4R Research Fund

Lara Moody, P.E.Director of Stewardship Programs

4R Nutrient Stewardship• Improve agricultural production while

contributing to social well being and minimizing environmental impacts (benefits water and air quality)

• 4R represents the use of fertilizer Best Management Practices to ensure:• the right source • at the right rate • at the right time• in the right place

4R Nutrient Stewardship • Match nutrient supply with crop

requirements and to minimize nutrient losses from fields

• BMPs effecting fertilizer are sitespecific

• Prevention vs. mitigation• Fertilizer BMPs help prevent nutrient losses from occurring• 4Rs work in conjunction with other conservation practices and

‘green infrastructure’

Cropping System Objective: Use emerging tools and technologies to maintain responsible and sustainable agriculture.

2012 4R Advocate

1800 Acre Corn and Soybean Operation

(some irrigation)

Average Yields:224-260 bu/ac corn62 – 81 bu/ac soy

Source• Use N Stabilizers for Liquid

and Dry Forms• P efficiency additives• Multiple N forms

depending on timing• Thiosulfate with irrigation if

needed

Rate• Grid soil sample • Account for previous

year nutrient credits• Test irrigation water for

N content

Time• No fall applications• Split apply N• Pre-season urea• Pre-plant & side-dress

liquid UAN (inject)• Tissue test in season as

needed

Place• Variable rate seeding

and fertilizer apps.• Auto-steer for all field

and spraying work• Satellite imaging to help

assess efforts• Inject nutrients when

applicable

Additional Practices• Variable rate seeding to maximize yield and control input costs• Plant 800 acres of cover crops for weed control and to

conserve moisture and nutrients• Use irrigation management to avoid over or under watering• Use retailers technology driven decision making tool (CPI-300)• No-tills as many acres as possible

Uses an average of 0.9 lb N/bu

Industry Efforts

Partnerships & Member Outreach

Implem

entati

on of Nutri

ent

Steward

ship Bas

ed on Sc

ience

Development of Resources with Broad Use and Scope and Implementation with Regional and Local specificity

Research & Science

Awareness & Promotional Tools

Educational Tools & Resources

Evaluation of Implementation

Recognition & Advocacy

Goals: • Establish 4Rs as recognizable strategy for economic, social, and environmental sustainability • Expand the implementation of 4Rs by service providers on the farm• Increase awareness of these efforts to the public and policy developers worldwide

4R Nutrient Stewardship Research Fund

• Better understand air and water quality impacts of on-farm stewardship practices

• Demonstrate to stakeholders and the public that fertilizer nutrients are responsibly managed

• North American fertilizer industry has pledged $7 million to fund the establishment of sustainability indicators and environmental impact data for implementation of 4R nutrient stewardship

• Multi-year effort to measure and document the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the 4Rs

4R Nutrient Stewardship Research Fund

• Will engage and leverage the resources of stakeholders who have an interest in nutrient stewardship

• Will operate under IPNI’s Foundation for Agronomic Research (FAR) and will be managed by a Fund Management Committee

• A technical advisory group of industry, academic, and government experts in agronomy, environmental sciences, sustainability, government relations and communications will support the management committee