Maintaining soil productivity, controlling weeds, and using appropriate crop rotations are important production issues facing organic agriculture in the semi-arid region of the Canadian Prairies. Lower input costs plus price premiums normally more than offset lower yields in organic vs. conventional agriculture. Recent research in this region demonstrated the favourable economic performance and energy efficiency of organic systems. Yield losses due to weeds can be high, but cultural practices that increase crop competitiveness or physically damage weeds have proven effective. Practices that utilize biological N2 fixation have been successful in replacing nitrogen removed in organic crops. Composted livestock manure has shown greater potential in restoring soil P than other strategies such as rock phosphate application. Maintaining sufficient residue cover to control soil erosion is a challenge in organic systems, particularly in dry cycles. Practices that reduce tillage for organic crops typically compromise weed control. Soil arthropod biodiversity indicators that are sensitive to pesticides are favoured, in contrast to those sensitive to tillage which are discouraged. In the short term, economic returns in this region remain very promising if weeds can be managed and the crop commands a sufficiently large organic price premium.