Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Program
The Counties of Vermilion River and Minburn have formed a partnership to deliver the Alberta Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture (AESA) Program
Priority Management Issues:
Grazing and Riparian Management Program:
Goal:
This program will help the producers in the Counties of Vermilion River and Minburn to improve the health of both their pastures and riparian areas by adopting grazing and riparian beneficial management practices; and remain economically viable while doing so.
Management Practices To Be Addressed:
With the drought and BSE putting increased pressure on pastures located in the two counties the promotion of environmentally sustainable grazing practices in uplands and riparian areas will remain a high priority. The following practices will be addressed through workshops, demonstrations and one-on-one work with producers:
- the use of winter/spring cereals,
- matching livestock to forage supply,
- not utilizing riparian/sensitive areas at vulnerable times,
- setting up and designing a grazing plan,
- assessing pasture health whether native/tame/forested
- resting pastures,
- maintaining diverse plant cover
Integrated Crop Management Program:
Goal:
This program will help producers continue to adopt direct seeding practices and practice an integrated approach to pest management in the Counties of Vermilion River and Minburn; and remain economically viable while doing so.
Management Practices To Be Addressed:
Practices promoted by the program are targeted to:
- preventing erosion
- conserving soil moisture
- enhancing soil quality
- leaving crop residue,
- using cover crops
- changing seeding practices.
Nutrient Management Program:
Goal:
This program will help to increase the adoption of responsible nutrient management planning in the Counties of Vermilion River and Minburn and; for producers to remain economically viable while doing so.
Management Practices To Be Addressed:
The program will continue to promote nutrient management BMPs to ensure the protection of ground and surface water. Producers will be given the opportunity to attend workshops to learn about designing and implementing nutrient management plans. Efforts will be made to further reduce odor concerns throughout the municipalities by promotion of the following manure management practices/legislation:
- Apply based on crop nutrients required
- Inject liquid manure
- Cover manure storage (liquids)
- AOPA
- Manage livestock to prevent manure runoff to water bodies