Robert McNabb

Minnedosa, Manitoba

Mankind established a relationship with the soil at the very commencement of civilization. This relationship has allowed us to advance, but not always in the sense of a good partnership.

Mankind over the centuries has all too often extracted from the soil without regard for maintaining or enhancing the soils productivity.

The relationship of sail and man1 without the fundamentals of a good partnership has brought us to the question - can mankind achieve sustainable agricultural development?

Sustainable agriculture has been defined in lengthy format by academics, bureaucrats and politicians for many years. As a farmer, I have an appreciation for the following definition:"SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE" IS A SYSTEM OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION THAT DEPLETES NEITHER SOIL NOR MAN.

In order to develop an appreciation for sustainable agriculture it is necessary to 100k back in history to determine past interactions between soil and man.

The formation of soil that had the capability of supporting life commenced 350,000,000 years ago. Through the millennia, climate the laws of natural selection, plants and animals supported the soil building process. Topsoil, the upper layer of the earth, rich In organic matter and mineral, plant and animal life was created.

Primitive man came on the scene one million years ago. He did not upset the natural process of soil, plant and animal growth because like other animals, he was forced to adapt to his natural environment in order to survive.

Civilised Man came on the scene 6000 years ago. He became civilised enough to master other animals and plants and attempted to master "nature" herself. This was the end of the soil building process. The quality and quantity of soil and the amount of life the soil supported began to decline. Civilised man attempted to be the master of his environment at least temporarily.

Problems started when man thought of himself as "master of the world". Man, whether civilised or savage, is a child of nature and not the master of nature. When man tries to circumvent the laws of nature he destroys the natural environment that supports him and his environment deteriorates rapidly, his civilisation declines rapidly.

All trends in history show that civilised man has despoiled most of the land on which he has lived for long. Wars between civilisations started because man wanted more land alter he had ruined his own. The historical records for the last 6000 years clearly indicate that civilised man was unable to continue a progressive civilisation in one location for more than an average lifespan of 40-60 generations (1000-1500 years).

Think about it. Our civilisation as we know it in North America has really only been developed for less than three centuries. It is possible that we are on a collision coarse leading to extinction comparable to past civilisations.

Looking back in history, how did civilised man ruin his environment bringing collapse to his civilisation.

1. He depleted or destroyed his natural resources.

2. He cut down or burnt most of the valuable timber.

3. He overgrazed the grasslands that fed livestock.

4. He killed most of the wildlife and fish.

5. He permitted erosion to rob his farmland of its productive topsoil.

6. He allowed eroded soil to clog the streams and fill his reservoirs, irrigation canals and harbours with silt.

7. He used or wasted most of the available metals and minerals.

Obviously, our present civilisation over the past 300 years in North America has simply carried on with the destruction. it is quite likely that we are on a similar course as the Phoenicians of Lebanon.

The fate of our civilisation is sealed unless we develop a strong conservation ethic. First and foremost, the depletion of soil must be stopped in the system of agricultural production and the soil building process must be allowed to operate naturally.

It is therefore obvious that farmers, as the primary producers have a very important role to play In the development of truly sustainable agriculture. Farmers are Innovators and when given the opportunity, will develop an appropriate system.

In Canada over 1/2 of the productive land loses in excess of 5 tonnes per acre per year of productive topsoil to erosion. In the Southern African country of Zimbabwe, which has a development period of similar length to North America, present losses of topsoil are 25 tonnes per acre per year due to erosion,

The primary reason for this loss is the lack of protection on the soil surface, which is identical to the prime reason for the demise of past civilisations. Soil losses In excess of 3-5 tonnes per acre per year are simply unacceptable.

If Moses, when he was inspired to deliver the Ten Commandments to the Israelites in the Desert to establish mans relationship to his creator and his fellow men could have foreseen what was to become of the Promised Land after 3000 years of mans partnership with the soil - surely would have been inspired to deliver an ìEleventh Commandment".

The "Eleventh Commandmentî could have taken the following format:

Thou shalt develop a system of agricultural production which drastically reduces soil erosion and builds up soil organic matter.

This is identical to the ìinherent purposeî which inspired the formation of the Manitoba - North Dakota Zero Tillage Farmers Association.

As producers, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to take the lead role in developing sustainable agriculture.

Learning to farm with residue is undoubtedly the cornerstone for the development of a truly sustainable agriculture: consequently, the potential for a true partnership of soil and man over the centuries.

REFERENCES

Elwell H. (1992). "Cropland Management Options for the Future

Anderson, Rappel and Gray. (1990). Sustainability In Canadian Agriculture".

Berry, Wendell. (1981). "The Gift of Good Land

Carter V.G. and Dale, T. (1974). "Topsoil and Civilisation"

Lowdermilk. (1953). "Conquest Of The Land Through 7000 Years."

University of Manitoba and International Institute for Sustainable Development. (1992). Sustainable Agriculture; A Prairie Perspective."