An Economic and Productivity Comparison of Organic and Conventional Farming in Saskatchewan

J. A. Bromm¹ and B. Wilson²

The implementation of organic farming practices is on the rise and prevalent throughout the country as the market establishes itself. Yet many conventional farmers still believe that organic farming can not produce the same yields or provide economic stability. Current research and experimentation has suggested that organic farming can be just as successful as conventional and at a lower cost to the environment. This study focused on the productivity and financial success of organic producers in Saskatchewan. In some cases organic yields were slightly lower but the financial gains were found to be a good deal higher. Soil samples were taken from both organic and conventional farm land. Based on the soil sample analysis and the additional research into other soil studies it was determined that organic farming can enhance soil functions. The results indicated that organic producers maintain soil quality and therefore effectively produce yields close to those of conventional producers within the same soil type. Factors deemed most important between the two methods include organic crop rotations resulting in soil stability while fertilizer use reduces soil health. Lower input expenses for organic producers and better market value increases the farmer's net revenue. Overall it was determined that conventional farming has moved away from sustainable agriculture and become an industrial agriculture where big agribusiness is gaining all the control. At the same time organic producers are focusing on a sustainable agricultural system that not only protects producers it protects the ecosystems that sustain agriculture.

Please see poster in PDF format

Source
2nd OACC Organic Research Workshop, Presented in association with the Organic Connections: Prairie Wide Organic Conference and Trade Show, November 14-16th, 2004


Author Locations & Affiliations
(1) Graduated from Lakehead University, currently with OACC. Correspondence:jennifer.bromm@usask.ca
(2) Lakehead University, Thunderbay ON