Conservation efforts pay off for farmers

Jul 26, 2023

Farmers are learning that environmental stewardship can pay dividends.

During a recent field day, the Seine Rat River Watershed District highlighted two of the four projects in which farmers were able to take advantage of Alternative Land Use Services Canada (ALUS) funding to incentivize environmental upgrades to their land.

The district entered a partnership with ALUS in 2019, but the funding expanded to include the option of regular payments to farmers in some cases.

“Prior to 2021, we couldn’t give an annual payment as a supplement to a project,” says district manager Joey Pankiw. “We would just be paying for the establishment costs, and then the land would be taken out of production, and the farmer wouldn’t get any compensation.”

However, in 2021, the funding arrangement was amended so farmers could receive annual payments, which has helped encourage program uptake.

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Video: Do Cold Temps Impact Emerging Corn & Soybeans? | Pioneer Agronomy

A cold snap swept across west central Minnesota and eastern South Dakota, bringing frost, fog, and temperatures dipping into the 20s—raising urgent questions about early crop damage.

Pioneer Agronomist Eric Rice breaks down what those overnight temperatures could mean for emerged corn and soybeans, how to assess frost injury, and why patience is key before making any replant decisions. Learn the critical differences between corn and soybean growing points, what cosmetic vs. serious damage looks like, and how last week’s high winds may also be influencing what you’re seeing in the field.

Watch for:

• Frost thresholds for early-season crop damage

• Why corn may be more resilient than it looks

• Soybean growth stages and frost susceptibility

• How to evaluate brittle stems and discolored tissue

• Why waiting 4–5 days before assessing stand loss matters

• When to contact your local Pioneer agronomist or sales representative