Ep. 426: Can Farming Survive Government Policy?

Guest: Kristjan Hebert

Farming is a risky business and it’s even riskier when bad government policies undermine good farming and agricultural practices.

Kristjan Hebert says, “I can deal with a bad year, a bad crop, and even Mother Nature, but I can’t insure against bad policy.” He is speaking to the federal government’s plan to cut back on the amount of nitrogen Canada emits by use of fertilizers.

That plan would see a 30% reduction in emissions from fertilizers – a plan that farmers warn will result in a dramatic reduction in food production coupled with a dramatic increase in the cost of food. Kristjan Hebert says, “Villainizing farmers is counterproductive because farmers are committed to protecting the environment.” He points to the fact that farmers invest heavily in scientific practices in soil testing, crop rotation, nutrient management, and chemical applications.

Adding to that, during the crop rotation process many farmers grow pulses that naturally return nitrogen to the soil. Hebert says, “It all adds up to a care for the land and the environment and farmers do that because the land is their lifeblood.”

We invited Kristjan Hebert to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the myriad ways in which agriculture benefits the environment and how farmers are constantly striving to improve best practices.