For agronomist and farm manager at Van Giessen Growers near Coaldale, sustainability isn't just a buzzword — it’s a necessity. Operating a farm that supplies major food processors across Western Canada with root crops such as potatoes and carrots, Grant knows firsthand the risks of soil erosion, particularly after harvest. That’s why he turned to the OFCAF program, delivered by RDAR, to help implement a cover cropping strategy that would help reduce soil loss and improve resiliency.
Farmers in southern Alberta have long struggled with erosion, especially after potato harvest. Once the crop is lifted in late September, the soil is left exposed and vulnerable to wind. Without proper ground cover, valuable topsoil can be stripped away, drastically impacting long-term productivity. Ripping, the practice of texturing the soil to reduce wind erosion, can work, but once the lumps break down the field is left prone to erosion. As a result, many farmers are turning to cover crops as an alternative. "The topic in the last five, ten years has been trying to be more sustainable, keeping a living root in the soil for as long as possible," says Grant. "But for a grower, it’s a bit of a gamble. You're paying for seed, diesel, labour, and wear on the equipment — and you might not get a return if the crop doesn’t provide enough cover before the snow arrives.”
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