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2025 ESATS – an introduction

The Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Tracking Survey (ESATS) tracks use of beneficial management practices by farmers and ranchers.

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See event listings and more articles in this edition of Agri-News: January 28, 2025 issue

Alberta’s farmers and ranchers have a reputation for dedication, leadership and hard work as stewards of the land. Every 2 years, the Government of Alberta sponsors the Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Tracking Survey (ESATS) to track use of beneficial management practices (BMPs) by Alberta’s farmers and ranchers. The survey has been running since 1997 and focuses on BMPs that promote responsible resource management of Alberta’s soil, air, water and biodiversity.

The government hired a third-party contractor to conduct the survey. A representative random sample of 500 farmers and ranchers from across Alberta will participate in either an online or telephone questionnaire. The survey includes questions about the use of BMPs based on 4 themes: soil, air, water and biodiversity.

BMPs are management practices that help to reduce or eliminate an environmental risk. These can range from fertilizer and nutrient application to practices protecting water quality. They also take into consideration legislation, practicality and operational needs for a farm or ranch.

The ESATS also tracks farmer and rancher awareness and use of government delivered and/or funded decision-making support tools and resources. These tools, like the Alberta Farm Fertilizer Information and Recommendation Manager, Alberta Climate Information Services, Alberta Irrigation Management Model, and resources like, the Alberta Environmental Farm Plan and Agriculture Service Board Resource Management Program, help farmers and ranchers make environmentally sustainable operational-level decisions on their farms. Understanding awareness and use can help improve these tools and resources for Alberta’s farmers and ranchers.

The results and trends from the ESATS provide valuable information to help government and industry partners improve environmentally sustainable agriculture initiatives and programs that help Alberta’s farmers and ranchers to continue using and to adopt new BMPs. This enables government and industry collaboration in keeping agriculture sustainable, now and into the future.

For more information, see:

Environmentally Sustainable Agriculture Tracking Survey

Contact 

Connect with the ESATS team for more information.

Email: AGI.ESATS@gov.ab.ca

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