Ontario Grain Farmer April/May 2021

ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 11 APRIL/MAY 2021 Direct Energy 7% Fertilizer Manufacturing 16% Seeds & Pesticides 2% N20 Emissions 52% ∆ Soil Carbon 23% CORN Determining the carbon footprint of crop production requires information on crop performance, production practices, crop inputs, soil, and climate parameters. Direct Energy 7% Fertilizer Manufacturing 3% Seeds & Pesticides… N20 Emissions 41% ∆ Soil Carbon 44% SOYBEANS Direct Energy 4% Fertilizer Manufacturing 14% Seeds & Pesticides 6% N20 Emissions 50% ∆ Soil Carbon 26% WHEAT General Mills has committed to reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent across its full value chain. ONTARIO’S CROP CARBON FOOTPRINT The CRSC has produced carbon footprints that reflect the production of barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat in Ontario. Corn — Breaking down the carbon footprint in corn production, 75 per cent of GHGs emitted are from soil carbon (23%) and N 2 O emissions (52%). The remaining carbon impact is seen from direct energy at seven per cent, fertilizer manufacturing resulting in 16 per cent, and seed and pesticide manufacturing with two per cent of the total footprint. Soybeans — Breaking down the carbon footprint in soybean production, soil carbon (44%) and N 2 O emissions (41%) cumulatively account for 85 per cent of the total carbon footprint of soybeans. The remaining 15 per cent of carbon impact is direct energy, fertilizer manufacturing, and seed and pesticide manufacturing. Wheat — Breaking down the carbon footprint in wheat production, soil carbon (26%) and N 2 O emissions (50%) cumulatively account for 76 per cent of the total carbon footprint of wheat. The remaining 24 per cent of carbon impact is direct energy, fertilizer manufacturing, and seed and pesticide manufacturing. HOW ARE WE IMPROVING? While farmers are not directly responsible for all emissions within the carbon footprint, we do have potential control over certain practices and processes. As an organization, Grain Farmers of Ontario is working on many initiatives that all work towards improvement. Long term investments in research in agronomy, including soil health, cover crops and crop rotation, assist in improving on-farm profitability and our GHG footprint. Other initiatives such as the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program are also working towards improving nutrient use efficiency and reducing our environmental footprints. Individual farmer practices and evolution in tillage and technology such as nitrogen inhibitors are all areas that help tell our story. While there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, there is a suite of things we are working on to better tell our carbon footprint story and show these measurable improvements. Whether corn used in ethanol, wheat used in bread, or soybeans used in vegetable oils, there is a story behind these products and their footprint. Consumers and market demands are beginning to ask more about individual products and the sustainability behind them. The added level of transparency that crop carbon footprints can provide will help shape our story and provide customers and markets with information on how our crops are produced. With practices and research in the areas of soil health and the 4Rs, we are positioning ourselves well to better understand our impacts but also show measurable improvements both economically and environmentally. Michael Buttenham is the sustainability and environment coordinator for Grain Farmers of Ontario. l