Jim Halford
Jim Halford didn't set out to revolutionize the way crops are seeded in Saskatchewan. Nevertheless, he has been a big part of the rapid adoption of low till and zero till seeding, which has a number of environmental benefits.
Zero till is the technique of producing a crop by seeding directly into the standing stubble of the previous crop. Keeping the plant residues and minimizing soil disturbance has many environmental benefits.
Like many innovative Saskatchewan farmers, Halford set about to solve a practical farm problem in his own shop. After completing two degrees in agriculture and returning to the family farm he became concerned about wind and water erosion, declining soil fertility, and increasing soil salinity. He believed that traditional intensive tillage crop production practices caused many of these problems.
Jim began examining alternative tillage systems and soon concluded that zero till held the most promise. A major obstacle to making the system work was the lack of equipment that would effectively place seed and fertilizer into unworked soil.
Determined to make this system work, Jim began to design and test various types of 'openers' through which seed and fertilizer are deposited into the soil. He also began to develop weed control techniques utilizing crop rotations, crop and environmental competition, and judicious use of herbicides.
What evolved is the Conservapak commercial zero till system now being marketed in Canada, the USA, Australia, and Germany.
Jim has always been eager to share his vision and knowledge of zero till with others. His enthusiasm has done much to inspire others to engage in research, development and adoption of this technology. His involvement with the Manitoba - North Dakota Zero Till Association was the springboard for the establishment of the Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association. As well, in 1993, Jim was instrumental in establishing the Indian Head Agricultural Research Foundation to undertake research in zero till.
Zero tillage is now a proven, practical technology and there are many benefits for agriculture and the natural environment:
- The protective cover of standing stubble and crop residue on the soil surface, between harvest and the next seeding virtually eliminates wind and water erosion.
- The use of pesticides and fertilizer gradually declines in a zero till system.
- The buildup of organic matter in the soil enhances fertility and acts as a carbon sink, offsetting carbon emissions.
- The improved soil structure improves the infiltration of rain and snowmelt and reduces water runoff.
- Fertilizer is placed to allow germinating seedlings to most efficiently use the nutrients.
- By reducing crop production to one soil-working operation, there is a reduction of fuel consumption on the farm in the range of 40% to 60%. This also means less air pollution.
Halford has received numerous awards including being named to the Canadian Conservation Hall of Fame in 2000. He has also demonstrated the long-term benefits on his own farm near Indian Head where he produces wheat, peas, canola, and forage on 970 ha (2,400 acres). See the Conservapak web site for a picture of the effects on the soil profile.
Based on submission by Beth Halford