Key Takeaways:
- Canadian farmers are using climate adaptation strategies to produce record-breaking crops despite hotter and drier conditions.
- Investments in technologies such as minimum and zero-till farming, tile drainage, and slow-release fertilizer pellets are helping farmers protect soil and increase yields.
- The use of genetically superior crops, precision agriculture, and automation are also contributing to the success of Canadian farmers.
- Despite the high cost of these technologies, they are saving farmers money in the long run by reducing waste and increasing efficiency.
- Rural broadband access is a major obstacle to the adoption of these technologies, particularly for older farmers and those in remote areas.
Introduction to Climate Adaptation in Canadian Farming
The Canadian farming industry has been facing significant challenges due to climate change, with hotter and drier conditions affecting crop yields. However, despite these challenges, many farmers in western Canada have been producing record-breaking crops, thanks to the adoption of climate adaptation strategies. These strategies include the use of minimum and zero-till farming, tile drainage, and slow-release fertilizer pellets, which help protect soil and increase yields. Simon Ellis, a fourth-generation farmer in Wawanesa, Manitoba, credits these investments for his successful harvest, saying "We are constantly making little tweaks, that’s how we’re going to be able to keep fighting the changing climate."
Record Harvests Despite Drought
The Canadian government has announced record harvests of spring wheat and canola for 2025, with yields far exceeding what farmers in the region could have expected in better conditions years ago. This is not just a result of good luck, but rather the result of widespread adoption of climate adaptation strategies. According to Canadian government data, spring wheat yields have increased by 77% over the past 30 years, while canola yields have nearly doubled. These gains are not only benefiting Canadian farmers but also having a major impact on the global food supply, as most of the grains produced in Canada are shipped and consumed abroad.
A Notoriously Difficult Region
Western Canada has always been a challenging region to farm, with limited rainfall and a short growing season. Climate change has made it even harder, with more frequent and severe weather events such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts. However, Canadian farmers have been able to adapt to these conditions by adopting new technologies and strategies. For example, the use of tile drainage has helped to prevent flooding, while minimum and zero-till farming has helped to protect soil and reduce erosion.
Incremental Gains, Not Miracles
The gains made by Canadian farmers are not the result of a single, dramatic factor, but rather the result of steady, incremental progress with farming methods and inputs. Many seeds now come stacked with insect, disease, and weed resistance, thanks to conventional breeding as well as genetic modification. Fertilizer application is designed to minimize disturbance to the soil surface, while fungicides, weedkillers, and nutrients allow crops to outcompete their natural enemies. Automation, such as self-guiding tractors, has also played a key role in increasing efficiency and reducing waste.
One Family’s Adaptation Evolution
The Mowbray family has been farming in western Canada for decades and has been at the forefront of adopting new technologies and strategies. They started with tile drainage and have since expanded to minimum and zero-till farming, as well as the use of genetically superior crops. Scott Mowbray, 46, says that these innovations have allowed them to "pull off yields twice what we used to with half as much rain," producing "incredible" volumes of spring wheat, peas, and rye.
Technology’s Steep Price Tag
While the adoption of new technologies and strategies has been key to the success of Canadian farmers, it has also come at a significant cost. A smart combine can cost upwards of C$1 million, while a high-speed-data-enabled tractor and seeding drill can cost around C$2 million. However, these investments are saving farmers money in the long run by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Kip Eideberg, senior vice president of government and industry relations for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, says that precision systems have saved Canadian farmers 9% in herbicide and pesticides, 6% in fuel, and 4% in water use.
Seed Science – The Invisible Factor
Another important factor in the success of Canadian farmers has been the development of genetically superior crops that are hardier, drought-tolerant, and produce bigger yields. Rick Mitzel, CEO of Mustard 21, says that they are "just starting down that path" and are developing drought-tolerant plants as an alternative to canola. The farmer-controlled South East Research Farm in Redvers, Saskatchewan has also been testing crops such as camelina, which could offer farmers better yields and more resilience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Canadian farmers have been able to produce record-breaking crops despite hotter and drier conditions, thanks to the adoption of climate adaptation strategies. These strategies include the use of minimum and zero-till farming, tile drainage, and slow-release fertilizer pellets, as well as the use of genetically superior crops and precision agriculture. While the cost of these technologies is significant, they are saving farmers money in the long run by reducing waste and increasing efficiency. As the global food supply continues to face challenges due to climate change, the success of Canadian farmers offers a model for other countries to follow.
