Production Resources
4R Nutrient Stewardship in Manitoba
At our 2021 Annual General Meeting Manitoba Crop Alliance Inc. (MCA) members passed a resolution titled “MCA to encourage a reduction of nitrous oxide gas emissions from soil and fertilizer use through a farmer-to-farmer soil and crop management learning forum.”
Right Source @ the
Right Rate,
Right Time, and
Right Place®
In response to the resolution, we are striving to educate you, our farmer members, about the 4R’s (Right Source @ the Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place®) in Manitoba by providing tools and resources so you can make informed management decisions on your farm.
Together with Fertilizer Canada, information about 4R Nutrient Stewardship is available on our website and social media channels. The following resources have been designed to educate you around nutrient management so you can make informed decisions to optimize production, help minimize the risk of nutrient loss and reduce nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural lands.
Research: Get the most out of your nitrogen
The importance of proper nitrogen management on corn is clear to all farmers. A four-year study led by Dr. Mario Tenuta is underway in Ontario, Quebec and locally near Carman, Manitoba. The objective of this research is to determine if advanced 4R nitrogen management conditions change the most economical rate of nitrogen (MERN) to use during the growing season and improve farmer return on investment (ROI). This research will build on and complement research we have already funded in Manitoba aimed at updating nitrogen recommendations for modern hybrids and advancing tools for in-season nitrogen rate determination.
In 2021 Dr. Tenuta hosted a summer tour of his 4R nutrition research field in Manitoba where the Cross-Canada agronomic and environmental benefit of advanced 4R nitrogen management of grain corn research is conducted. Attendees David Chappellaz from Thunder Seeds Canada and Justine Cornelsen from the Canola Council of Canada share their experience in the video below titled “Fertilizer Canada 2021 Research”.
4R Nutrient Stewardship Videos
Fertilizer Canada 2021 Field Research
Improving The Odds Of Success With High-priced Fertilizer And Manure Applications
This presentation was made on January 12, 2022 to our crop committee delegates as part of our first all delegates meeting. It was presented by John Heard, Crop Nutrition Specialist, Agriculture and Resource Development and Don Flaten, Professor Emeritus, University of Manitoba.
Implementing 4R Nutrient Stewardship On Your Farm
Nutrients are essential inputs for crop production. Applying 4R Nutrient Stewardship in Manitoba helps optimize production and is critical to protecting farmland and waterways. We encourage farmer members to implement the principles and practices of 4R Nutrient Stewardship to increase your economic return and protect the environment while ensuring a growing economy. Learn more in the video above.
What is 4R Designation?
Farmers are increasingly facing pressures from the supply chain and the general public to demonstrate on-farm stewardship. The 4R Designation program can provide a strategic opportunity to meet those challenges. 4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping system goals like increased production, increased profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability.
Learn more about the 4R Designation Program on the Fertilizer Canada website.
Additional Resources
- 4R eLearning courses: Fertilizer Canada’s eLearning provides continuing education with the goal to provide formal training to be seen as the source for information on fertilizer safety and nutrient management.
Learn how many of Manitoba’s acres are under the 4R Designation Program.
Learn more about the 4R Designation Program
A guide for growers who are interested in implementing 4R’s in their operation.
Guidance as to what might be considered 4R consistent practices in different Canadian cropping systems, and some guidance on what would be generally considered less sustainable practices.