Transcript No Slide Title

Canadian Agriculture and
Climate Change: Challenges
and Opportunities
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Changes and adaptation are part of
business in agriculture
Variations from Expected Wheat Yield, 1917 - 2000
2
Climate change means new potential pressures
Crops
Heat, Winter damage,
Livestock
Weeds, Pests
Productivity, Diseases,
Power Outages
Resources
Loss of Arable Land,
Stress on Water
Resources
Food processing
Pathogens, Parasites,
Mycotoxins , Residues
Rural communities
Lifestyle, Income
on the agriculture and agri-food industry,
and on rural communities
3
The Atlantic region is likely to benefit
from a longer growing season
Effective Growing
Degree Days
Source: Bootsma et al. 2001
4
Longer growing seasons are also
predicted for the Prairies...
Source: Harron et al. 2001
1961-90
2040-69
Effective Growing
Degree Days
5
…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)
6
Favorable cropping conditions may shift
Source: Harron et al. 2001
northward….
1961-90
2040-69
…but we may not have adequate
soil conditions available
7
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
9
Climate change means new risks to
producers ...
Pressures
Responses
Increased
temperature
Risk management
programs
Increased variations
in climate
Irrigation efficiency
Reduced water
availability
Degraded soil
Different pests,
pathogens and
weeds behaviour
Water allocations
Research
Improved resource
management
… and government needs to act
10
Coping with Global Warming
and Climate Variability requires
…
Short-term
strategies …
Continuing
Adaptation
...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
12
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
13
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
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