Eco-label program highlights benefits of winter wheat across Canada

A brand new eco-label program launched earlier this week is trying to deliver winter wheat to the forefront of conversations about sustainability.

Geese Limitless Canada, Cereals Canada and Prairie Wheat Winter Growers have partnered collectively for the Habitat-Pleasant Winter Wheat Eco-label Program.

“That is the primary eco-label of its form that demonstrates that winter wheat is definitely duck pleasant, or habitat pleasant, crop on the Canadian prairies,” mentioned communications and advertising lead for agricultural sustainability with Geese Limitless Canada, Karli Reimer.

Not like different crops, winter wheat is planted in September. It grows all through the autumn and makes use of the moisture from the snow. When spring comes the bottom doesn’t should be disturbed for seeding, making a spot for birds migrating again north to nest.

Reimer mentioned Geese Limitless Canada has performed in depth analysis on winter wheat. Within the 1970’s, they found that northern pintail duck populations have been on the decline resulting from habitat loss. They’re one in all many birds who go by the prairies every spring in search of a spot to nest.

“Our analysis really exhibits that geese that nest in winter wheat are 24 instances extra productive than those who nest in a spring zone cereal crop,” she mentioned.

The brand new program additionally advantages farmers. Gary Stanford farms close to Magrath, Alta. and can also be a delegate with the Alberta Wheat Fee.

Winter wheat runs deep in his blood, having grown it for greater than 40 years. He’s been an advocate for its sustainability for years, including that it improves his land high quality by stopping soil erosion from excessive winds and growing natural matter for future rotations.

“I’ve tried to work on this, on winter wheat, for 20 years and to see a program lastly come by — it’s very thrilling,” Stanford mentioned.

“That’s a variety of nesting grounds for waterfowl and upland recreation birds.

“It’s a spot for them to nest within the spring with out disturbing the soil.”

Director of market entry and commerce coverage with Cereals Canada, Daniel Ramage, mentioned customers have turn into extra conscious of what they’re shopping for when out grocery purchasing.

Having an eco-label on a product permits folks to buy with ease when trying to make extra sustainable selections.

“That’s what we’re actually happy with,” he mentioned. “By means of this program, we’ve created a chance that basically is a win-win.”

Les Moulins de Soulanges, a specialty flour mill in Quebec, and Beam Suntory from Alberta are the primary two processors to turn into a licensed eco-label companion. Ramage added that extra will probably be introduced quickly, as this system solely not too long ago launched.

“So when a shopper would go to a grocery retailer to buy one thing that’s fabricated from winter wheat, they’d see that ecolabel on there and so they can really feel assured that it was grown in a accountable approach and it’s a habitat pleasant possibility,” Reimer added.

Extra info on the Habitat-Pleasant Winter Wheat Ecolabel Program will be discovered by their web site by clicking here.