Canadian farmers use fewer chemicals than their counterparts in other countries. As farmers, we must complete pesticide certification courses and pass an exam on handling pesticides before we are even permitted to purchase, let alone apply, these products. Farmers continuously look at and support research that help us develop different ways to provide our consumers with safe, wholesome food. After all, our families consume the same food products as everyone else. I like to think of farming as the original recycling program.
Animals produce manure, which is spread on the land to help grow crops.
Animals eat the crops and the cycle continues. Our goal is to manage that cycle responsibly. On our family farm, we have had a liquid manure system for almost 30 years. We work with our crop advisor, do soil tests, periodic manure tests for nutrient value to ensure our nutrients are matched to our crop requirements. Farmers are subject to provincial legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act and the Water Resources Act and can be prosecuted just like anyone else proven to have contaminated a water source.