New Research to Look at Forage and Pasture Carbon Sequestration

The federal and Saskatchewan governments on Monday announced $3.2 million in funding for research on carbon sequestration in perennial forage and pastures. 

Researchers from the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Alberta will collaborate on the five-year project. It will examine soil carbon stocks in perennial forage systems across Saskatchewan and investigate the link between producer management practices and carbon stores to identify practices that promote carbon sequestration. 

One of the outcomes of the project will be maps providing an accurate estimate of carbon in Saskatchewan’s pasture and rangelands. 

“This project will research what drives soil carbon dynamics under pasture and forage across Saskatchewan,” said Angela Bedard-Haughn, dean of the USask College of Agriculture and Bioresources. “How much is stored? Where? Why is there more here versus there? And how long is it likely to stick around?” 

The Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association contributed $100,000 to the total amount of the project and a $25,000 in-kind commitment. 

“The carbon economy must be built on a credible foundation. Despite a lot of activity, there still needs to be this baseline building on hay and grassland. This should help cattle producers credibly participate in whatever the carbon opportunity is,” added Arnold Balicki, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association Chair.