The FS Stewardship Pledge is our promise to the agriculture industry, the environment, and our farmer owners that we will promote and recommend products and practices that highlight our commitment to Sustainable Best Management Practices.
These products and practices include but are not limited to:
► The 4R principles – Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place
► Nitrogen stabilizers, Nitrification inhibitors, Nitrogen volatilization products
► Agronomic and Environmentally sound nutrient recommendations
► Applied Research focused on minimizing environmental impact, optimizing harvest yield, and maximizing input utilization
What are the 4Rs?
4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®) lets the world know when food has been sustainably grown. The framework balances grower, industry, and government goals to improve on-farm economics, crop productivity, and fertilizer efficiency while benefiting the environment.*
Central Ontario FS Involvement in the 4Rs
The 4R Retailer Certification is a voluntary program for ag retailers to take part in. The program guidelines have been adapted from a similar program in Ohio. The program encourages retailers and certified professionals to adopt and recommend science-based 4R Nutrient Stewardship Best Management Practices.
Central Ontario FS is working to adopt these standards to support our growers in an ever-evolving industry. Evidence to support our work towards the standards will be audited by a private, third party. This review will provide a consistent, recognized 4R program for Ontario Ag-Retailers.
There are currently 16 southwestern Ontario agri-retail facilities that have completed and passed the 4R Certification audit to become 4R Certified. Central Ontario FS has certified locations in Ayr, Delhi, Drayton, Elmvale & Mitchell.
Why is fertilizer so important?
Fertilizer is an important input for growers providing nutrients to plants that are not readily available in the soil, helping growers to foster plant growth and increase yields.
The fertilizer industry has established the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework in cooperation with the government, researchers, customers, farm organizations, conservation groups, and the public.
Adjustments in the crop nutrient source and application rate, timing, and placement methods will support agricultural productivity while also helping to improve the water quality of the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Erie and its contributing watersheds.
By supporting the need to protect and restore the ecological health of significant water bodies, the Ontario agriculture industry is committed to being a part of the solution to ensuring the Great Lakes remain “drinkable, swimmable and fishable.”
The industry recognizes the potential for regulations, the importance of environmental stewardship, and its role in ensuring the proper use of fertilizer.
Grower involvement in the 4Rs
4R Certification in Ontario allows agri-retailers to align their business practices with the sustainability principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in order to provide their grower customers with the best in nutrient management advice to increase grower profitability and environmental stewardship.
Ask your FS Crop Specialist about the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program today and start implementing nutrient best management practices that can help you increase crop production and reduce nutrient loss.
Researchers have recently proven several benefits from implementing 4R practices on Ontario farms, such as:
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 percent by combining the use of urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) with nitrification inhibitors at the eighth-leaf growing stage of corn;
- Increasing corn yields by as much as 20 percent and eliminating harmful ammonia loss to the soil by combining injection placement with UAN fertilizer, compared to broadcasting;
- Reducing phosphorus runoff by 60 percent by subsurface banding instead of broadcasting.
Sustainable farming is the future. In many cases, that future is already underway. Let’s demonstrate how we are leaders in sustainable agriculture.
* SOURCE: https://fertilizercanada.ca
