Alberta

Conservation Priorities

Conservation Champion

Luc Tellier won them the 2006 Alberta Beef Producers Environmental Stewardship Award for his commitment to using environmental farm practices on his ranch near Bonnyville.

In This Section

Conserving Your Agricultural Lands

Agricultural producers are important stewards of the land, whether they are crop farmers, ranchers or have mixed farming operations. DUC has a variety of programs to assist producers to create sustainable operations, as well as protect the vital wildlife habitat that exists on their land.

Investing in health grasslands on your property can provide not only agricultural benefits, but economic benefits as well. Enhanced and well-managed grasslands benefit producers over the long term by providing a sustainable source of forage and water for livestock. Improved water sources can contribute to improved daily gain for cattle. By implementing a cross-fencing system, you can control when and where your cattle feed in your pastures. This can provide a prime food source for your cattle and may even provide the opportunity to expand your herd size without expanding your land base.

Cropland Conversion Program

The Cropland Conversion Program is intended for landowners that are making the shift from cultivated agriculture to forage/beef production, or perhaps are returning marginally-productive lands in grain production to perennial cover. The program offers an incentive to landowners that sign an agreement.

Proven Seed Forage Incentive Program

Through a unique partnership with Proven Seeds, a division of Agricore United, Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Forage Incentive Program encourages planting of native and tame grass through a discount on the retail price of these grass seeds.

Land Use Exchange Program

DUC has developed a Land-Use Exchange Program for producers. Where DUC owns suitable tracts of land for farming, the organization agrees to let a producer graze, hay or plant crops on the agriculturally productive portion of land while continuing to preserve land that is better used for wildlife and wetland. In return, the producer lets DUC restore or conserve a parcel of the producer’s land for wetland habitat or perennial cover.

For more information on any of these programs, please call 1-800-665-DUCK (3825)