1. THE ROLE OF SOILS AND CLIMATE
FARMLAND LOCATION:
THE ROLE OF SOILS AND CLIMATE

2. Four factors determine the location of Canada’s farmlands
Climate system
Soil system
Biological system
Topographical system

3. CLIMATE: Important climate factors influencing location of farmland:
Amount and distribution of precipitation
most crops in Canada need a minimum of 400mm of precipitation yearly
areas of >400mm of precip land is more suited to grazing than growing crops
irrigation can be used in these areas (if enough water is available from rivers or lakes) to grow crops

4. CLIMATE: Growing Season
Growing season = the number of days in the year with an average temperature over 6C (at this temp plants begin to grow)
certain crops can only be grown in regions where the growing season is long enough (i.e. growing season for wheat in the prairies is <100 days, whereas soybeans or corn require >150 days = no corn or soybeans in the prairies)

5. CLIMATE:
Growing Degree-Days (GDD) are calculated when the average daily temp rises above 6C
One degree day is counted for each degree over 6C (i.e. a day with a temperature of 16C is counted as 10 degree days; 16 – 6 = 10)
Figure 24-2 (pg 293) in the text shows a thematic map of the degree days in Canada

6. SOILS:
Complex substance formed of minerals, water, air, and humus (decaying organic matter)
Humus is the most important factor in soil fertility
Amount is determined by the amount of moisture and plant growth

7. SOILS:
There are 2 major groups of agricultural soils in Canada which include:
Forest soils – if formed under deciduous or mixed forests it is more fertile than if formed under coniferous forests.
Grassland soils – are of a higher natural fertility than forest soils.

8. Biology: Some organisms are very beneficial to farming:
Earthworms – improve air movement through soil
Bees for pollination
Other organisms are harmful and destructive:
Weeds
Pests

9. Topography: Level, well-drained land is generally best for farming
Fertile valleys (Annapolis Valley in NS) and deltas (Fraser River delta in BC) are highly productive
Mountainous or hilly areas tend to loose soil through erosion and are less productive
Flat, sandy areas with high water tables are also less productive because it is too wet

11. Issues facing Canadian Farmers
Issue #1 The business of farming
The hours are long and irregular (16 hour work days in spring and harvest time, almost no work in the winter)
No guaranteed pay
No retirement fund
No subsidies, low prices force farmers off farm
Large, corporate farms drive smaller, family owned farms out of business.

12. Issue #2 Erosion
Farmers till the soil to prepare it for planting, to weed their crop, and prepare field for winter.
Tilling causes soil to be eroded by wind and water

13. Issue #3 Contamination Fertilizers and Pesticides
a) Fertilizer Use
Fertilizer is plant food
It’s sprayed to improve crop growth
”Eutrification” means “to add nutrients”
If it rains, it can run off into surface water (or it can blow onto water if sprayed too close)

14. Issue #4 Urban sprawl, encroaching on farm land