An Environmental Specialist with OMAFRA says extreme weather events related to climate change can be a threat to soil health.
Dave Bray points out there are things farmers can do to help their fields resist the impact of heavy rain fall, drought and high wind conditions.
Bray says compacting the soil makes it particularly vulnerable because it eliminates air space in the soil and water can't get into it so it just runs off.
He adds if water and organic matter can remain in the soil it's there for the crop. He adds cover crops are another very effective way of protecting the soil against extreme weather events.
Bray also notes temperatures are gradually increasing while precipitation is a little less predictable.
He says he expects those trends to continue and if or when they eventually begin to stabilize will likely depend on how well we control our greenhouse gas emissions.
