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Growing Organic Small Grains in South Coastal BC: Comparing Protein Concentrations in Wheat and Barley

The Vancouver Island and south coast regions of British Columbia (BC) have mild temperatures suitable for the planting of cereals as a spring crop. The potential of these crops have not been well studied in this area, though in one Canadian study maximum yields were higher on organic farms than…

Good Roots: Understanding the Differences Between Heirloom and Commercial Wheat and Barley Roots

The architecture of a plant’s root system has a strong impact on crop performance, and understanding the root structure is important for both plant breeders and farmers. Root architecture affects drought tolerance, nutrient and water uptake, and tolerance to mineral toxicity. For example, wheat and…

Growing Organic Small Grains in South Coastal BC: Comparing Heirloom and Commercial Cultivars

Nearly 65 per cent of Canada’s 3,500 organic farms grow cereal crops, including mainly wheat and barley as well as legumes and oilseed crops. The demand for organic small grains is increasing, but one of the challenges in meeting this demand is attributed to the lower yields in organically managed…

Barley–Pea Intercropping: Growing Crops Together to Improve Land Productivity

Growing barley as the sole crop in a field has impacts on land productivity by decreasing soil carbon and nitrogen. Sustainable nitrogen management is challenging due to the increasing cost of nitrogen fertilizers, the emission of nitrous oxide, and the potential of nitrates contaminating both…

Moo-ve over: Reducing negative effects of livestock grazing near streams in cutblocks

This study looked at the use of logging debris as a deterrent for cattle grazing near waterways in order to reduce negative effects on plant biodiversity.Riparian zones are important ecosystems that provide multiple benefits including moderating stream temperatures, providing shade for fish and the…

Farmland Hedgerows: Hedgerow Benefits and the Delta, BC Hedgerow Project

Hedgerows are trees, shrubs and grasses bordering the edges of farm fields. These areas provide numerous agricultural and environmental benefits. It is for these benefits that farmers in the lower Fraser River Delta have been planting hedgerows since 1995 with the support of the Delta Farmland…

KPU Southwest British Columbia Small-Scale Farm Enterprise 2015 Budget: Goat Meat

This enterprise budget presents costs and returns for a 20 does small-scale farm in southwest British Columbia, Canada.

KPU Southwest British Columbia Small-Scale Farm Enterprise Budget 2015: Lamb

This enterprise budget presents costs and returns for a 20 ewe small-scale farm in southwest British Columbia, Canada.