Northern Alberta family places long-term sustainability over short-term gain
It's a question a growing number of producers are asking today when it comes to water quality: what if something I'm doing on my operation could cause harm to myself, my family, my neighbours, or my community? Am I doing everything I can to make sure an accident doesn't happen, and if it does do I have sufficient records which show that I did everything I could to prevent it?
Count St. Paul, Alberta ranchers Andrew and Erin Yaremko among the producers who are asking those questions and following up with action. Using their Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) as a guideline, the Yaremkos have taken a number of steps to protect water quality on their second-generation cow-calf and stocker cattle operation.
Although some things they have done have driven short-term economic gain, Andrew Yaremko says their main focus is on the long-term sustainability of their operation. "We don't want to pass on something to our children that isn't financially or environmentally sustainable. We, or even our children, may never see a direct financial return on some of the stuff we're doing, but we know it will pay off in the long run. It doesn't always have to make you a dollar today."
Cattle and dugouts don't mix. Dugouts on the Yaremko property are fenced off to prevent cattle from having direct access to the water. Instead, the animals are watered via a solar-powered watering system. The Yaremkos have also taken a more strategic approach to the seasonal pasture management of their cattle. "We never used to put much thought into where we set up our wintering sites, but today we make sure they are placed where they will not present the risk of runoff into sensitive areas," says Andrew.
Secondary containment. This has become a common way to provide an extra level of protection against contamination from fuel, chemical and nutrient runoff. The Yaremkos use simple methods to ensure secondary containment. Chemicals that are stored are held in a tub intended to capture the product in the event of a leak or a spill. They have also built dikes around their wintering pens to capture runoff from manure. "None of the runoff from the pens makes it into the water," says Andrew.
Managing fuel. Some environmental improvements do not require an investment of money - sometimes all they require is a sacrifice of convenience. In the case of the Yaremko ranch, this has meant shutting off the valves on their fuel tanks. "We used to just leave them open because it was easier to get at the fuel when we needed it," says Andrew. "Now we make sure to shut them off when we're done fuelling. That way, in the event of a leak all the fuel would not drain onto the ground."
The Yaremkos' Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) has helped offer them direction on most of the above efforts and others as well. An EFP is a free, simple process that helps producers identify environmental strengths and risks on their farms and ranches. It also encourages record-keeping that helps producers prove due diligence in their management practices.
The Yaremkos consider their EFP a resource they will return to as they continue to improve their management practices. It has already laid the foundation for future planning. While designing their new house, for example, they decided to place their new well on higher ground than their septic system in order to avoid cross-contamination issues.
The value of an EFP extends beyond environmental considerations, says Andrew. It has helped them gain a knowledge of their operation that can be useful under a number of circumstances. "It helped us understand where our natural gas lines were buried. Not only can that help if you're trying to sell your property, but it helps firefighters know where to shut off your gas in the event of a fire."
The information on this website is available for reprint with credit to "The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan, www.albertaEFP.com".
Article development courtesy of The Alberta Environmental Farm Plan Company
