Developing an Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy for Ontario, Canada.

Agricultural soils in Ontario, Canada are facing challenges from climate change, changing farm practices and declining soil organic matter, as elsewhere around the globe. Soil health is essential to farm profits, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Agricultural practices have changed, affecting soil health and conservation. Forage crops have declined dramatically since 1921, pasture area decreased by 78.7% and hay area by 44.9%. Annual crops take up a growing proportion of the landscape, growing from 28% of crop/pasture area in 1976 to 57% in 2011. Crop rotations are becoming simpler over time. Tillage appears to be increasing in most areas, but statistics and data are ambiguous. Soil organic matter continues to decline overall, with 82% of farmland continuing to lose soil organic matter annually. Soil erosion risk has improved over time, but appears to have stalled in recent years. 57% of farmland continues to be at risk of losing soil at a rate higher than is sustainable. Public sector resources devoted to soil conservation has changed significantly with reduced availability compared to previous decades.

As a result of these concerns, a Soil Health and Conservation Strategy is being developed to ensure agricultural soils are sustainably managed for the long-term. A collaborative approach is being used to develop the strategy and ensure that farm organizations, farmers, conservation agencies and government all have a stake in the outcomes and in delivery. A working group of stakeholders has been assembled to guide the development of the soil strategy. The strategy will address four theme areas: Soil Management; Soil Information and Mapping; Soil Monitoring and Modelling; and Soil Knowledge and Innovation. The strategy will build on existing extension, education, research, and incentive programs.