Funny thing about our value system. I wonder how much warring and unrest there would be in the world if we put the same value on the soil as we do on such things as oil, automobiles and the places where we spend our leisure activities. Maybe it's a good thing the soil isn't valued as such. If it were, we would certainly be literally under the gun to defend our world class soil. Given the droughts of the late eighties, the degraded state of most prairie soils and the growth of soil conservation programs you would think the health of the soil would be a top priority for policy makers and producers.
Recent events prove otherwise.
Last years excessive spring moisture situation in the North and East areas of Saskatchewan coupled with an open fall prompted many farmers to work down their stubble. Many were trying to open up the soil for the purpose of making it dry out sooner in the spring. Some felt they couldn't seed through the residues left after a heavy crop. Others simply had extra time on their hands and it sure was fun to spend a nice fall day on the tractor out in the field. Unfortunately these activities contribute to soil degradation.