Ducks Unlimited Launches Marginal Areas Program in Alberta

Ducks Unlimited Launches Marginal Areas Program in Alberta

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

Janine Paly knows how producers can increase their profits while farming fewer acres.

Paly, an extension specialist in charge of agricultural programs with Ducks Unlimited Canada, said the Marginal Areas Program, (MAP) is a way to “Farm less, make more!”

She explains that, “It, (MAP) provides a financial incentive to seed those hard-to-access/poorly producing areas to a perennial forage Forages improve profitability, increase pollinator habitat and biodiversity, carbon storage, reduce herbicide-resistant weeds, and act as buffer zones to meet product label guidelines.

Whetter saline seeding in Manitoba.

(Charlotte Crawley/Ducks Unlimited Canada)

In April, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) officially expanded its Marginal Areas Program to Alberta. The program has been successfully offered in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the past number of years. Through the initiative, a financial incentive of $125 per acre is offered to growers for the conversation of annual cropped land to a forage or perennial species mixture.

After picture of marginal area in Manitoba.

(Charlotte Crawley/Ducks Unlimited Canada)

Along with the incentive, an additional bonus option is available for those who wish to increase pollinator habitat on their farm with a bonus pollinator-friendly seed pack. Participating producers have the option of sourcing forage seed from their retailer of choice or bundling Nutrien’s Echelon digital platform with the purchase of forage seed products.

Adoption of natural areas as a management practice was introduction on our farm numerous years ago. Our operation struggled with regions that demonstrated low production, retained excess moisture, and the continuation of annual cropping these regions were not economically. When we mixed forages within our annual cropped landscape this resulted in a reduction in mental stress, cost savings in crop inputs, and over-all a stronger return on investment.”

MAP was initially created for grain growers to trial the use of forages to address salinity and other agronomic challenges. Paly pointed out that, “Research shows that healthy landscapes that host mixed natural areas aid in biodiversity and safe spaces for pollinators. And more pollinators mean increased production of our crops.” Paly said participation has been positive to date with enrollment approximately half full in the targeted acres.