Investing in Technology to Help Farmers Manage Risk

The agriculture and agri-food sector is a key contributor to the Canadian economy and the Government of Canada is committed to working with private sector partners in developing new risk management tools that help farmers manage risk

Member of Parliament for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell, Francis Drouin, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, was in Winchester today to announce a $997,654 investment for the South Nation Conservation Authority to develop a hydrologic model that will provide farmers with real-time weather and water information to help inform water management decisions.

“Helping farmers be better informed in making their water management decisions is good for the sector’s sustainable growth, good for farmers’ bottom lines, and good for the Canadian economy”

 

South Nation Conservation is an agency established under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario in 1947. It is one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities, with the mandate to protect and restore regional ecosystems. The authority manages 4,384 km2 of land in Eastern Ontario.

“Our Government recognizes that Canadian farmers face risk every day in managing their businesses,” Drouin said. “This investment is all about giving farmers the tools they need to adjust their farms to a changing climate. Helping farmers be better informed in making their water management decisions is good for the sector’s sustainable growth, good for farmers’ bottom lines, and good for the Canadian economy.”

The 15-month project will construct an integrated groundwater – surface water forecasting model for the South Nation Watershed using “HydroGeoSphere”, which is a Canadian hydrologic simulator that predicts water movement on and through the ground.

“We’re pleased to have this opportunity to develop state-of-the-art technology in predictive modelling,” added Doug Thompson, SNC Past Chair. “This tool will enhance SNC’s Flood Forecasting and Warning and Low Water Response programs. Supplying the model with real-time data strengthens the reliability of the forecasted watershed conditions and allows SNC to provide advance notice for flood events and drought so farmers can prepare accordingly.”

The platform will become a support to help guide producers’ with water management practices by predicting water events and providing an array of potential mitigation practices.

The AgriRisk Program supports the research and development as well as the implementation and administration of new risk management tools for use in the agriculture sector.