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Issue 3 1
MATTERSpring 2S007
A n ewsletter from the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Council
Grass, Grazing & G rassroots
From AESA Council s P ast Chair
By Bruce Beattie, Alberta Milk
A sho rt 200 years ago, it is estimated that R
i
e
over 30 million buffalo roamed the prairies, me
r
sustained by a sea of native grass within a n atural sm
a
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ecosystem. Alberta’s cattle have moved into MR
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the buffalo’s ecological niche, and by adopting CC
pgrraozdiuncge r ss y shtaevmes b beaesne d a b luep o nto tphroosfei t abbalsyi c m atennaegtse, Sandi
their cattle, maintaining forage productivity while
also sustaining the many ecological functions
that healthy grasslands provide.
Like an iceberg, most of the grass plant is
with both tame and native pastures can be
below ground level. This provides its natural grazing. The cattle are the “solar-powered
ability to regenerate after grazing, to build and managed in a complementary way, providing harvesters,’’ turning that fibrous plant material,
hold the soil against the ever-present wind, flexible systems that make the most of the good into high quality protein, through the miracle of
millions of rumen bacteria.
and to survive prairie fires. Today, sustainably qualities of each.
managed grazing lands remain the foundation This flexibility can allow the producer to extend Sustainable grazing management is truly a
for crucial environmental benefits like protecting
“grassroots’’ movement, in which people at the
the grazing season. Given Canada’s climate
water quality, conserving soil, and maintaining and growing global competition, extending local level are the energy source for growth
wildlife habitat.
the grazing season makes a lot of sense. It and progress. As I r ead through the biographies
At the same time these lands provide valuable makes economic sense because dormant season of speakers from the Western Canadian
economic benefits to cattle producers. Healthy grazing, swath grazing and bale grazing are Grazing Conference held in Edmonton this
rangeland is able to tolerate and recover from less expensive than traditional winter-feeding past December, I felt humbled by the wealth
drought and has more stable forage production; systems. It makes environmental sense because of knowledge and abilities of the individuals
allowing the producer to maintain a stable herd a well-managed grazing system distributes who spoke of their experiences in grazing and
manure nutrients across the pastures. And it livestock management.
size and a stable cash flow. Grazing systems
makes production sense because it’s healthier This edition of Green Matters looks at grass
for cattle to be out on the land.
WHAT’S INSIDE and the grassroots. It explores examples of
These days, grass is making sense in some the energy - and synergy - of increasing our
other ways, too. A niche market is growing knowledge by sharing experiences and learning
|7« SPusatasintabuler eGrsaz in g . with Tame & N ative among consumers who prefer grass-fed beef about sustainable grazing management. This
And science shows that grazing is an effective issue talks about how producers, extension
• Building Grazing Extension Capacity way to enhance the levels of conjugated linoleic agents and researchers are bringing together all
• A G razing School ‘Marathon’ acid (CLA) in beef CLA is a fatty acid which they have learned to enhance our understanding
• Graziers Learning from Graziers naturally occurs in beef and which has many of sustaining our grazing landscapes for
• Council Profiles: Agriculture and Food health benefits for humans, including the ability generations to come.
Council; Alberta Pulse Growers to fight cancer.
• Ag Practices to Conserve Rare Species Grass roots are solar batteries powering grass
plants to grow each spring and re-grow after
1
Sustainable Grazing Management
for Multiple Benefits
Managing pastures well is a real win-win the native pastures time to get a g ood start. He spend a f air bit of time monitoring what is g oing
situation both for the fanner and for the on and thinking things over on how to get the
says, “Several of the tame species work quite
environment,” says Albert Kuipers, the Forage well for earlier spring grazing.”
Technician/Manager for the Grey Wooded Forage
Association. He explains that sustainable grazing Kuipers notes, “Another practice is putting bKeusitp e jrosb dnootnees. ” that well managed pastures offer
animals on tame pastures pretty much throughout important environmental benefits. For instance,
management improves forage productivity,
the growing season and saving the native pastures a good cover of forage plants holds moisture,
lowers input costs, increases net returns and
for winter grazing. Improvements are being topsoil and nutrients better than an overgrazed
reduces environmental impacts.
observed in their native pasture health from pasture. On overgrazed land, rainfall and
snowmelt tends to run off, rather than soaking
“Whether you’re managing tame or native doing that.” Some native plants are especially
forage species, the basic principles are exactly good at retaining their nutrients over the winter, into the soil. This runoff can carry nutrients and
the same. After the plants have been grazed, which is another reason why some ranchers use soil into nearby creeks and ponds, decreasing
they need to have the appropriate rest to grow native pastures for winter season grazing. In the health of both the land and water. Healthy
into maturity before they are grazed again. addition, winter grazing costs much less than a pastureland also provides for wildlife habitat
The whole idea is to prevent the animals from traditional winter-feeding system. (see Developing Producer-Friendly Practices to
grazing the same plant again, a s econd time, just Conserve Rare Species).
“By managing the pasture well,
when the plant is starting to grow back,” notes
Kuipers. Providing appropriate rest periods you can slowly increase the He says, “Most farmers have the environment
as a p riority. They are living in the environment
ensures healthy, productive plants that provide
and they can see what is g oing on when things
good grazing. carrying capacity.”
aren’t working well. I’ve seen over the last few
Effective rest periods can be best accomplished “Whether you’re talking about summer or winter years that many farmers are working at reducing
through a rotational grazing system, where
grazing, basically you’re managing for healthier their footprint on the environment.”
cattle graze a series of small pastures, rather grass and a healthier forage stand. Regardless
than a continuous grazing system, where cattle of whether they are tame or native, healthier
graze a single large pasture all season long.
stands tend to produce more forage. I’ve seen
quite often where, in a continuously grazed For more grazing
Kuipers says, “[In rotational grazing] basically,
you give the cattle just enough area to graze it pasture, some of the best species tend to be lost
management
to the point where you want it g razed to, and [because the cattle overgraze]. And the species
information...
then you move them along [to the next piece that are left, the ones that can survive under
continuous grazing, tend to miniaturize. So over
of pasture].”
time the carrying capacity of the pasture slowly Some great options for producers
A r ancher who has a combination of tame and
who want to learn more about grazing
decreases. By turning around and managing
native pastures can set up a g razing system that
the pasture well, you can slowly increase its management are:
makes the most of both types. Kuipers notes
that the key difference between native and tame carrying capacity,” explains Kuipers. • grazing schools (see Grazing School
pasture species is that most native species tend He adds, “With sustainable grazing, one of the ‘Marathon’ in the Milk River Basin),
to grow much more slowly. To accommodate advantages is increased net returns because including some that are specifically for
women
this difference, the rancher could put the cattle you are getting more forage with less physical
on the tame pastures in early spring, allowing inputs. However, it does require the manager to
• Alberta Public Lands agrologists,
PFRA staff, and municipal or producer
group rural extension staff
• grazing mentors and grazing clubs
(see Graziers Helping Graziers)
Alberta Agriculture’s Call Centre (toll-
free in Alberta at 310-FARM)
• Western Canadian Grazing Conference
• websites like www.foragebeef.ca,
RogerB r yan gwowvw..acbo.wcsaa^nldafnids/hm._orrm_g1 a.nhdt m lw.v yw.srd.
2
Range Management Extension:
Building Expertise
“ he Southern Alberta Rangeland Network In 2007, participants will work on their own grazing extension, without reference to a
X ( S ARN ) i s working to build capacity in range project, with the advice from a c oach. The project person’s experience level. In short, we can all
management extension in mral municipalities, is a real-life extension activity that fits into the
learn from each other.”
conservation agencies, producer groups and other
overall extension program of the participant’s
stakeholders. SARN is g uided by Don McLennan agency. It helps the participant learn more about Fundamental to SARN is the concept of ’building
capacity’ in people. From the very beginning,
of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/PFRA, packaging and delivering information to meet
participants are involved in developing the
Barry Adams of Alberta Sustainable Resource the specific needs of producers in their area.
concept, refining the training program, and
Development/Public Lands, and Greg Hale of
At the end of the second year, the participants determining what they get out of the process by
Alberta Agriculture and Food.
their commitment.
will come together in a w rap-up session to share
lessons learned, tools and experiences.
Supported by PFRA’s Greencover Technical
“SARN’s goal is to build a network of
Assistant Component, this two-year training
initiative started in February 2006 and involves “Barry Adams describes SARN as an opportunity professionals in rangeland management who
understand what it takes to work together with
a combination of workshops, hands-on training, to Team from the circle’,” explains Hale. “When
we acknowledge that all participants bring producers to create healthier rangelands and
and mentoring assistance for participants. In the
with them a level of experience and specific
first year, classroom and field sessions helped landscapes,” says Hale.
skills, then we can create training events where
participants learn more about range management
all participants can contribute to inereasing
and methods to extend this knowledge to
producers. everyone’s understanding of rangeland and
in the
Grazing School ‘Marathon’
Milk River Basin
Grazing schools provide an excellent, hands-
the second program, running concurrently, had
on way for producers to learn more about
more in-depth information on specific topics.”
grazing management. Schools are held in various
Alberta locations each summer. For instance, He adds, “It was a b it of a marathon, but it c ame
together really well. And the only way we could
a three-day, three-location school was held last
June in the Milk River watershed. pull it off was with all our partners. On top of
the municipalities and the watershed council,
“It was a co-operative project that came from we received a lot of support through PFRA’s ow
Cardston County, the County of Warner, the Greencover Technical Assistance Program and an
m
County of Forty Mile/Cypress County, and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development/ Ro
the Milk River Watershed Council Canada,” Public Lands. And MULTISAR (multiple Day One at the Del Bonita Campground,
sfaryosm T Ciamr d Rstoomna n oCwo,u nt yth.e “EIxtt e hnasdio n b e Sepne c isaloimset sanpde c iFeiss-ha, t O preirsak t icoonn s eGrrvaasstliaonnd iCniotmimatuinviet).y , C oawnsd part of the three-day grazing school Tim
time since grazing management principles, the Nature Conservancy of Canada all provided The partners are looking at doing a follow-up
project this year with participants from the 2006
new technologies, and practices had been
technical support or funding.”
demonstrated to a lot of the producers in the school, including possibly working one-on-one
Milk River watershed, which is over all of our The school’s classroom and field sessions with interested producers to develop a grazing
municipalities. had speakers from agricultural and resource management plan for their ranch.
management agencies as well as local producers
For more information, contact Tim Romanow
talking about their innovative systems.
“We had a long list of topics, from range (403-653-4977; tim(^cardstoncounty.com).
plant ID to stocking rates, grazing management
strategies, riparian health, watering systems and Romanow notes, “Many of the producers came
to two days or all three days. They got a b igger
even issues with species at risk and things like
picture of range management and all kinds of
the Canada-Alberta Fanw Stewardship Program.
options to help them make their operations
We had a split agenda, one program focused on
more economically and environmentally
the core principles of grazing management, and
sustainable.”
3
Graziers Helping Graziers
Grazing clubs and grazing mentors are two
great ways for producers to leam from each
other.
Grazing clubs: “A grazing club is a group of
isBllaaiemnyoapdsdmr i o vAm veraaernnnsdodai l gtd eywm r o as rMn Dak ait wvgt hiestosoom gine eo nst nhthf.ae r rro e m o“ Ifta t o P ’ w scFta hRor eAamdi ’smrs ko ingt nr Rhdae a s dn s eogglsfoeai na r dle ps a e, neot”drof Kuioers/GWFA A.
support. Everybody shares their goals, and then
everybody helps each other to stay motivated
and reach their goals.”
He adds, “There’s a real synergy that evolves
from working together. Being part of a club
empowers the producers to take practical action Grazing mentors: The Sustainable Grazing
towards improving natural resource stewardship, Mentorship Program is a consulting/mentoring
Improving production
profitability and quality of life on their farms program of the Agricultural Research and efficiencies & t he
Extension Couneil of Alberta (ARECA). The
and ranches.”
environment
program pairs experienced graziers with less
At present there are about 25 clubs starting up experienced or novice graziers.
in Alberta. “It’s driven from the grassroots. A n ew, easy-to-use, readable guide
Albert Kuipers of the Grey Wooded Forage
If people want to start a club, we’ll give called Cow/Calf Operations and
them help. I’ve got a start-up kit to give Association is one of the mentors. He says, “The Greenhouse Gases offers win-win options
program is designed to help people get started
them as a guideline,” explains Mattson, who for cattle producers and the environment.
in grazing management. For a $ 100 investment
is coordinating the Alberta clubs. “We’ve tried
to model the clubs the same across Canada by the producer, a mentor like myself or one of “Cow-calf producers are already making
so if federal money becomes available, it can the many others, will come to the producer’s a significant contribution to the removal
place for about 1 6 h ours of consultation over the and reduction of greenhouse gases in
be integrated very easily.” Clubs register with
the atmosphere. By altering their existing
Mattson so that “if new information or a new course of several visits.”
management strategies, they have the
program comes along, we can make sure they’re The mentor assists the producer on things like
potential to increase their production
aware of it.” preparing a grazing plan, adopting appropriate
efficiency, creating positive results both
A c lub consists of: beneficial management practices, or whatever
for the environment and their profit
is necessary to help the producer develop a
• a k ey grass manager, who is an experienced sustainable operation. margin,” says Kerrianne Koehler-Munro of
Alberta Agriculture and Food.
grazier and the club’s contact person;
• a minimum of five other graziers; and Kuipers gives an example. “I worked with one The Cow/Calf Operations and
gentleman who had a l ot of grazing background
Greenhouse Gases guide identifies
• a technical support person selected by the but was new to this country, having come from
club. certain management practices and
Europe. He just didn’t know what to make strategies that address greenhouse
The technical support person is an agricultural of our wild climate. So we worked together
gas emissions reduction and/or carbon
extension agent or specialist from a m unicipality, developing his grazing system so that it would
sequestration in a cow/calf operation.
PFRA or other agency who has considerable be more drought proof” Within a couple of
The guide’s sections are arranged by
grazing management experience. The tech years, this producer went from a situation where
support person does the legwork to put the his pasture eapacity was sometimes barely practices, like ‘Incorporate legumes into
sufficient to get through the growing season, to tame pasture’ or ‘Chop, grind or pellet
club’s plans into action.
having enough grass leftover after the growing low quality feeds’, so producers can
Club activities might include: pasture tours, season to allow grazing for most of the winter. quickly find the information they want.
And each section has a note about
club meetings, visiting speakers, and courses
like Ranching for Profit. Topics could focus For more infomiation on this program, visit current research to help producers keep
www.areca.ab.ca.
on developing grazing plans, establishing up to date on new findings.
forage stands, or extending the grazing season.
The publication will be available online at
“Whatever they need, whatever their goal is, w e www.agric.gov.ab.ca or from
figure out how to reach it and then go for it.” Koehler-Munro (780-427-3628; kerrianne.
For more information, contact Arnold Mattson [email protected]).
(780-495-4593; [email protected]).
4
'i ~
C O UN Cl L P R o F I L E S
Agriculture and Food Council
Alberta’s Agriculture and Food Council (AFC) focuses on ndoetveesl oSphmaerpn.t of the biofuel industry, so we work hand-in-hand,” \ ^
supporting the industry’s growth, competitiveness, profitability
and sustainability. “We like to think of ourselves as a catalyst or an She emphasizes the importance of the very positive working
enabler to move the industry forward. And we recognize that in order
relationship between the Council and the Alberta and federal
to grow and be sustainable, the industry has to be profitable and that
governments. “We work very well together and because of this
profitable isn’t a b ad word,’’ says Marilyn Sharp, AFC Chair. relationship we are able to work very hard to move the industry
The Council’s membership is remarkably diverse, representing
Alberta’s entire agri-food sector. It includes people involved in Tfhoerw a ArdF.C” carries out various projects related to value chains, such
production, processing, transportation, marketing, research, and
as holding an international value chains conference, and human
education (including educators and a student representative), as
resources, such as its web-based portal (www.soiltosky.ca) on
well as representatives from the provincial and federal agriculture
opportunities in the agri-food industry.
departments. Sharp says, “We have been really fortunate with our
Council members that they look at the good of the whole industry,
Environmental policy is another key project area. “We have to take
not just their own sector.” cSahraer p .o f our land and animals so that they take care of us,” says
The AFC manages a variety of term programs and projects. For
instance, it is the Alberta delivery agent for Advancing Canadian The AFC has produced environmental policy discussion papers on
Agriculture and Agri-Food (ACAAF) program. A f ive-year federal land use and ecological stewardship and is now following up with
program, ACAAF funds projects in three areas: supporting industry- a public opinion survey. Sharp explains, “As the discussion about
led solutions to emerging opportunities; advancing research results the environment progresses, the producers need to be recognized for
so the information gets to the people who can use it; a nd information their contribution [to environmental stewardship] and needs to be
sharing.
part of the discussion.” The survey will be one way to engage both
producers and the general public in the discussion around agriculture
The Council also delivers the Alberta portion of the federal Biofuels
and the environment.
Opportunities for Producers Initiative. This initiative provides
funds for agricultural producers to develop business plans for Bob Anderson represents the AFC on AESA Council. Visit
biofuel production projects with significant producer ownership. www.agfoodcouncil.com for more infonnation.
“This program complements what the province is doing to assist
Alberta Pulse Growers Commission
Pulses - the dry edible seeds of peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas, “Agronomically pulses really fit well in crop rotation because they
fababeans, soybeans and lupins - h ave a l ot going for them. They are fix their own nitrogen. We’ve always known that, but we don’t know
part of a h ealthy diet for humans and livestock, providing agronomic
really how much they fix. In fact scientists can’t even agree on how
benefits to growers, and generating environmental benefits for
to measure how much nitrogen is fixed,” explains Grabo. “So one
everyone . ^ «... of our calls for research proposals this year will be for a p roject to
come up with a way to measure how much nitrogen pulses actually
The goal of the Alberta Pulse Growers (APG) Commission is
fix, to get the scientific community to agree that this is the standard
“to drive this industry toward a more profitable, environmentally
sustainable industry by linking science, technology and innovation measurement.” Other APG studies compare the nitrogen fixation
abilities of different types of pulses.
for the benefit of our growers and the wider community,” says Barry
Grabo, the new APG president.
Since pulses fix their own nitrogen, they don’t need any nitrogen
fertilizer. Along with reducing fertilizer costs for growers, that
He notes, “To get to where we want to be, we want to do the right saves on the energy used in producing nitrogen fertilizer. Other
research and market development to promotbrthe benefits of our
environmental benefits of pulses include improving soil health and
crops. We think that the benefits are there but %ey haven’t really tilth, and helping to break weed, disease and insect pest cycles in
been quantified at this point.”
crop rotation.
Consequently, much of the current research sponsored by this
producer group centres on putting hard numbers on the^e benefits. “When we talk about growing healthy food from healthy soil, I
think pulses have a great fit there,” says Grabo, who fanns in the
For instance, APG’s market development research includes clmTcaf
trials to assess the human health benefits of eating pulses and Strathmore area. He adds, “I think farmers have always been good
feeding trials to evaluate pulses in animal rations. Some of our stewards of the environment - we’re trying to do the best job that we
agronomic research involves pinning down the numbers for the can, and we’re certainly getting better at it as time goes on.”
nitrogen benefits of pulses. Dave Hegland represents APG on AESA Council. For more
information, visit www.pulse.ab.ca.
5
Developing Producer-Frien( UBnARyANDARC«VESCAN^
Practices to Conserve Rare Species
Rangeland stewardship by generations of
“There are many existing non-governmental, its potential ecological impacts - f rom positive
ranchers has helped to sustain crucial habitat provincial and federal stewardship program to neutral to negative - on each species. This is
for many endangered and threatened species. But delivery agencies as well as very effective accomplished by reviewing existing studies and
the complex and diverse biology of the various expertise, and then breaking out local landscape
producer groups,” says Williamson. “We want
species makes it challenging to know how to to enhance the good work they’re already doing differences. Once the BMPs for the individual
further enhance voluntary stewardship actions. by providing them with consistent, producer- species are established, the project will develop
An ambitious four-year pilot project is taking up friendly information on BMPs to conserve protocols for dealing with situations where the
that challenge. species at risk, that they can then deliver to needs of one species conflict with the needs of
another.
Called the Prairie Species-at-Risk Beneficial interested producers.”
Management Practices (BMPs) project, it b egan Although other land uses also influence species “...the biology of a species can
in 2004 and presently focuses on a p ilot group at risk, the project focuses on agriculture. That
vat7 across eco-regions and
of 14 species. The eventual goal is to expand is because farmers and ranchers assistance is
habitats, and under various land
the project’s scope to include the full suite of required to conserve Canada’s species at risk.
species at risk that overlap the agricultural “Agricultural producers can actually steward
management practices.”
prairie landscape.
species at risk on the lands they manage,” notes
Sue Michalsky, who is the project manager. Collaboration with stakeholder organizations is
The project aims “...to work with key
“Other land users that impact species at risk can essential. Through workshops and one-on-one
stakeholder organizations to build awareness
consultations, the stakeholders involved will
and understanding of what producers on the just minimize or mitigate negative impacts.”
provide input into the development of BMPs,
prairies can do to enhance the compatibility The project has two main objectives:
technology transfer products, and the BMP
oMfi c htheelier aWcitlilviitaimess o nw i tohf sEpnevciireos n maet n tr is kC,a”n a sdaay.s • to develop information on BMPs for prairie delivery process. For example, a workshop in
species at risk specific to bioregions/habitat January 2007 gathered input from representatives
She chairs the project’s multi-agency steering of about 30 stakeholder organizations, such as
committee, which includes agricultural and types; and
environmental agencies of the Government of • to provide technical support to extension and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Alberta
Beef Producers, Saskatchewan Association of
Canada and the three Prairie Provinces. program delivery agencies on these BMPs.
Service Wildlife Canadian - Canada Environment Scpoemcpiaetsi b laet rwiistk,h l aikger i tchuilst u brue rrowing owl, can be - becVT“ohdap.afgxoiaaor br pmrot. a ii lpid.aacctalt oi bt uaeieduvai ltnsnxsecestsdpsi ea rue,e t s r s.ltc ye.a i o tix,”al th ei n baTywss det-hptt i rhri e t veatcneu eh chaglnr etpn ayd dir t e cosa rt ejertvtghede eaeaic c nwrobts veoyan a Bar rm si rt MdtmercieashP. eeoache srmunm i bo sH d,apps r or er is eaws dk l i ape ba arbkrveuin busoeeicdplt sglo rr edr - a dm i arac Wnoaec mttgichngiwbs leociia n lerooa g bs idln ieu iioasnn monegc moilgviel sfqoe cuantouarg dnetntleeyydno jwpRCwEF“siSoraaToauonuaioshnrencurckjnit allatehses dudlecM m d adl t i o ..gi ct nrs r lnMtohgetieog uhtaakua nbe)ielpk .ei ns tie sctpk hn h iooiryef of pnom o lajpo ratdaleA(mmdhrcei3Evaeettrt0i ti’Sni s 6csipe tAoi- rosdrup o2 n,estajm9 etce,5 ec cPio-c” athrdro3 . nneo ni6 i dn stg 9cin S i rfa6 oton al;thuDm yh em eeuoe so ,sau c sw p dr ku rW v otoeshii rojmla o sgeiilv r gcaonicgetUrnrvaa,hoi nyo mnazwl lsia lai cvzotgl somaainerrnkisto.oedty tinu aa (tesopcd h^d,n.tyei t
Green Matters, Issue No. 31, Spring 2007 To subscribe to Green Matters, call 780-422-4385. Green Matters is also available online at
© A ESA Council, 2007 www1.agric.gov.ab.ca.
Aussi disponible en frangais.
Editorial Board: Bruce Beattie, Larry Kitz, Murray Klutz, Terry Rachuk
Green Matters is the newsletter of the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Editor: Roger Bryan
Council. AESA Council consists of representatives from Alberta's agriculture and food processing Contributors: Carolyn King, Bruce Beattie
industry, environmental organizations, and municipal, provincial and federal governments. Design and Typesetting: P40 Communications
AESA Council’s vision is that Alberta has a t hriving agriculture and food industry that is operating
in an environmentally responsible manner. Its mission is to lead the agriculture and food industry
AESA
in addressing environmental challenges. And its g oal is to develop and deliver collaborative Canada /dibcri’a
environmental stewardship initiatives that result in sustainable growth of Alberta’s farm, ranch
and agri-food processing industry. Alberta EAgnrviicruolntmuernet a Pllryo g rSaums tainable
The purpose of Green Matters is to provide a f orum for discussion of environmental issues in Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) - A F ederal-Provincial-Territorial Initiative
Alberta’s agriculture and food processing industry.
6
