Environmental concerns and EFPs drive new generation of interest among farmers
If a person wants to rattle a typical group of producers today, it doesn't take much more than to show them a field full of blowing soil. To get them really excited, tell them they can save up to 30 percent on their heating bill.
Those are just a couple of reasons why Doug Macaulay, a woodlot and agroforestry specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Food (AF), says his job has rarely been easier than it is today, at least when it comes to promoting the value of shelterbelts among producers.
"There is little doubt that the agricultural world today is showing renewed enthusiasm for shelterbelts as part of the farming process," he says. "The problem is that enthusiasm can quickly turn to frustration when producers discover the management challenges involved in shelterbelts — challenges that can develop into a time consuming, logistical nightmare if good management processes are not put in place from the outset."
That's the key message Macaulay tries to convey to producers when discussing shelterbelts. "Shelterbelts have the potential to return value far beyond the initial investment of money, time and labour — not just over the life of the farm operation but for generations afterwards," he says.
"However, they also require good planning and good process to be most effective. And that means, first and foremost, having a basic knowledge of the different kinds of shelterbelt options and deciding which kind is best for themselves and their farm. One of the simplest ways to do this is to develop an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)," says Macaulay, who serves as a technical assistant (TA) to the EFP program in Alberta.
A shelterbelt is a line of trees along a field, farmstead or fenceline. They can either be developed or natural stands, with the latter often referred to as "woodlots." The fundamental role of shelterbelts is to protect land and livestock from the elements. It may sound like a simple concept, but it's one that drives a number of benefits that run the gamut of efficiency on a farm operation.
"Shelterbelts create their own 'micro-climate' that conserves soil and moisture while minimizing the effects of wind and snow," says Macaulay. "They also provide a habitat which allows species that control pests to grow and thrive."They can also play a role in protecting physical structures such as driveways and roadways. "And their potential for home energy consumption is substantial. A study conducted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada – Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (AAFC – PFRA) found that shelterbelts can help save up to 30 percent in heating costs. With the cost of natural gas today, that definitely plays a strong role in convincing producers of the value of shelterbelts."
The aesthetic value of shelterbelts can even have an impact on land value. "Well maintained shelterbelts hold a lot of appeal for buyers. These structures hold strong potential to increase the value of farmland."
While high in potential value, shelterbelts can also take a lot of work. From the decisions involved at the beginning of the development process to the ongoing maintenance of developed or growing structures, shelterbelts require attention to detail and a management plan that takes into account both immediate and future needs.
"The important thing to remember is that shelterbelts take time," says Macaulay. "You can't just decide to plant a shelterbelt and expect to have it fully working the next day — it needs time to grow and that process can take several years.
"That's why you need to make certain strategic decisions from the outset. These include the kind of trees you're going to plant, their spacing and the number of rows you're going to use. Even the shape of the shelterbelt plays a crucial role. Ultimately, it's a decision about what's best for yourself and your farm."
Technical support can play a large role in helping producers make these decisions. "Woodlot and agroforestry specialists with AF or the AAFC – PFRA Prairie Shelterbelt Program have the tools available to assess the environmental impacts on the farm and a working knowledge of the systems that work best within the region," says Macaulay.
A major thing to consider is the amount of time and money a producer is willing to commit to managing shelterbelts. "For example, you may need to water the trees, so there's a question of how to get the water out to them," he says. "Do you run an irrigation line and move it until the entire shelterbelt is soaked down? Or do you get a water truck out there and water each individual one by hand?
"Weed control is another issue. If you have a lot of problems with weeds, you will want to look at using plastic mulch, applying herbicide or cultivating the year before planting the shelterbelt. If you wait to apply herbicide until after the trees are planted, it has the potential to kill the trees."
Having a shelterbelt may also mean changes to farm practices. Drifting spray from herbicides applied in fields, for example, is a major threat to the health of existing shelterbelts. "To minimize drift, you may want to consider changing to a low-drift nozzle or attaching a hood to your sprayer," says Macaulay.
A common question producers are asking today regards the benefits of single versus multiple row shelterbelts. Multiple rows generally offer the kind of protection most producers are looking for, says Macaulay. Single-row shelterbelts can offer a degree of protection but often come with some disadvantages.
"A lot of guys plant a single row of hybrid poplars as a shelterbelt, for example. While that can provide a workable shelterbelt, the problem is that hybrid poplars don't have any leaves in the wintertime so they're not very effective for blocking wind and snow. They're also quite short-lived."
Macaulay generally recommends a three-tiered shelterbelt design consisting of small shrubs, fast-growing species such as hybrid poplars, and spruce or pine trees. "The first row on the windward side should always be a smaller shrub. Because they're low to the ground, these can 'catch' the wind that would otherwise go right under the branches of the other trees."
The next row should be a fast-establishing species. "This is where hybrid poplars can play a role," he says. "Because they tend to grow faster than spruce or pine trees, which should make up the third and final row, they provide a level of protection while the pines and spruces are still establishing.
"Even though the hybrid poplars tend to die within 25-30 years, by that time the back row of spruce or pine trees will be substantial enough to take their place."
Another common question involves the merits of curved, or wavy, shelterbelts versus straight shelterbelts. Although curved shelterbelts generally offer better protection from the wind, Macaulay says both have advantages and disadvantages, with the ultimate deciding factor coming down to the needs of the producer and the farm.
One of the biggest considerations when making this decision is space. "Curved shelterbelts generally take up more space, which could mean more land taken out of production. It's a matter of how much a producer is willing to invest."
Another major consideration is how the shelterbelt will affect farming practices. "Straight shelterbelts are generally easier to farm around, while curved shelterbelts can result in a curvy swath, which not everybody likes," says Macaulay.
At the same time, curved shelterbelts often follow the contours of the land better than straight shelterbelts. "They just work better with Mother Nature in a number of cases," he says. "Creeks, rivers, hills and ridges usually don't usually follow straight lines, so curved shelterbelts may work as better fits in those situations."
Information and assistance on shelterbelt management, as well as a number of other on-farm environmental practices, is available through a strong network of technical assistants (TAs). Contact the local EFP facilitator or call the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company (AEFP) toll-free line in Alberta at 1-866-844-2337 for information on TAs in your area. For general information on the EFP program, visit the AEFP Web site at www.AlbertaEFP.com.
The AAFC – PFRA Prairie Shelterbelt Program provides trees and shrubs free of charge to Prairie farmers. Call (306) 695-2284 or visit the AAFC - PFRA Shelterbelt Program Web site at www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/shelterbelt.htm for more information.
This article is reprintable with credit to AEFP as follows "Reprinted courtesy of the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company; www.albertaEFP.com".
