Canadian barley farming is leading the way in sustainable agriculture
A new study by the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan shows that barley grown in Saskatchewan and Western Canada has the lowest carbon intensity among all global regions studied.
The research used international standards for carbon life cycle analysis (ISO 14044 and ISO 14067). It confirms that Canadian barley farming is leading the way in sustainable agriculture. Whether or not soil carbon sequestration was included, the carbon footprint of Saskatchewan barley remained the lowest when compared to countries like Australia and France.
“This study validates the leadership of Saskatchewan barley producers in both productivity and environmental stewardship,” said Jill McDonald, Executive Director of SaskBarley. “Our farmers are on the front lines of climate-smart agriculture. The practices they’ve adopted—like reduced tillage, advanced crop rotations and precision nutrient management—are helping drive real, measurable change.”
Saskatchewan farmers use advanced practices such as reduced tillage, smart crop rotations, and precision nutrient use. These techniques help the environment by storing more carbon in the soil and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The study adds to similar research on other crops like wheat, peas, canola, and lentils—showing a consistent trend in low-emission agriculture across Western Canada.