Lake Erie Soil Health Conference 2018
February 15, 2018 | SCRCA Stewardship Team
On February 15, 2018 the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority co-hosted the 2018 Lake Erie Soil Health Conference with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority. The conference was held in Chatham and attracted over 180 participants. The conference offered farmers an opportunity to hear the latest findings from experts across North America as well as the practical experiences of local farmers on a variety of soil health topics.
Support for the conference was provided in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and 12 sponsor organizations.
Soil health experts from across North America attended and shared their research and experiences with rural best management practices (BMPs), phosphorus control, soil testing, and the economics of soil loss through erosion.
Panel discussions led by 14 local farmers covered a range of topics including reduced tillage practices, cover crops and erosion control methods.
A key message stemming from the conference was that there is no single answer to improving soil management and nutrient loss in agricultural areas — it takes a combination of Best Management Practices that will change from farm-to-farm and even year-to-year.
Presentations
Researchers and local farmers shared their latest findings and experiences on a variety of soil health topics.
Make Your Soil Smoke—Cover Crops, Drainage, Earthworms and More!
- Frank Gibbs, Wetland and Soil Consulting Services, LLC
- Gibbs worked for the USDA in Ohio for 36 years and will speak on BMPs in hydric soils.
Soil Degradation—The Cost to Agriculture and the Economy
- Dr. David Lobb, University of Manitoba
- Dr. Lobb shared on the economics of soil loss through wind, water and tillage erosion.
Phosphorus Primer
- Dr. Ivan O’Halloran, University of Guelph
- Dr. O’Halloran’s research focus is primarily in the area of soil fertility management and land stewardship.
Managing Microbes: Mycorrhizal Fungi in Cropping Systems
- Dr. Wendy Taheri, Terra Nimbus
- Dr. Taheri is a specialist in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) & plant growth.
4R Nutrient Stewardship
- Dale Cowan, AGRIS and Wanstead Cooperatives
- Senior agronomist and sales manager, 4R Nutrient Stewardship Specialist, 2016 International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year.
In the Field Soil Health Tests
- Anne Verhallen, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Anne specializes in cover crops, soil health, and soil quality.
Farmer-led Discussion Panels
- Reduced Tillage with Doug Patterson and Earl Elgie
- Cover Crop and Rotational Grazing with Mike Buis and Tim Lehrbass
- Erosion Control Methods with Brad Glasman, Dave MacKellar, and Steve Sauder
- Soil Stewards on Big Acres with Bob Kerr and Mike Strang
- Bio Strips and Planting Green with Dave McEachren, Mike Belan, and Tyler Papple
- Making Interseeding Work with Matt Smyth and Woody Van Arkel