There is a need to get the true story of agriculture to consumers.
That was the message those attending the 40th edition of the Rotary Club of Yorkton Farmer Appreciation banquet held at the Painted Hand Casino Saturday.
Pat Beaujot, a founder with Seed Hawk a zero-till equipment manufacturer in Langbank, SK. said conservation tillage and seeding are an example of how good a job Western Canadian farmers are doing of caring for the land. He said it took only 15-years for farmers here to evolve away from a summer fallow system which was prone to water and wind erosion to minimum and zero-till systems which leave more stubble in place to prevent erosion.
“In 15-years we really changed the landscape,” he said, adding the change took courage. “For farmers to really change farming practice, there was a lot of risk involved. A lot of trial and error.”
But the change occurred to protect the land and increase efficiency to produce more grain for a growing population.
“I think we’re the most efficient farmers in the world,” said Beaujot. “But we also do it in a way that conserves the soil.”
Beaujot said soil conservation is essential. He noted it is said to take 10,000-years to create an inch of topsoil, so what exists must be protected.
And that is not happening all over the world. Beaujot noted the United Nations has come out with a statement that 20 per cent of the world’s dry land has degraded to the point it is no longer producing.
But Beaujot said instead of being praised for preserving soils, people such as David Suzuki criticize farming for its use of fertilizers and chemicals. He said to feed seven billion people those inputs are needed.
Beaujot there is “lack of understanding of agriculture by the public,” as a result of misinformation coming from sources such as Suzuki.
So the agriculture sector has to do a better job of telling the facts.
“We’ve got to get organized,” said Beaujot.
And that is where the recently formed Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan hopes to play a major role, said group representative Adele Buettner.
Buettner said the new organization is dedicated to engaging communities and consumers on the topic of agriculture “on where food comes from.”
The interest is there, she said.
“Canadians interest in their food and food production is high and growing,” offered Buettner, adding one can see that interest all around us. She pointed to cable television where channels are dedicated to food, and chefs have become celebrities.
At the same time “Canadians confidence in the Canadian food system is being questioned,” said Buettner.
In part that comes from a lack of conduction to the farm.
“Ninety-three per cent of Canadians say they know very little, or nothing about farming,” said Buettner. “… Less than two per cent of Canadians have a direct tie to agriculture.”
But farming remains important.
“Agriculture is big business in this province,” said Buettner, pointed to $11.7 billion in export sales in 2013 and $13.9 in 2014, representing about one-third of Saskatchewan’s exports.
And so helping consumers be better informed on the agriculture sector, and the safety of food is important, so the new group is doing mail outs, captive audience advertising , chef and media tours and food fairs, all geared toward getting the facts out, said Buettner.
