soil health Archives - Country Guide

Senator Rob Black, seen here at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Sept. 11, 2024, championed Bill S-230. Photo: Diana Martin

Federal government commits to national soil strategy as Black’s soil protection bill passes Senate

By Diana Martin March 26, 2026

Reading Time: 3 minutes Bill S-230, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act, would develop a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement based on recommendations from Black’s 2024 Senate soil health report: “Critical Ground”. It is expected to pass its third reading in the Senate on March 26.

News, Reuters

Ukraine’s farms once fed billions but now its soil is starving

By The Conversation via Reuters Connect December 29, 2025

Reading Time: 4 minutes Ukraine’s soil may no longer be able to sustain the country’s role as one of the major food producers without urgent action. And this could have consequences that stretch far beyond its borders.

Senator Rob Black speaks at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September of 2024. Photo: Diana Martin

News

Black tables soil health protection bill in Senate

Legislation would recognize soil as a strategic national asset

By Jonah Grignon June 13, 2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute Senator Rob Black sponsored Bill S-230, An Act Respecting the Development of a National Strategy for Soil Health Protection, Conservation and Enhancement. If passed, it would mandate the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and other relevant ministers, to develop a national soil health strategy.

Crops

Saskatchewan Crop Report: Seeding ahead of average pace

18 per cent of Saskatchewan crop planted

By Adam Peleshaty May 8, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes Saskatchewan farmers have already seeded 18 per cent of the province's projected crop as of May 5, well ahead of historical averages due to dry weather.

General

Cropland threatened by toxic metals: study

Up to 17 per cent of agricultural land at risk

By Phil Franz-Warkentin April 21, 2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute Up to 17 per cent of cropland around the globe is contaminated by toxic metals, threatening agriculture and human health in the affected areas, according to new research published in the journal Science.

The PFRA operated on the Prairies from 1935 to 2009 and was instrumental in helping farmers address soil erosion and drought they experienced during the 1930s. Photo: File

News

Former Prairie agricultural agency gains historic designation

By Karen Briere March 7, 2025

Reading Time: < 1 minute Parks Canada has designated the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration an event of national historic significance.

Crops

Soil carbon measurement and verification system launched

CANZA project to give producers quick, cost-effective tool to help measure, manage and monetize soil carbon

By Jonah Grignon February 11, 2025

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) is launching a measurement verification reporting (MRV) system for reporting soil carbon.

Bryan Prystupa speaking about AgExpert Sustainability at Manitoba AgDays on Wednesday, January 22. PHOTO: Don Norman

Machinery, News

New tool for carbon footprint tracking unveiled at Manitoba AgDays

FCC says the tool is a ‘non-judgemental’ way of getting a snap shot of soil carbon including sequestration

By Don Norman January 24, 2025

Reading Time: 2 minutes Soil carbon is an imporant thing to track, both emissions and sequestration. Bryan Prystupa, of Farm Credit Canada, spoke about a new tool that aims to give farmers insight into carbon on their farms.

Crops, News, Reuters

COMMENT: Fertile land for growing vegetables is at risk — but a scientific discovery could turn the tide

By The Conversation via Reuters Connect January 14, 2025

Reading Time: 4 minutes Research work at Quebec's Laval University's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, carried out in partnership with 14 vegetable farms, offers hope for ensuring the sustainability of their soils.

Rick Bieber presents at the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing.

Crops, Livestock

South Dakota farmer focuses on soil biology

Retired farmer Rick Bieber spoke at the Western Canada Conference on Grazing and Soil Health

By Melissa Jeffers-Bezan December 13, 2024

Reading Time: 2 minutes Rick Bieber, a farmer from South Dakota, spoke at Western Canada Conference on Soil Health about the many practices he has implemented to improve his soil on his operation.

Daily Network News

New strategies needed for Canadian agriculture to stand out in global trade

Feed Grains Weekly: Cash prices for wheat, barley largely flat

The Canadian GMO mustard wars: Dijon vs canola

Tag Archives soil health