Investing In Sustainability And Profitability With The 4Rs
The 4Rs of nutrient stewardship provide growers with an easy-to-understand framework that can increase productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The framework is rooted in understanding your crop’s needs and optimizing nutrient applications.
Our Smart Stewardship video series breaks down the different elements of the 4R nutrient stewardship program and takes a deeper look at the benefits of implementing the framework.
This science-based approach to best management practices (BMPs) in crop nutrition aligns a grower’s fertilizer inputs and nutrient supply with the requirements of the crops. This investment in nutrient management minimizes nutrient loss and optimizes fertilizer use.
The 4Rs framework is based on using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. When the framework is implemented, our society, the economy, and the environment all stand to benefit. The 4Rs help prevent loss for growers, increase sustainability, and create a great financial return.
Growers who implement 4R nutrient management tend to see higher returns on their investments. As they optimize their inputs by selecting ideal fertilizers and application rates, they create long-term environmental and financial sustainability. It’s all about creating the 4R program that best suits you, your farm, and your crop needs; which in turn creates sustainability and longevity on the farm.
The Right Source
- One of the most important aspects of the 4R program is using the right source of nutrients. This means ensuring that you are not over, or under, supplying nutrients and that your fertilizer lines up with your soil test results.
The Right Rate
- Applying your fertilizer at the right rate is a crucial step in developing a sustainable nutrient management plan. It refers to how much you are putting out into the field (usually measured in pounds per acre). To strategically pick the right rate, reflect on the results from your soil test, look back at what crops you grew last year, consider nutrient removal rates, and look at how much fertilizer you used. This is a great place to start identifying what you have in your soil and how many pounds per acre you will need.
The Right Time
- It’s extremely important to apply your fertilizer at the right time. When you add fertilizer when the plant can’t readily use it, you risk losing it to the environment, which negatively affects sustainability and return on investment (ROI). When you have a better understanding of your plant’s uptake, you can line up the timing of the application to reduce the risk of loss and more efficiently use your fertilizer.
The Right Place
- The right place may seem obvious; however, there are a lot of options. Finding the right place depends on the amount, and the kind, of fertilizer you use. The right place refers to applying nutrients where crops can best use them (i.e. banding, broadcast).
Make the most out of your fertilizer dollar with a focus on efficiency and sustainability with 4R nutrient management.
