Although some still deny that climate change is real, after decades of doing research and keeping records, all the evidence proves that climate change is real. 

The ice caps at both the north and south poles are decreasing year after year. More extreme weather changes have been seen by everybody. Wild fires are becoming a yearly event in some areas . . .

After forest fires, any extended rain causes extreme erosion in areas where the roots of trees and grasses held soil in place for decades. We are aware of an increase in algae blooms in rivers and lakes because of fertilized soil high in phosphorus and nitrogen being swept down with flood waters. 

Where an extended dry spell or drought used to be a once in a lifetime event, we now observe a drought of some magnitude every few years. Locally, in fields that 50 years ago only received enough heat units to grow hay and oats, we now see thousands of acres of soybeans and grain corn. 

In cities in Asia, Europe and now even Canada, it is common to see air quality and smog so thick that air advisory reports are given out daily and masks to filter out some of the dirty air were a common sight long before COVID-19 was reported.

We have been warned by our record keepers, scientists and climate projectionists that we must begin now to take measures to slow down and reverse this climate change which will eventually lead to a scorched earth that is totally uninhabitable. If no change is made by 2030, it will be impossible to turn back. 

For years the environmentalists have been pointing fingers at the poor old cows for farting too much and destroying the ozone layer. Since December 2020, our agricultural advisers have been telling farmers that they may have to lead the charge to begin to get our make adjustments that will help save our planet. 

Farmers cannot stop planes from flying, nor people from driving cars or trucks. Consumers may be convinced to buy and eat more locally grown foods, but many foods will have to be imported forever.

It was simple to point out that improving the water holding capacity of the soil could reduce runoff during extreme rains and wet periods. It was also quite easy to show how soils with better water holding capacity could supply this stored up water to plants to get them through extended dry spells and droughts. Improving soil organic matter is the key to that. Maintaining and increasing organic matter will require some adjustments on some farms with farming practices. Continuous cropping reduces soil structure and depletes organic matter. Pasture and hay crops increases organic matter and improves soil structure. The beef (cow-calf) farms already embrace this practice.

Most dairy farms use crop rotation that includes hay and crops changing from field to field, year to year. Heavy applications of chemical fertilizers and chemical sprays combined with continuous cropping can reduce organic matter, reduce life in the soil, make the soil harder, reduce the water holding capacity and leave it more susceptible to water and wind erosion. 

So, how can the farmer reduce some of these practices and still grow good crops? The key factor is to maintain a healthy soil that is alive with worms, and thousands of minute little animals that can turn soil into fertilizer for the plants. Unfortunately, during the last 100 years, most of the research has been funded by chemical and pharmaceutical companies and very little basic research has been done. 

One of Quebec’s finest agronomists was fired because he exposed corruption between these companies and the government. He was later vindicated for telling the truth and rehired. Now much of the new grant money for agriculture is targeting the reduction of chemical fertilizer, herbicide and pesticide use in agriculture. This will lead a major shift in farming practices for the majority of the world’s farmers. 

Our farmers have been changing practices for thousands of years and have proven to be very resilient. There will be a lot of kicking and screaming from the general population over any forced reduction in fossil fuel use and taxing carbon to discourage fossil fuel usage. However, our planet has survived thousands of years of change and many wars and other hardships. We can adapt to these too.

Chris Judd is a farmer in Clarendon on land that has been in his family for generations. gladcrest@gmail.com