24 The Business of Prairie Agriculture Better Farming | April 2024 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: FLOATING ISLANDS Floating islands, metal-framed rafts stuffed with water-loving plants, strung across sloughs and storm ponds, are all part of the research that Olds College in Alberta is doing to clean water runoff from commercial feedlots. How effective are these humanmade islands? What maintenance do they require? Filtering water for safe use in agricultural settings by natural means creates a very satisfying closed-loop cycle – from industrial waste runoff, to clean drinking or irrigation water – all on-site for one farmer. Tannas Conservation Services, who have patented the design of the floatCLEANING AGRICULTURAL WATER NATURALLY RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: ‘FLOATING ISLANDS’ By ADELINE PANAMAROFF Sergei Belski photos
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