Today's Solutions to Environmental

- - Concerns Need to be Innovative and Economically Viable - -

BC SPFG CARES enough to research, understand, and educate farmers about viable environmental solutions!

Poultry Farmers CARE enough to make practical solutions happen on their farm!

We recognize environmental stewardship is important and our aim is to make sure it happens through:

-Conducting applied research projects for farmers that promote an innovative, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable poultry industry
-Determining where threats may exist from improper farm waste management practices
-Advising farmers on best agricultural waste management practices
-Providing on-going educational services so that farmers are aware of available technologies that can make their farms environmentally friendly.

- Stewardship Programs -

Environmental Protection Plan

The especially sensitive area and receiving environment which lie over south Abbotsford groundwater (Abbotsford Aquifer) has placed increased demands on poultry farmers in the area. The potential exists for increased nitrate levels in groundwater when manure is over-applied to the land. The SPFG and poultry farmers have responded with the Environmental Protection Program. The EPP is a producer driven initiative that allows for excess manure to be transported away from the Abbotsford Aquifer so as to reduce the risk of manure over-application to the land.

Advising Farmers on Best Agricultural Waste Management Practices

An important part of the SPFG work is to keep producers environmentally informed. Farm visits are made to help producers make sure their farm meets today's standards. As well, the SPFG is intimately involved in devising and coordinating innovative on-farm and industry-wide environmentally friendly, waste management strategies.

Innovation is Part of the SPFG Program

Today's farming requires refinement of machinery and equipment to meet high environmental standards and produce cost-effective solutions. The SPFG conducts applied research into these areas so that in the future, better environmental technology will be available. This equipment will optimize the value of manure as a fertilizer and soil amendment, reduce over-application, and ultimately increase conservation options to farmers.

Improving Our Soil Resources

Modern intensive crop production can seriously deplete soil quality when conservation methods are not used. The SPFG has programs that help to alleviate this problem through making manure available to crop farms. Regular application of poultry manure helps to maintain and improve soils where depletion is occurring.

 
Research into soil, air, and water quality issues and manure management technologies and practices is important to the SPFG. Frequently, we work with Agriculture Canada , U.B.C. and others to provide adequate resources necessary to answer complicated research questions.

-- Our Partners --

SPFG Partnerships include:

B.C. Chicken Marketing Board

B.C. Chicken Growers' Assn.

B.C. Broiler Hatching Egg Commission B.C. Broiler Hatching Egg Prod. Assn.

B.C. Turkey Marketing Board

B.C. Turkey Producers' Assn.

B.C. Egg Marketing Board

F.V. Egg Producers' Assn.

B.C. Ministry of Agriculture & Lands

Agriculture Canada

Environment Canada

University of British Columbia

-- Our Contributors --

Provincial and Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Environment

Fraser Valley Poultry Producers

Poultry Industry Allied Trades

For further information , or to view a video on SPFG activities, please call the SPFG office.