4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification in Lake

Erie Watershed

Joe Nester, Nester Ag LLCJohn Oster, Morral Companies LLCMark Smith, USDA-NRCS OhioCarrie Vollmer-Sanders, The Nature Conservancy

Western Lake Erie Basin

Nutrient loading

“70-80% of the Lake Erie phosphorus load comes from agriculture.” Dr. David Baker, NCWQR Heidelberg

“50-60% of the phosphorus load comes from agriculture.” Joe Depinto, Limnotech

90% of the water feeding Lake Erie comes down the Detroit River but only 3-5% of the phosphorus load.

Only 5% of the water flowing into Lake Erie comes down the Maumee River but includes 80% of the phosphorus load.

July 30, 2011

Cumulative Impacts

August 16, 2011

Cumulative Impacts

August 19, 2011

Cumulative Impacts

October 2011

Cumulative Impacts

For People and Nature…

How Do People React?

4R Nutrient Stewardship

Sustainability

A management strategy

4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Continually Developing

Attention Agronomy Majors

• Particulate Phosphorus

• Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus

4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Advisory Committee

Who –Nutrient Service Providers (NSP)

Ag RetailersCertified Crop AdvisorsCrop ConsultantsCertified Agronomists

Voluntary Participation

Training and Education1. Certified Professional 2. Initial Training and 5 CEUs every 2 yrs3. Provide 4R materials for all

growers/customers4. Sponsor training for growers/customers

Right Source

What is the Risk?Blend CompatibilityDoes it fit your SoilsCredit Previous Crop/ Manure

Right Rate

Soil Test- Be Representative!Know Your InventoriesAddress Soil Health Maintain Lime for Efficiency

Right Rate

VRTAdaptive ManagementEvaluate YieldsRealistic Yield Goals

Right Time

What is the Risk?Watch the WeatherSoluble Sources If >1/2” in 12 hours- delay Incorporation

Right Time

Sensitive AreasNo Frozen GroundNo Snow CoverAfter PlantingTo a Growing Crop

Right Place

VRTSetbacksStarterSoil ContactStrip or Band

What is 4R Certification? Education - CCA Record Keeping 4R Nutrient Stewardship Implemented Private 3rd Party Evaluation Continual Improvement

Ag RetailersCrop Advisers

Service Providers

Structure to Achieve 4R Consistency during Implementation

Education Record Keeping Assessment Federal/State Laws Followed Annual Review Private, 3rd party validation

Education Problem Recognition Existing Best Management Practices Research & Science Based BMP’s Retailer’s influence on customers Certified Crop Advisor “CCA” conduit Agronomic and application decision making Applicator Training Research based nutrient recommendations Solution Implementation

Timeline July 2013: 4 Pilot Audits (Certifications)-

Completed August: 4R Advisory Committee Review -

Completed Fall 2013/Winter 2014: Promotion and Launch of

Audit Program - Completed Summer of 2014: Audit program Begins –

Underway, 4 of 49 audits completed Fall of 2014: NSC Certification - Pending

4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Application

Req. No. Requirement Audit Year

1.1.1 *

Nutrient Service Providers, sales, and application staff have undergone an initial training and are able to demonstrate knowledge about 4R Nutrient Stewardship and the 4R Certification Program.

1

1.2.1 Certified professionals must have current certification in good standing. 1

2.1.1

Nutrient Service Provider records the recommendation given to the grower customer and track application with annual summary totals of fertilizer products applied on custom applied acres. 

1

2.1.2Minimum records kept include: number of acres serviced with recommendations and custom application and number of grower customers in the program. 

1

3.1.1 * Nutrient Service Provider maintains records related to all growers’ nutrient recommendations/applications. 1

Anticipated Results

Improved water quality Reduced phosphorus loading Reduced harmful algal blooms Agriculture is seen as “doing its part” Growers apply less nutrient Fertility is maintained Maximum economic yields are achieved Environmental, social and economic solutions

occur A WIN for all stakeholders

Triple Bottom Line Evaluation

Coming to a watershed near you?

Continually Developing 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification

Lake Erie - 2014

Who has funded the development of the 4R Certification Program?

Clean WaterClean Lakes

Improved Crops

www.4Rcertified.org