Sustainability index unveiled for agriculture

May 26, 2023

A coalition of 129 organizations, including agri-food companies, non-governmental organizations, commodity groups and government departments are getting close to defining what is sustainable in Canadian agriculture.

In May, the group unveiled a sustainability index for the country’s agriculture and food sector. The index is a pilot, which will likely evolve into something more permanent.

“The initiative addresses one of the most pressing issues facing humanity: producing food more sustainably — and showing it,” says a news release for the National Index on Agri-Food Performance.

“The work also positions Canada as among the very few nations globally that have developed such a comprehensive approach encompassing an entire economic sector.”

David McInnes has led the effort to create the index since 2020.

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.