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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-03-18, Page 47Pogo 7A Senator, author speaks to farmers on erosion By David Enaslie CLINTON - "Soil degradation is a serious national problem, it needs national atten- tion," said Senator Herbert Sparrow in opening his speech at the Bank of Mon- treal's First Bank Agricultural Outlook. The senator, and three bank represen- tatives, were . speakers at this agricultural meeting that was held at the Clinton Town Hall on March 5. While he noted that most farmers would feel that the economy is the most serious problem facing the agricultural industry, he said this problem would hopefully last only two or three years. "Beyond that, the most serious crisis is soil degradation, our soils are at risk, our future is eroding," he said. The senator could be termed an expert in. this field as he was on the senate committee that put together the soil degradation and conservation study which was published in the book Soil At Risk. "Soils are at risk" He explained that when this sub commit- tee sits, they meet with anywhere from 30 to 50 farming groups. When the committee raised the question of whether there was a problem with soil degradation with the farm groups, Senator Sparrow said it was evident there was a problem. In February of 1984 the sub committee got permission from the Senate to do the study, and they released it in July of that year. "What we found was the .problem was much more serious than ' we realized. We found it was so serious we couldn't take two "Soil degradation national or three years to do the study. We decided to work seven days a week to do it, it was that serious," he said. While carrying out the study, the commit- tee found there was a great deal of conser- vation knowledge within the farming com- munities, but at the same time there was a great deal of frustration because nothing was being done to save the land. The senator stated, "We found the cost of production is so high, and the returns so low, that if a farmer wanted to be a conserva- tionist he couldn't afford to." Different forms of degradation were found to take place across Canada. These in- clude erosion by water and wind, soil com- paction, salinization of soil and soil being ruined or used up through man's expansion into farmlands. `These forms (of erosion) are taking place in every community in our nation. I could talk about one form, but here are. so many forms, we're talking . millions of acres," said Senator Sparrow. "We owe the future generations a right to a livelihood in this nation. In all of Canada only nine per cent of land is suitable for growth. Half of that is suitable for agricultural growth," he explained. The first specific area he touched on was Atlantic Canada, an area he described as a very crucial part of Canada's agricultural industry. J.W. HENDERSON LIMITED, LUCKNOW, 528-3118 HOURS: MON.-FRI. 8-5:30 p.rn. SAT. 8 -NOON eeds e noon" "They started with 18 inches of top soil, they are down to six inches," he said, adding that it took less than 100 years for this soil to vanish. "Very little is being done about it. The way they're losing topsoil, they will lose agriculture in 30 years..All they're going to have left are rocks." Farmers in Quebec are losing a large amount of their soil due to runoff. Because the soil has been well worked, it has become very powdery, and when the rains come it is being carried off into the low lying areas such as lakes and streams. "A study was done by the federal govern- ment, on these soils, and if they continue los- ing them at the rate they are today, they will be gone in 20 years," said Senator Sparrow. Another large problem in Quebec is urban expansion. On this subject the senator ques- tioned why Mirabel Airport needed 75,000 acres of land. I-fe answered his own question when he said they took the land because they thought it was useless. "We can't afford to lease those farms, we need those voices, that production," he pointed out. Ontario suffers from many of the erosion problems, and the province's problems are exaggerated when it comes to degradation through urban expansion. "If you look from the CN Tower on a clear day you can see 50 per cent of the number one and number two topsoils," said Senator Sparrow. "Urban expansion is eating it up at 26 acres an hour. In less than 10 years we lose over three -million acres to urban expansion. "I believe Ontario has only 40 to 50 years of viable agriculture left if they don't care for the land." He pointed out that just looking at one's own community will not help the problem as the nation's agricultural industry is at stake. Senator Sparrow tried to persuade the gathered farmers toi read the report. "Please read the book. The methods ( of conservation) you do agree with, try to in- corporate with your play. Talk to your neighbors about it. Soil conservation has to be a part of it. Any one of these issues can save topsoil. If you can save one ton, it's worth it." He added that the farmers alone cannot shulder the responsibility of making sure the soil is saved, and the consumer is going to have to help out through paying higher prices for goods or\ higher taxes to the government so they can help the farmers out. "These soils,belong to future generations, we must be guardians. The consuming public has to be spending money' or in 30 Turn to page 8A You Can Count On These.... 61a, PIONEER® Performance Leaders PIONEER SEED CORN NEW 3953 NEW 3790 • 3859 03851 •.3949 •3950 • 3737 03925 03906 •3975A PIONEER ALFALFA, +524 •526 '532 ALL VARIETIES AVAILABLE IN 90% ALFALFA - 10% TIMOTHY 80% ALFALFA - 20% TIMOTHY PIONEER SOYBEANS SILA-BAC SILAGE INOCULANT 1177" NEW 1282 0877 LT A DISCOUNT When you order your Corn, Alfalfa & Silo -Bac together Your Pioneer Sales Representative Is: Bruce Raynard R. R. 1, LUCKNOW 528-3502 a.