Northern Alberta Agvisor, July 3, 2023

9LocationsinAlberta

NORTHERNALBERTA

(780)979-0325 Holden,AB (780)385-8819

Westlock,AB (780)350-8916 GrandePrairie,AB (780)512-4705

StPaul,AB (780)787-0129

SOUTHERNALBERTA

Torrington,AB (403)559-6059 Drumhellar,AB (403)361-0490

MedicineHat,AB (403)525-4247

Lethbridge,AB (403)758-3147

prAGmatic: HOW SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION feeds the world

ARE CONSUMERS PREPARED TO PAY FOR SUSTAINABILITY?

Don’t poop in the water!

That’s what society says to a ranching family that has been herding their cattle through a stream for over a century.

“OK” says the rancher. “I’ll fence off the creek, drill wells and install water systems.”

“Oh, by the way, it’s going to cost about $50,000 to do this. Who do I send the bill to? Or will I get more money for my beef because I done the “sustainable” thing?”, asks the rancher.

As the world grapples with the urgent need to address environmental concerns, farmers are finding themselves under increasing pressure to modify their practices and adopt new technologies to promote sustainability in agriculture. However, a significant question arises: who will bear the financial burden of these changes?

This article delves into the dilemma faced by farmers and explores whether consumers are truly willing to invest their money in supporting sustainable agriculture.

The Challenge for Farmers:

Farmers often face resistance and financial strain when asked to adopt more sustainable methods or integrate new technologies. Consider additional costs of air seeders and sprayers equipped with sectional shut off, variable rate capability or turn compensation. The cost of such modifications can be significant, placing an added burden on the already slim margins of farmers.

The question of who should pay for these changes is crucial. While society benefits from sustainable practices, farmers bear the immediate financial consequences. Is the cost to be borne by the farmer, the government or passed onto consumers?

Consumer Willingness to Invest

To achieve true sustainability in agriculture, consumers need to actively support farmers by choosing sustainable products and being willing to pay a premium for them. However, the willingness of consumers to back their sustainability rhetoric with their wallets is still uncertain. While surveys often show that consumers prioritize sustainable practices, their actions at the checkout counter may not align with their stated values.

Creating a Sustainability Index

One proposed solution is the implementation of a sustainability index

on packaged food products. Such an index would provide consumers with information about the environmental impact of the food they purchase, enabling them to make more informed choices. Would a sustainability index on a package of pasta be better than having a nonsensical non-GMO label on the item? And would consumers pay $.50 more for a spaghetti with a sustainability index of 89 verses one at 53?

Would consumers truly walk the talk?

Potential Benefits for Farmers

The introduction of a sustainability index could have positive implications for farmers and ranchers. A higher sustainability index on their products could potentially command a higher price, providing financial incentives to adopt sustainable practices. This could help offset the costs of implementing environmental improvements, such as erecting fences or drilling wells, and encourage broaderadoptionofsustainable methods throughout the agricultural sector.

Conclusion

The quest for sustainable agriculture necessitates changes in farming practices, often at a considerable financial cost to farmers.

The question of who should bear this burden remains complex. While consumers express support for sustainable agriculture, their willingness to pay a premium for sustainable products is uncertain. Implementing a sustainability index on packaged food may help bridge this gap, potentially driving consumer behavior and rewarding farmers for their sustainable practices. However, further research and evaluation are needed to determine the effectiveness of such initiatives in ensuring a fair distribution of the costs associated with sustainable agriculture.

Robert Saik is a professional agrologist and certified agriculture consultant.HeisanauthorofFOOD5.0and

The Agriculture Manifesto and CEO, of AGvisorPRO an app that connects thoseseekingagricultureadvicewith experts who provide answers. You can reach Rob by downloading and connectingtohimonAGvisorPRO

Pre-HarvestMachineryConsignmentAuction

Rimbey,Alberta- OnlineAuctions

TollFree 1-855-783-0556

SellingequipmenttoallfourWesternprovincesandthe NorthernUSA.Listingsarenowbeingacceptedforour

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August18thto22nd,2023

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RimbeyOffice- 403-843-2747 -TollFree-1-855-783-0556

Hwy#16EastOffice- 780-208-2508

Rimbey & Hwy#16 East, Alberta- LicenseNo.165690

Email:abolson@telusplanet.net-Website:www.allenolsonauction.com

SKIDSTEERLOADERS

BOBCATS770,2018,92hpBobcatdiesel,1433 hours,selectablejoystick,,A91optionpackage,cab enclosure/heater/air,highflow,twospeed,sound reduction,deluxeinstrumentation,hydraulicbucket position,autoridecontrol,airrideseat,radio,power bobtach,offsetrims,7-pinattachmentcontrol,engine blockheater,camera,strobe 86,900

TRACKLOADERS

BOBCATT770, 2021,92hpBobcatdiesel,413 hours,selectablejoystick,P69/C37packages,cab enclosure/heater/air,highflow,twospeed,roller suspension,soundreduction,deluxeinstrumentation, hydraulicbucketposition,reversingfan,automatic ridecontrol,heatedclothairrideseat,radio,power bobtach

102,000

BOBCATT76, 2020,74hpBOBCATDIESEL,361 hours,P29/C68packages,cabenclosure/heater/ air,twospeed,soundreduction,touchdisplay,rear viewcamera,dualdirectionbucketposition,reversing fan,automaticridecontrol,heatedclothairrideseat, premiumlights,powerbobtach 102,900

EXCAVATORS

BOBCATE20, 2021,14hpKubotadiesel,63hours, Bobcatcanopyenhancementcontrols,boomswingcontrol, finger-tipauxhydraulics,auto-shifttravelsystem 46900

EXCAVATORS

JOHNDEERE50D, 2008,36hpYANMARDIESEL,1874 hours,standardorISOpattern,cab/heater/air,autoidle, suspensionseat,mechanicalquikcoupler 68,400

BOBCATE50, 2012,50hpBobcatdiesel,1029hours, A71optionpackage,Cab/heater/air,keylessstart,hydraulic clamp,hydraulicx-change,2ndauxhydraulics,travelmotion alarm,clothsuspensionseat 89,400

BOBCATE50,2014,50hpBobcatdiesel,964hours, longarm,A91optionpackage,cab/heater/air,deluxe panelw/keyless,hydraulicangleblade,hydraulicclamp, hydraulicx-change,2ndauxhydraulics,travelmotionalarm, suspensionseat,radio

BOBCATT76

2020,74hpBOBCATDIESEL,361hours, P29/C68packages,cabenclosure/ heater/air,twospeed,soundreduction, touchdisplay,rearviewcamera,dual directionbucketposition,reversingfan, automaticridecontrol,heatedclothair rideseat,premiumlights,powerbobtach 102,900

SKIDSTEERATTACHMENTS

66”ROOTGRAPPLE 3,300

EXCAVATOR&VERSAHANDLERATTACHMENTS

SINGLETOOTHBALEHANDLER NEW 2,000

ALLIED500BPLATECOMPACTOR, 2013 7,700

AMI48”,hydraulictiltditchcleaningbucketw/serrated bolt-onedgefitsJohnDeere50D..............5,900

MISCELLANEOUS WOODSRM48, 3pt.,48”finishingmower 1,100

MOWERS

WALKERMT25I-GHSFRONTMOUNTZEROTURN, 2017,25hpEFIKohler,1513hoursw/48”rear dischargemower ...................... 9,900 GRASSHOPPER623T, frontmountzero-turn,2015, 23hpKohlercommandpro,185hoursw/52”sidedischarge mowerw/powerfold 11,400

FARMKING

FARMKING 10’steelswathrollerw/2handcranksfor adjustment,1”pillowblockbearingsoncentershaft, swivelhitch 2,800 TL25454”TILLER w/SLIPCLUTCH

127,500

98,500 BOBCATE50,2021,50hpbobcatdiesel,339hours, longarm,P82/C62packages,cab/heater/air,7”displayw/ radioandbluetooth,hydraulicangleblade,hydraulicclamp w/divertervalve,hydraulicx-change,travelmotionalarm, heatedclothsuspensionseat,LEDworklightkit 106,900 BOBCATE60, 2021,56hpBobatdiesel,72hours, extendablearm,E66optionpackage,cabw/autoheat/ air,7”touchdisplayw/radioandbluetooth,hydraulicangle blade,hydraulicclamp,hydraulicx-change,2ndAUX hydraulics,travelmotionalarm,heatedclothsuspension seatw/headrest,engineblockheater,strobe 124,900 BOBCATE55, 2016,50hpbobcatdiesel,242hours, extendablearm,A91optionpackage,cab/heater/air, deluxepanel,hydraulicangleblade,hydraulicclamp, hydraulicx-change,2ndauxhydraulics,travelmotionalarm, suspensionseat,radio

610-30StreetNorth,Lethbridge,AB. 403-329-6011 chinookequipment.ca

JEFF:(403)380-0645Cell. TJ:(403)915-5143-Cell.