overwinter as rosettes (a circular arrangement of leaves). Come spring, the rosette will produce a seed and die in the summer. Cereal winter annual plants germinate in the fall, grow a few leaves, overwinter as seedling and mature in the summer. Biennials are plants that take two years to complete their lifecycle. In the first season, the seed will germinate in the spring and the plant will remain in vegetative growth for the summer. After overwintering, the plant will produce a stalk, create a seed and die in the fall. Perennial plants are typically forage plants (bromes, alfalfa, wheatgrasses) and these plants persist for more than three years.

Annual crop producers need to consider that the seeding date for overwintering plants may overlap with harvest and there can be logistical concerns some years that prevent fall seeding. One way to harvest a crop and seed in the fall is to select fields that have earlier maturing crops like pea or lentil.

Livestock producers can fall and spring graze winter annuals and biennials with the added potential of baling or ensiling the regrowth. Winter hardiness is a big factor when considering winter grazing annuals that overwinter. Research shows that fall rye has the greatest winter hardiness, followed by winter wheat and winter triticale. By growing winter annuals, along with biennial plants for expanding grazing options, livestock producers may be able to reduce stress related to feed shortages.

Integrating livestock

Integrating livestock into existing operations and farm plans is another guiding principle of regenerative agriculture. Though there are many operations with both cattle and annual crop production, shortages can encourage partnerships among producers who exclusively grow annual crops or raise livestock. Livestock can terminate crops grown for ground cover and soil improvement, graze unharvested annual crops or help with harvest residue management.

A common scenario for livestock integration on annually cropped acres is feeding livestock by bale grazing, swath grazing and straw-chaff grazing. When considering the incorporation of livestock or partnering with your neighbour for grazing purposes, there are a few logistical and environmental considerations to be made. First and foremost, water availability is key to having livestock on the landscape. Is there water available on this land and if so, what is the quality? What is the nutritional value of the feed you are considering? Feed and water testing are important factors when planning for successful livestock production and herd health.

Studies show lower cost of production when wintering cattle in-field through reduced yardage and manure handling costs. Another benefit is increased nutrient retention and recycling when manure was applied directly to the field. However, while direct application of the manure reduces costs, it can also increase the likelihood of runoff and contamination. Proximity to ground water and surface water must be considered. A study near Lanigan noted that due to increased phosphorus and nitrogen run off from overwintering sites, they should be located away from sensitive surface waters to protect them from increased nutrient loading. Another study compared bale grazing to straw-chaff grazing and found that bale grazing had greater potential for nutrient leaching through lighter soils when compared to straw-chaff grazing due to the higher concentration of feed at bale sites and poorer distribution of manure throughout the field. In a comparison study of bale grazing, swath grazing and straw-chaff grazing, the latter had the most uniform distribution of nutrients and biomass.

Cycling of nutrients is one of the greatest benefits of incorporating livestock into cropping systems. Beef cattle excrete approximately 90 per cent of the nitrogen they uptake through their feed, and 50 per cent of that is excreted in a form that is readily available to plants. Direct deposition of nitrogen onto the landscape reduces the costs of corral cleaning and trucking, which leaves the producer with potential for a greater economic return. There are opportunities for annual crop farmers to work with other producers to increase economic and environmental sustainability on-farm by integrating livestock onto the landscape and into crop production systems.

The guiding principles of regenerative agriculture can be used to maintain and improve sustainability on an operation. A good first step is determining where you are and where you want to get to. Look at current management practices and recognize successes and where opportunities and changes can be made. Keep in mind that improvements or changes resulting from new practices can take numerous growing seasons.