Thorndale Demonstration Farm Update (UTRCA weekly, July 8, 2021)
Earlier this year, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) established a new, 58 acre demonstration farm near Thorndale, Ontario. Since then Conservation Services staff has been initiating projects to demonstrate various best management practices (BMPs) and showcase how they can improve soil health and local water quality.
There are several water and soil management practices being undertaken on the property. Craig Merkley, Conservation Services Specialist, says that, “The BMPs include broad based and narrow based berms, blind inlets, stand pipe inlets, and a rock chute. We’ve installed windbreaks along the field boundaries to help prevent wind erosion. Pollinator plants have been added to increase biodiversity to the property, along with a two acre block planting on a highly erodible section of the farm. The main feature is a newly installed controlled drainage system featuring ten agricultural drain structures to control the amount of water held back in the system.”
These features were all designed to showcase options for local farmers to see how they work and consider if they can be utilized on their own farms.
Staff hosted a demonstration day in early June, with COVID-19 protocols in place. Visitors were able to see a contour controlled drainage system and in-line water level control structures being installed. Another demonstration day is being planned for the fall.
The project received financial support from many sources, including the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as ADS Canada (formerly Ideal Drain Tile), Agri Drain Corporation, Bluewater Pipe Inc, Hickenbottom Drain Inlets/Maaskant Brothers, and McCutcheon Farm Drainage.
Other supporters include the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, Middlesex Federation of Agriculture, and Middlesex Soil and Crop Improvement Association.