In the discussion about the Horse Hill ASP, there
have been claims made about the one-of-a-kind soil, and the existence of a
micro climate. For reference, Webster’s dictionary defines a microclimate as: “the
essentially uniform local climate of a usually small site or habitat”.
I don’t think anyone would suggest this is bad
farm land; it certainly isn’t. Just as in other parts of our province, there is
some really good soil; and some soil that isn’t as good.
As you can see on the Government of Alberta’s
website this highly productive soil surrounds Edmonton, and stretches
throughout the centre of the province. It is called Black Chernozemic soils, and according to Alberta Agriculture &
Rural Development: “These soils are associated with grassland areas with the
most available moisture and cooler temperatures. These soils are characterized
by the presence of a black surface horizon that is 12 to 20 cm thick with
organic matter generally in the range of 6 to 10 percent. These are highly
productive soils that are used to grow a wide variety of agricultural crops.”
The map below, also from Alberta Agriculture,
shows frost-free days throughout the province. The more days above freezing,
the longer the growing season:
As you can see, there is a pocket around Edmonton
that has more days with temperatures about freezing than other areas (more than
125 days). There is also a pocket east of Red Deer, and a very large region
around Medicine Hat. There are many large areas in the province that have
slightly less frost-free days, with 115-125 days. Most of the region with the
black Chernozemic soils falls into this category. Also many farmers have fields
that are earlier than others because of a south facing slope or windbreaks that
provide protection.
So while there is certainly good soil here, and a
few days a year extra above freezing, it is at the very least a stretch to
suggest this is the “best land in Canada” or a far superior micro-climate with
a much longer growing season.
To
say that this land is so unique that no other like can be found anywhere makes
for good sound bites but it just isn’t true.
Learn the facts;
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