Organic Farming in Central Alberta: Current Trends, Production Constraints and Research Needs

An estimated one-third of organic farmers in Alberta are located within a 150 km radius of Edmonton, a commercial center with a population of close to one million. A random sample of these producers were administered and an in-depth survey in 2002 to obtain knowledge of their crop and commodity selection practices, land usage, fertility management, perceived research needs and recognized constraints to sector viability. The study area contained a 4-fold greater proportion of land cropped to cereals (40%) and double the proportion of farms raising organic cattle (45%), but had less than half the amount of pasture and forage land (35%) than the province as a whole. Albertan organic farmers felt they were constrained by markets, soil fertility, weeds, and production costs. They would like to see more research focused on improving and protecting soil productivity, developing profitable and sustainable crop rotations, identifying alternative livestock vaccines and feed supplements, and comparing organic and conventional farming systems. Overcoming challenges facing this emerging sector will require the combined assistance of government, industry and research sectors.