Let’s Take a Moment to Look at Drainage Management in a Different Way

Farmers understand. We have a 90-day growing season and when opportunity presents itself, we take time to enjoy the summer and head to the lake with friends and family. Water quality is important. So is soil health, resilient food production, supporting our local communities and doing our job better, every single day.

Let’s dig into some of the misconceptions that have repeatedly presented themselves in various opinion articles as of late. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but it is also important to remain fact based.

1. Drainage is a BAD word… BUT REALLY IT IS NOT:

 

2. CLARIFICATION – There is a difference between “wet land” and “wetlands”.

 

3. Farmers want to drain all the water and we are losing all of our wetlands – THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS:

 

 

This is the AG Zone, a well managed productive field typical of our SK agriculture landscape.

 

4. Agriculture is responsible for water quality issues in our lakes (that we all like to swim in) – LET’S DISCUSS AND LEARN MORE.

 

5. We have identified the water quality “hot spots”, point source and non-point sources for water quality issues in the province – RESEARCH CONTINUES:

 

6. The new AG Water Stewardship (Wetland) Policy consultations were not inclusive – THIS IS SIMPLY NOT THE CASE: 

 

7. It’s all about business – farmers have little regard for the environment. NOT AT ALL:

 

Drainage management is a complex issue, but it does not have to be so complicated and divisive. Be curious to learn more about the other side of the story. We have invited many officials, conservation groups, researchers and individuals to join us in the field for water management tours. Some have accepted, some have declined.

Collaboration is required to reduce complexity, find common ground and implement practical and sustainable solutions.

We can all do better. Innovative and responsible water management will support soil health, resilient crop production, healthy working landscapes…  and family time at the lake.