Endeavour Green

Introduction

Respecting the land  We believe that the first nations perspective is very important and it was a big influence on our decision on how to make our farm more sustainable.  The land is important and should be treated with respect and that is why we are using cattle and green manure to naturally fertilize the ground.

GM Canola  82% of the rapeseed crops planted in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan are genetically modified canola varieties and they are herbicide tolerant.  There is overall better returns and profits.  Growers reported 10% increase in yield

Herbicide  Herbicide tolerance otherwise known as herbicide resistance is most commonly used as a genetically modified trait in commercial agriculture. To make a crop resist a particular herbicide you can give the crop a new gene or switch off an existing gene.  In conventional agriculture most herbicides used are selective, meaning they only target certain plants. For each crop a specific combination of selective herbicides are needed.  There are two herbicide systems currently in use, Roundup Ready and Liberty Link.

Genetically Modified Organisms  GMOS are genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.  They use different sources of DNA molecules which are combined into one molecule to create a new set of genes.  GM canola may not be grown in any of the countries banning GMOS.

Major GM Canola Problem  With us living in the prairies, there is high winds, causing the seeds to be picked up by the wind which spreads it into other farms and ecosystems  Since not all farms are GM canola based, it becomes legal controversy

Legal Problems  To grow GM canola you need to have 1. A license, and 2. Buy the certain seeds.  When the seeds from a GM based farm spread into a normal canola field, It causes problems with selling that farmers crop  Not everyone accepts GM canola, and even if your crop has just a small percentage of GM seeds in it from airborne spread, they will not accept it.  This means that if this happens an extreme loss in profit can occur.

Opposite scenario  If the normal canola seed is spread into the GM canola field, it doesn’t affect their selling market at all. They can just easily gain from it, since it means they have more product on their land.  This is what causes a lot of controversy between farmers, One side gains from windblown seed, and another can lose a lot.

Our solution for this problem  We decided to leave 50 meters around the whole perimeter of the field, Leaving spaces for the airborne seeds to land.  This way the seeds won’t spread into other farmers land causing legal problems for us.  In attempt to use the land as wisely as we can, and not waste any. This land is then used for the cattle to roam.  The land is kept as normal vegetation as well, for the cows to eat.

Our land

 Our plan is to use cattle to fertilize the land with a healthier impact compared to fertilizer.  On our 1000 acre farm the cattle will graze 500 acres of it putting nutrients back into the land. Then we will rotate every year or two depending on the changes that have occurred.  This will help prevent disease forming Cattle

Caring For Cattle  To get the most use of cattle it is very important to have healthy cattle.  Some easy ways to keep them healthy is to change their bedding which costs about $ $0.50 a day, this keeps them clean.  Making sure the manure does not over pollute the area.

Green Manure  Non-legumes are like other green manures like buckwheat oats and ryegrass  Type of rye called winter rye which can grow in the coldest zones and ready for spring  Some advantages are it helps crops fight the growth of weeds

Green Manure  They tend to be vigorous plants and they out complete weeds and effectively displace there ecological niche  The root mass loosens and aerates the soil, which improves the soils structure  They provide a habitat for pollinators and insects.

Reducing Costs  Part of the canola grown on the land can be turned into biodiesel and used as a fuel for all of the machinery.  We are using biodiesel to power our machinery because it is a more cost efficient and economically friendly option.  When the cattle are reaching the end of their age we will sell them for beef.

Income and Costs Our solutionRegular way of farming Total gross income243,000217,000 Average bushels per acre 2825 Gas Prices$300 a day*$500 a day Cost$86,950 + interest87,150 + interest Estimated total income $156,050129, All costs are approximate.*Cost of biodiesel

Biodiesel  Biodiesel is a clean-burning, biodegradable, and renewable fuel made from a variety of feed stocks including canola and soy oils, animal fats, recycled cooking oils and restaurant grease.  Biodiesel fuel is processed and refined from raw materials with high oil content.

Biodiesel and You  Biodiesel reduces harmful greenhouse gases, smog-causing particles, and acid-rain causing emissions.  It also offers a major economic advantage over other non-renewable energy sources  Engines that currently run on petroleum diesel heavy equipment, long haul trucks and farm machinery require no modification to run on biodiesel.