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Winter Cereals Program - Alberta
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) - Alberta
Photo: Ducks Unlimited Canada
Program Summary
Ducks Unlimited Canada's Winter Cereals (Alberta) program provides a per-acre incentive payment to plant winter cereals on fields, providing habitat for ground-nesting birds, as well as versatile crop options for producers.
Program characteristics
Province
Alberta
Natural Features
Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture Type
Cropland
Program Scope
Provincial
Conservation Approach
Restoration, Beneficial Practices
Incentive Type
Payment for Practices / Conservation / Credits, Cost-sharing / Discounts, Technical Advice
Delivery Agent Type
NGO
Commitment Type
Restoration / Re-seeding / Conversion, Land Conservation / Protection, Management Agreement
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Program web site
Conservation Goals
Planting winter cereals mean less field disturbance in spring, when seeding typically takes place. This means the nests of ground-nesting birds are less likely to be disturbed in the critical spring nesting season.
Eligible Lands
Eligible lands include fields within DUC's Target Areas (see links below for Target Area map). Requires a minimum of 60 acres and a maximum of 250 acres.
Additional Details
Fields must be within DUC's provincial Target Areas (see links below)
Minimum 60 acres/maximum 250 acres
Participants can get expert agronomic support from DUC’s winter cereal advisors
Commitment
Producers are required to establish winter cereals in the designated acres of their croplands.
Incentive
Eligible participants can receive a $20/acre incentive with the potential for a total payment of up to $5,000. Participants also receive agronomic support from DUC's winter cereals agrologist.
Contact Information
Alberta landowners wanting more information can fill in the 'contact us' form at https://ag.ducks.ca/program/winter-wheat/ or, for details on Central Alberta programs, contact Neil Pugh (780-842-8809; n_pugh@ducks.ca), and for details on Southern Alberta programs, contact Monica Klaas (403-489-9911, m_klaas@ducks.ca).
Important to Know
This program can also provide expert agronomic support from Ducks Unlimited Canada's winter cereals advisor.
Provides ground cover reducing soil erosion
Early season crop competition helps manage herbicide resistance
Can provide superior disease resistance
Earlier harvest typically results in higher and more uniform grain quality
For a full list of DUC's programs in Alberta, see https://www.ducks.ca/places/alberta