An investigation into ecological farming systems on the Canadian Prairies

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dc.contributor.authorDick, Calvin
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeCattani, Douglas (Plant Science) Amiro, Brian (Soil Science)en_US
dc.contributor.supervisorEntz, Martin (Plant Science)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2016-09-13T17:49:11Z
dc.date.available2016-09-13T17:49:11Z
dc.date.issued2016
dc.degree.disciplinePlant Scienceen_US
dc.degree.levelMaster of Science (M.Sc.)en_US
dc.description.abstractThere are currently numerous alternative food production models that may have potential to contribute substantially to improved environmental sustainability. However, such alternatives are not well studied, particularly within the context of the Canadian Prairies. To increase knowledge in this area, this thesis performed a preliminary agronomic trial for food grain production in intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), investigating the effects of legume intercropping and residue management. Mean grain yields were 520 and 447 kg/ha in 2014 and 2015, respectively, and a significant yield increase was observed following grazing with sheep. A series of farm case studies were also conducted in order to characterize ecological farming approaches on the Canadian prairies. The most consistent strategy among the farms was to increase diversity in multiple facets for both environmental and economic benefit, including more crop and livestock species, system and landscape components, and marketing strategies.en_US
dc.description.noteOctober 2016en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/31715
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.subjectAgricultureen_US
dc.subjectPerennial grainsen_US
dc.subjectAgroecologyen_US
dc.subjectOrganic agricultureen_US
dc.subjectIntercroppingen_US
dc.subjectPolycultureen_US
dc.subjectPermacultureen_US
dc.subjectHolistic grazing managementen_US
dc.titleAn investigation into ecological farming systems on the Canadian Prairiesen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
local.subject.manitobayesen_US
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