Sustainability
Committed to clean air, clean water and clean land, Canadian farmers grow some of the most sustainable crops in the world. At Cereals Canada, our goal is to provide customers with information on how the cereals value chain is meeting the goals of sustainability.
Cereals Canada Sustainability Reports
Canada is a global leader in the production of high quality, nutritious, and sustainable cereal grains. To provide information on how the cereals value chain is meeting this challenge, Cereals Canada has developed a series of sustainability reports for non-durum wheat, durum wheat, barley, and oats.
Recognizing that there are many ways to define “sustainability,” for the purposes of these reports, we define environmental sustainability for agriculture as “managing our natural resources to meet society’s food, fuel, fibre, and feed needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Sustainability Indicators
Increasing emphasis on sustainable production of agricultural products has led to a demand for measurements of environmental sustainability. To evaluate the environmental sustainability of Canadian non-durum wheat, durum wheat, barley, and oat production, Cereals Canada has developed a set of six environmental sustainability indicators, used throughout these reports.
These indicators were developed to evaluate the environmental sustainability of Canadian cereal production, and rely on data that is scientifically sound, defensible, and robust.
Investment by the Canadian government and the private sector into research, innovation, and incentivization are necessary to build upon the sustainability gains already achieved by wheat, barley, and oat producers and the Canadian agricultural sector as a whole.
Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Non-Durum Wheat
Wheat is the largest field crop grown in Canada, where is it used domestically as well as exported to over 80 countries. As a cornerstone of global food security, increases in wheat production will be necessary to feed an expanding global population.
In our report, Cereals Canada compares the sustainability of Canadian wheat production systems to two other major wheat production systems: the United States and Australia, using the six sustainability indicators above. Based on our analysis, the following conclusions can be made about the sustainability of Canadian wheat production:
The carbon footprint of wheat per tonne of grain in Canada is substantially lower compared to the carbon footprint of wheat produced in the United States or Australia when accounting for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration.
Canadian cropland soil is a carbon dioxide (CO2) sink, with a 5-year average CO2 sequestration of 14.2 million tonnes per year. Additionally, Canada grows high quality, high protein wheat. Canadian farmers produce the highest tonnes of protein per acre of wheat grown. The result of this is a very low carbon footprint per kilogram of protein produced.
Application rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for Canadian wheat production are tailored to grow high protein wheat, balancing food production and environmental considerations.
In Canada, irrigation pressures are minimal as the majority of wheat is grown under dryland conditions. Compared to the United States and Australia, Canada uses less irrigation water to grow wheat.
Pesticides are strictly regulated in Canada to ensure their safety for human health and the environment. Pesticides are a tool used for wheat production in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Glyphosate is an herbicide approved for use in all three countries and is subject to comparable label application rates for analogous products in cereal production systems.
Conservation management practices adopted by Canadian wheat producers such as conservation or no-till management, diversification of crop rotations, cover cropping, and the establishment of vegetative buffer strips and grassed waterways facilitate soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and mitigate soil erosion, such that soil erosion in Canada has declined substantially and over 80% of cropland in Canada is classified as “very low risk” (soil erosion rates less than 2.5 tonnes per acre per year).
Canadian farmers have responded to demands for sustainable food production, as evidenced by the widespread adoption of regionally specific conservation management practices, which have resulted in Canadian soils sequestering vast amounts of SOC and becoming a substantial CO2 sink. Because of this, the carbon footprint of wheat production in Canada is generally smaller than in the United States or Australia when measured as tonnes of wheat grown and by tonnes of wheat protein produced. Additionally, conservation management practices have substantially reduced erosion rates on Canadian croplands.
Canadian wheat production boasts several sustainability advantages compared to other major wheat producing areas. To see how Canada compares, read the report:
Sustainability is one of the defining concepts of agriculture today. In the next century, agricultural production of adequate quantities of high-quality food will be one of the most important challenges for humanity.
Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Durum Wheat
Canada is the world’s leading producer of durum wheat. Grown exclusively in the prairie provinces, Canada Western Amber Durum (CWAD) accounts for over half of the world’s durum exports. Its superior yellow colour, high protein content, good gluten quality, and high semolina yield make it a prized wheat for the production of pasta.
In this report, we compare the sustainability of Canadian durum wheat production systems to two other major durum wheat production systems: Italy and the United States, using the six sustainability indicators above. Based on our analysis, the following conclusions can be made about the sustainability of Canadian durum wheat production:
The carbon footprint of durum wheat per tonne of grain and a per kilogram of protein production in Canada is substantially lower compared to the carbon footprint of durum wheat produced in Italy or the United States when accounting for soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration.
Canadian cropland soil is a carbon dioxide (CO2 ) sink, with a 5-year average CO2 sequestration of 14.2 million tonnes per year. Additionally, Canada grows high quality, high protein durum wheat. Canadian farmers produce the highest tonnes of protein per acre of durum wheat grown. The result of this is a very low carbon footprint per kilogram of protein produced.
Application rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilizer for durum wheat production are generally lowest in Canada when compared to Italy and the United States. Further, both the nutrient balance (from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]) and the sustainable nitrogen management index (from the Environmental Performance Index [EPI]) demonstrate that Canada and the United States have comparable nutrient sustainability metrics, both surpassing Italian agroecosystems in terms of sustainable nutrient management.
In Canada, irrigation pressures are minimal, and existing water withdrawals are estimated to be lower than those for durum wheat production in Italy and the United States. Canadian irrigation water use for durum wheat production is an order of magnitude lower than that of Italy or the United States.
Pesticides are used for durum wheat production in Canada, Italy, and the United States. Glyphosate is an herbicide approved for use in all three countries and is subject to comparable label application rates for analogous products for control of annual and perennial weeds in cereal production systems.
Canada leads in adoption of soil conservation management practices, with 75% adoption of no-till in the largest durum producing province, compared to 45% adoption in North Dakota, and only approximately 20% adoption of no-till in Italy. Soil erosion in Canada has declined drastically in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan where durum wheat is primarily cultivated. Canadian producers are leaders in the adoption of conservation management practices that minimize erosion risk, such as no-till and reduced summer fallow.
The carbon footprint of durum wheat production in Canada is substantially lower compared to the carbon footprint of durum wheat produced in Italy or the United States. Additionally, durum wheat production in Canada uses less fertilizer inputs than Italian durum and produces more durum wheat with significantly less irrigation water than Italy or the United States.
Canadian durum wheat maintains an overall sustainability advantage compared to other durum wheat producing areas. To see how Canada compares, read the report:
Innovations from plant breeding research and techniques, the use of modern farming practices, and science-based regulations help growers and the value chain do more with less while keeping ingredients affordable and looking after the environment.
Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Oats
Canada is a major supplier of oats, making up the majority of world oat exports. Canadian oats supply three primary markets: milling oats for human consumption, performance or pony oats as feed for high-end race or competitive horses, and high-yielding feed oat varieties.
In our report, Cereals Canada compares the sustainability of Canadian oat production systems to two other major oat production systems: Australia and Sweden, using the six sustainability indicators above. Based on our analysis, the following conclusions can be made about the sustainability of Canadian oat production:
The carbon footprint of oats per tonne of grain in Canada is lower than that of oats grown in Sweden and comparable to the carbon footprint of oats produced in Australia when soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is not accounted for. When SOC sequestration is factored in, the carbon footprint of Canadian oats is substantially reduced
Canadian cropland soil is a carbon dioxide (CO2) sink, with a 5-year average CO2 sequestration of 14.2 million tonnes per year
Application rates of fertilizer for Canadian oat production reflect efficient management of fertilizer that optimizes yields and mitigates fertilizer losses. Canadian croplands have a high sustainable nitrogen management index, a measurement that accounts for responsible nutrient management and crop yield potential.
In Canada, oat production is an efficient user of water resources. Irrigation pressures are minimal as the majority of oats are grown under dryland conditions. This is consistent with oat production in Australia and Sweden.
Pesticides are strictly regulated in Canada to ensure their safety for human health and the environment. Pesticides are a tool used for oat production in Canada, Australia, and Sweden. Glyphosate is an herbicide approved for use in all three countries and is subject to comparable label application rates for analogous products.
Conservation management practices adopted by Canadian oat producers such as conservation or no-till management and diversification of crop rotations facilitate soil carbon sequestration, maintain or improve soil health, and mitigate soil erosion, such that soil erosion in Canada has declined substantially and over 80% of cropland in Canada is classified as “very low risk” (soil erosion rates less than 2.5 tonnes per acre per year).
The carbon footprint of oat production in Canada is very low. Additionally, Canadian oat growers manage nutrient applications to maximize food production and minimize losses, efficiently utilize water resources to grow their crops, and adopt conservation management practices that have minimized soil erosion and protected soil health.
To see how Canada compares, read the report:
Overall, Canadian farmers have responded to demands for sustainable food production by adopting new technologies and conservation management practices that have reduced the environmental impact of Canadian grain production.
Environmental Sustainability of Canadian Barley
Barley is an ancient cereal grain that has been grown and consumed for thousands of years. In North America, barley is a major crop used for animal feed as well as for malt for brewing. Critically, barley is a stress tolerant crop that has substantial potential to address sustainability challenges.
In our report, Cereals Canada compares the sustainability of Canadian barley production systems to two other major barley production systems: Australia and France, using the six sustainability indicators above. Based on our analysis, the following conclusions can be made about the sustainability of Canadian barley production:
The carbon footprint of barley per tonne of grain in Canada is comparable to the carbon footprint of barley produced in Australia or France when soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration is not accounted for. When SOC sequestration is accounted for, the carbon footprint of Canadian barley is substantially reduced.
Canadian cropland soil is a carbon dioxide (CO2) sink, with a 5-year average SOC sequestration rate of 14.2 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
Application rates of fertilizer for Canadian barley production reflect efficient management of fertilizer that optimizes yields and mitigates fertilizer losses. Canadian fertilizer application rates and barley yields are greater than Australia, but reduced compared to France, where nitrogen fertilizer rates are approximately 45% higher.
In Canada, barley production efficiently utilizes water resources. Irrigation pressures are minimal as the vast majority of barley is grown under dryland conditions. This is consistent with Australia and French production systems.
Pesticides are strictly regulated in Canada to ensure their safety for human health and the environment. Pesticides are a tool used for barley production in Canada, Australia, and France. Glyphosate is an herbicide approved for use in all three countries and is subject to comparable label application rates for analogous products.
Conservation management practices adopted by Canadian barley producers such as conservation tillage or no-till and diversification of crop rotations facilitate SOC sequestration, maintain or improve soil health, and mitigate soil erosion, such that soil erosion in Canada has declined substantially and over 80% of cropland in Canada is classified as “very low risk” (soil erosion rates less than 2.5 tonnes per acre per year).
The carbon footprint of barley production in Canada is very low. Additionally, Canadian barley growers manage nutrient applications to maximize food production and minimize losses, efficiently utilize water resources to grow their crops, and adopt conservation management practices that minimize soil erosion and protect soil health.
To see how Canada compares, read the report:
Canada is Setting the Standard for Modern Farming Practices
Everything we grow advances global food security.
Our farm partners, BC Grain Producers Association, Alberta Grains, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Grain Farmers of Ontario, Producteurs de grains du Québec and the Atlantic Grains Council are committed to economic sustainability while meeting their commitments to people and the planet.
Through modern agriculture practices, these tools help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address climate change and help to build biodiversity.
Clean, Consistent, Quality
Through modern farming practices, Canadian farmers can grow strong wheat varieties, use good farm management practices from planting to harvest and on-farm storage. Canada has a natural advantage when it comes to land, water and climate. Through strong science-based regulation from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), it sets the high standards for clean, consistent quality grains.
Innovation
Across the country, agriculture continues to make advancements in farming practices and crop production. Led by Cereals Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the National Wheat Research priorities have been developed. Through a unique national collaboration of farmers, federal and provincial governments, public research institutions, exporters and processors, this partnership between public and private sectors are committed to delivering innovation in the wheat sector.
Sustainability
Current farm management practices continue to provide a better and healthier farming environment than previous generations. Modern practices like conservation tillage (minimum or zero tillage) help to capture or sequester carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to slow or reverse atmospheric CO2 to mitigate and reverse global warming keeping sustainability at the forefront of farming.