Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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Canadian Agriculture and Climate Change
Challenges and Opportunities

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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Changes and adaptation are part of business in
agriculture
Variations from Expected Wheat Yield, 1917 - 2000
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on the agriculture and agri-food industry, and
on rural communities
Climate change means new potential pressures
Crops Heat, Winter damage, Weeds, Pests
Livestock Productivity, Diseases, Power Outages
Resources Loss of Arable Land, Stress on Water
Resources
Food processing Pathogens, Parasites, Mycotoxins
, Residues
Rural communities Lifestyle, Income
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The Atlantic region is likely to benefit from a
longer growing season
Effective Growing Degree Days
Source Bootsma et al. 2001
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Longer growing seasons are also predicted for
the Prairies...
Source Harron et al. 2001
1961-90
2040-69
Effective Growing Degree Days
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but with large moisture deficits
Source Harron et al. 2001
1961-90
2040-69
Moisture Deficit for the Prairies (Precipitation
minus Potential Evapotranspiration, mm/year)
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Favorable cropping conditions may shift
northward.
Source Harron et al. 2001
1961-90
2040-69
but we may not have adequate soil conditions
available
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Extreme events, particularly drought,are already
a very serious concern
Drought Severity Index SW Saskatchewan and SE
Alberta
(Sauchyn and Skinner, 2001)
and are expected to be aggravated
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Adequate water resources management...

• Effective watershed management
• On-farm water management
• Alternate production systems
• Efficient irrigation practices
• Prevention of wetland loss

will be key in addressing this issue
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Climate change means new risks to producers ...
Responses Risk management programs Irrigation
efficiency Water allocations Research Improved
resource management
Pressures Increased temperature Increased
variations in climate Reduced water
availability Degraded soil Different pests,
pathogens and weeds behaviour
and government needs to act
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...And long-term strategies
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The Agriculture Policy Framework short-term
response and positioning for the long term
The APF elements
Food Safety and Food Quality
Environment
Science and Innovation
Renewal
Business Risk Management
International Trade Development
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How can Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada help the
sector adapt to global warming and climate
variability?
Science and Innovation

• Improved models to predict impacts on agriculture
  and agri-food sectors
• Sustainable productions systems
• Development of more resilient crops
• Improved agricultural practices
• New technologies for water use efficiency

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How can Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada help the
sector adapt to global warming and climate
variability?
Business Risk Management

• Production Insurance
• New NISA Programs
• Stabilization
• Disaster
• Investment
• Tax Deferral Designations

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How can Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada help the
sector adapt to global warming and climate
variability?
Renewal

• Assistance in dealing with changes
• Linking science with opportunities/ Technology
  transfer
• Improved decision support systems
• Skills and training

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How can Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada help the
sector adapt to global warming and climate
variability?
Environment

• Security of water supply
• National Land and Water Information Service
• Improved weather and climate information
• Best Management Practices
• Environmental Farm Plans
• Greencover
• Agri- Environmental Indicators

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Long-term approach Continue developing
adaptation strategies
Building scientific tools, knowledge base and
capacity Develop strategies and partnerships to
address emerging issues Adjust and add programs
to support adaptation
...and take advantage of opportunities