Episode
69

Climate Resiliency – with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

January 25, 2023
|
Duration:
1415604
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In This Episode:

Join energy coaches David Arkell and John Pooley with guests from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Jesse MacDonald, Kirsten Hannam, and Elizabeth Houghton on an episode all about climate resiliency. This episode features what climate resiliency is, the researcher's perspective, current programs and initiatives, and more. Presentation by AAFC research scientists Kirsten Hannam and Jesse MacDonald © His Majesty the King 2022, licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0. Elizabeth’s research was supported by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative, and delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC.

Highlights

  • Climate Resilience Defined: In agriculture, climate resilience refers to the ability of farming systems to withstand extreme climate events, such as heat waves and droughts, while maintaining production with minimal disruption.
  • The Climate Resilience Toolbox: A toolkit for tree fruit growers includes strategies like calcium carbonate sprays to prevent sunburn on apples and selecting rootstocks that enhance water transport in trees to manage climate stress.
  • Water Conservation Techniques: Transitioning from overhead to drip irrigation and using organic amendments like compost improve water efficiency and soil moisture retention, particularly in drought-prone regions like British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.
  • Post-Harvest Deficit Irrigation: Research on sweet cherries indicates that reducing water use after harvest conserves resources without affecting future yields, offering a model for other high-water-demand crops.
  • Community and Knowledge Sharing: Collaboration between researchers and local growers ensures that resilience practices are tailored to specific crops and regional needs, enhancing agricultural resilience at the community level.
  • Key Insights

    • Resiliency is Immediate: Climate change is already impacting agriculture, making resiliency measures essential today. Events like British Columbia’s heat dome illustrate the immediate need to address crop yield and quality challenges.
    • Multiscale Adaptation Needs: Effective climate adaptation requires addressing both short-term needs, such as irrigation techniques, and long-term resilience, like selecting climate-tolerant crop varieties.
    • Balancing Productivity with Resilience: While dwarf apple trees are favored for their high yields and low labor demands, larger rootstocks may be necessary to improve water transport capabilities under climate stress.
    • Cross-Region Agricultural Research: Local research centers, such as those in Summerland and Agassiz, focus on region-specific crops, ensuring adaptation strategies are tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of each area.
    • Collaboration Enhances Impact: Close partnerships between researchers and farmers foster the development of adaptive practices, strengthening crop resilience and contributing to long-term food security and sustainability.
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