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Agricultural service boards

Description

The role of Agricultural Service Boards, what they do, funding they provide to their communities and the benefits those communities derive from Agricultural Service Boards.

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An introduction to water erosion control

Description

This publication describes cost-effective ways to maintain successful crop production while protecting soil and water quality.

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Grassed waterway improvement and gully restoration

Description

Each year, tonnes of topsoil are eroded from localized areas on some Alberta farms. This loss is serious for several reasons: * The remaining soil has less productivity. * Eroded soils deposited... More ≫

Description

Each year, tonnes of topsoil are eroded from localized areas on some Alberta farms. This loss is serious for several reasons: * The remaining soil has less productivity. * Eroded soils deposited elsewhere in the field carry nutrients and pesticides that will increase the range of soil conditions in the field. * Eroded soil may be carried into nearby watercourses, reducing water quality. The Alberta Soil Conservation Act places the responsibility for controlling erosion on the landowner and requires municipalities to appoint a soil conservation officer to administer the Act locally.

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Grassed waterway construction

Description

Grassed waterways are broad, shallow channels that carry surface runoff with a minimum of erosion. Natural waterways are easily seeded to forages, either grass or grass-legume mixtures, to prevent... More ≫

Description

Grassed waterways are broad, shallow channels that carry surface runoff with a minimum of erosion. Natural waterways are easily seeded to forages, either grass or grass-legume mixtures, to prevent severe soil loss and gully formation. These waterways are constructed with uniform grades to gradually carry water down slopes and with flat bottoms to spread the water out and slow it. The vegetation in the channel retards the flow and provides a more durable channel surface that resists the soil cutting action of water. With proper fertilization and maintenance, a grassed waterway can be a productive forage area. Reshaping and grassing a gully allows easy access and crossing for machinery.

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Comparison of cultivated and native soils in a morainal landscape in east central Alberta

Description

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 80 years of cultivation on a morainal landscape in east central Alberta. Specific objectives were to: determine the relationship between... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 80 years of cultivation on a morainal landscape in east central Alberta. Specific objectives were to: determine the relationship between landscape position and erosion on cultivated slopes in complex terrain; examine the influence of landscape position on selected soil properties thought to be indicators of changes in soil quality; and evaluate the overall effects of long-term cultivation on slope processes and soil quality in this landscape and region.

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Benchmark sites for monitoring agricultural soil quality

Description

This fact sheet gives an overview of a project to establish pan-Canadian benchmark sites to monitor agricultural soil quality. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada established a national network... More ≫

Description

This fact sheet gives an overview of a project to establish pan-Canadian benchmark sites to monitor agricultural soil quality. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada established a national network representing represent major agro-ecoregions, soil landscapes, and agricultural production systems, to serve as reference landscapes for monitoring soil quality change over time. Four of the 23 benchmark sites are located in Alberta at Falher, Mundare, Provost, and Bow Island.

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