NutrientStewardship

Mosaic wants farmers to achieve maximumplant nutrition and yield benefits from ourcrop nutrition products. But when cropnutrients run off farmland into a waterway,they can contribute to impaired water quality.It is in everyone’s best interest that nutrientsremain in the crop’s root zone.

Fertilizer is a vital agricultural input andinvestment—one that requires agronomicknowledge and careful planning. Becausesoil fertility is not self-sustaining, nutrientsmust be replaced to ensure each year’s cropgrows a nutritious supply of food. Fertilizersreplenish soils with those nutrients that are

Reducing the Loss of CropNutrients to WaterwaysCrop nutrients help plants grow and produce thefood, fiber and fuel we all need. Unfortunately theycan also nourish algal blooms in waterways, whichis in no one’s best interest. We support and promotethe 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework to achievethe agricultural benefits of fertilizer and reducenutrient loss to the environment.

TARGETS & PERFORMANCE FOOD ENVIRONMENT PEOPLE COMPANY

removed with each harvest.

Various sources of nutrients can load local waterways,including runoff from farmland livestock operations andmunicipal wastewater. Greater concentrations of nutrientscan be present in areas where soil fertility is needed for cropproduction, and where agriculture is a significant use of land.Nutrient losses can stimulate algal blooms in water, impactingthe surrounding watersheds, environment and community.

Good nutrient management is possible, but bestmanagement practices differ from farm to farm. It takestesting, research, planning, measurement and collaborationto determine which nutrient management practices are mosteffective, adaptive and scalable.

Many stakeholders, including agriculture companies,academic institutions, nonprofit organizations andgovernments, are working collaboratively and with farmers toimplement solutions to nutrient losses. For example, groupsare engaged on:

Training and education on 4R Nutrient StewardshipFocusing on local conservation programs

Fertilizers andAlgal BloomsHigh nutrientconcentrations in water—known aseutrophication—canstimulate rapid growth ofaquatic algal “blooms”that feed on nutrients,warmth and light.

Algae grow naturally infreshwater and marineenvironments, butcertain algal blooms areconsidered harmful.Excessive growth canharm ecosystems andproduce bacterial toxinsthat can cause illness inhumans, domestic petsand wildlife.

Problems associatedwith algal bloomsinclude discolored water,reduced water clarity

Phosphorus, the mineralfound in phosphatefertilizer, is an essentialmineral for all lifeIn plants, phosphorus supports root growth, plant development,resistance to diseases and water use efficiency—producing highercrop quality and increased yields.

Combining on- and off-field practicesConducting small watershed research projectsConsidering nutrient tradingImproving data collectionEnhancing soil testing methodsEvaluating weather criteria as part of crop nutrientapplication planningUsing variable rate planning and technology

Mosaic has been actively engaged on phosphate productstewardship for years, and we recognize there is more to bedone. We are redoubling efforts to further extend our marketleadership, provide product expertise, and advocate forincreased efficiency of phosphate nutrients in croppingsystems on farmland.

“Mosaic takes its responsibility to support and promote theproper use of crop nutrients seriously,” said Jim Prokopanko,President and Chief Executive Officer of The MosaicCompany. “We are committed to helping retail customers andfarmers achieve the benefits of phosphate fertilizer usethrough 4R Nutrient Stewardship and balanced cropnutrition.”

and light penetration,and a musty drinkingwater taste and odor. Asblooms decompose,they may consumeenough dissolvedoxygen in water tocreate a condition calledhypoxia or so-called“dead zones” where fishand other life can’tsurvive.

Crop nutrients must beapplied using science-based 4R NutrientStewardship practices tomitigate potentiallynegative environmentalimpacts stemming fromimproper use. If cropnutrients are notmanaged appropriately,they can run offfarmland and potentiallyimpair watersheds.

Since 2004, The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic CompanyFoundation have invested more than $17 million in water-focused programs and partnerships promoting nutrientstewardship, habitat conservation and watershed restorationin priority watersheds. In addition, we have partnered with 89organizations on water-focused initiatives, including 20organizations on nutrient stewardship initiatives, since 2004.

“We manage Mosaic’s business with transparency andaccountability, creating value that is shared amongemployees, customers, communities, shareholders and

business partners,” said Prokopanko. “The steps we’ve takento promote good stewardship of our fertilizer productsreconfirms our commitment to sustainability and socialresponsibility. Mosaic is embracing its obligation to drivecontinuous improvement across our company, and across thefertilizer industry.”

Our Nutrient Stewardship Actions:

Promote4R Nutrient Stewardshipthrough communication andeducation

Partnerwith non-governmentalorganizations in prioritywatersheds

Investin product research anddevelopment to increase yieldsand reduce nutrient loss

Engageand invest in strategic 4RNutrient Stewardship programsthat:

Add production andenvironmental value to ourcustomersReinforce industryassociations’ efforts toprovide nutrientstewardship leadershipProvide regulators withscience-based solutions

4R Nutrient Stewardship encompasses

4R Nutrient Stewardship: Guidedby Science, Proven By Research

Mosaic supports and promotes the 4R NutrientStewardship framework, which helps definepractices to meet the economic, environmental andsocial goals of a farming operation.

fertilizer best management practices toachieve specific cropping system goals,including environmental protection. Toachieve those goals, the 4Rs frameworkincorporates the Right nutrient source, at theRight rate, at the Right time, and in the Rightplace.

The concept of 4R Nutrient Stewardship issimple, but implementation is knowledge-intensive and site-specific. Other agronomicand conservation practices, such as tillagepractices and cover crops, play a valuablerole in good nutrient stewardship. As aresult, fertilizer best management practicesare most effective when applied with otheragronomic and conservation practices.

Partnering with The Nature Conservancy to Improve WaterQualityIn 2013, The Mosaic Company Foundationsupported The Nature Conservancy’s

Learn how the 4Rs provide a foundation foroptimized yields, while maximizing profitability andsustainability.

Western Lake Erie Basin 4R NutrientStewardship Program to pilot the voluntary4R Certification Standard for agriculturalretailers in collaboration with multiplesectors. The goal is to improve water qualityin the Western Lake Erie Basin in Indiana,Michigan and Ohio.

“The Nature Conservancy is a leadingconservation organization working aroundthe world to protect ecologically importantlands and waters for nature and people. Ourexpertise in nutrient stewardship andconservation agriculture best practicesenables us to share success acrossgeographies,” said Larry Clemens, NorthAmerican Agriculture Program Director atThe Nature Conservancy. “The MosaicCompany Foundation’s support of thiscertification program ensures thatinformation sharing and the incorporation ofnew research and technologies will help toimprove water quality in Lake Erie.”

Learn more on ourinvestments andpartnership with TheNature Conservancy

Suggested Best Practices to Keep Phosphorus on FarmlandSource: NutrientStewardship.com

Visit the Nature ConservancyWebsite

Additional Education Resources

DO soil test to determine nutrient requirements forthe next crop

DO consider all nutrient sources available to thecrop when deciding on how much to apply

DO inject or incorporate phosphorus wheneverpossible

DO delay application for low-lying fields that areprone to flooding to just before planting; eitherincorporate, band-place or inject

DO use cover crops to improve soil health, increasewater-holding capacity and reduce surface runoff

DO include starter or row phosphate fertilizerwherever practical

DO schedule phosphate fertilizer applications for no-till programs as close to crop utilization as practical

DO schedule phosphate fertilizer broadcastapplications in conventional/reduced tillage programsfor when shallow tillage is possible

DON'T schedule phosphate fertilizer applicationsjust prior to heavy rainfall

DON'T schedule phosphate fertilizer applicationswhen soils are frozen or snow covered

DON'T broadcast apply phosphate fertilizer nearsurface drains or exposed tile stand pipes; considerinjection or banded application methods

DON'T apply phosphate fertilizer near ditches,streams or waterways

Overview of Requirements for 4R Nutrient StewardshipCertification

4R Farmers and The Lake: Sustainable Crop Nutrition forThe Western Lake Erie Basin

4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship: Economically,Environmentally & Socially Sustainable Crop Nutrition

4R Plant Nutrition: A Manual for Improving theManagement of Plant Nutrition, Second Edition

4R Nutrient Stewardship Portal by International PlantNutrition Institute

4R Nutrient Stewardship by The Fertilizer Institute

Mosaic collaborates with a wide range ofagriculture stakeholders, includingInternational Plant Nutrition Institute,Canadian Fertilizer Institute, InternationalFertilizer Association, The Fertilizer Instituteand Agricultural Retailers Association topromote and provide information on 4RNutrient Stewardship and sustainableagricultural systems.

Our Partnerships onNutrient Stewardship,Habitat Conservation andWatershed Restoration

Advancing Industry & AgricultureSupply Chain Efforts

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Our StakeholderEngagement

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