4 r nutrient stewardship certifcation
DESCRIPTION
69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, ILTRANSCRIPT
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification in Lake
Erie Watershed
Joe Nester, Nester Ag LLCJohn Oster, Morral Companies LLCMark Smith, USDA-NRCS OhioCarrie Vollmer-Sanders, The Nature Conservancy
Western Lake Erie Basin
Nutrient loading
“70-80% of the Lake Erie phosphorus load comes from agriculture.” Dr. David Baker, NCWQR Heidelberg
“50-60% of the phosphorus load comes from agriculture.” Joe Depinto, Limnotech
90% of the water feeding Lake Erie comes down the Detroit River but only 3-5% of the phosphorus load.
Only 5% of the water flowing into Lake Erie comes down the Maumee River but includes 80% of the phosphorus load.
July 30, 2011
Cumulative Impacts
August 16, 2011
Cumulative Impacts
August 19, 2011
Cumulative Impacts
October 2011
Cumulative Impacts
For People and Nature…
How Do People React?
4R Nutrient Stewardship
Sustainability
A management strategy
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Continually Developing
Attention Agronomy Majors
• Particulate Phosphorus
• Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Advisory Committee
Who –Nutrient Service Providers (NSP)
Ag RetailersCertified Crop AdvisorsCrop ConsultantsCertified Agronomists
Voluntary Participation
Training and Education1. Certified Professional 2. Initial Training and 5 CEUs every 2 yrs3. Provide 4R materials for all
growers/customers4. Sponsor training for growers/customers
Right Source
What is the Risk?Blend CompatibilityDoes it fit your SoilsCredit Previous Crop/ Manure
Right Rate
Soil Test- Be Representative!Know Your InventoriesAddress Soil Health Maintain Lime for Efficiency
Right Rate
VRTAdaptive ManagementEvaluate YieldsRealistic Yield Goals
Right Time
What is the Risk?Watch the WeatherSoluble Sources If >1/2” in 12 hours- delay Incorporation
Right Time
Sensitive AreasNo Frozen GroundNo Snow CoverAfter PlantingTo a Growing Crop
Right Place
VRTSetbacksStarterSoil ContactStrip or Band
What is 4R Certification? Education - CCA Record Keeping 4R Nutrient Stewardship Implemented Private 3rd Party Evaluation Continual Improvement
Ag RetailersCrop Advisers
Service Providers
Structure to Achieve 4R Consistency during Implementation
Education Record Keeping Assessment Federal/State Laws Followed Annual Review Private, 3rd party validation
Education Problem Recognition Existing Best Management Practices Research & Science Based BMP’s Retailer’s influence on customers Certified Crop Advisor “CCA” conduit Agronomic and application decision making Applicator Training Research based nutrient recommendations Solution Implementation
Timeline July 2013: 4 Pilot Audits (Certifications)-
Completed August: 4R Advisory Committee Review -
Completed Fall 2013/Winter 2014: Promotion and Launch of
Audit Program - Completed Summer of 2014: Audit program Begins –
Underway, 4 of 49 audits completed Fall of 2014: NSC Certification - Pending
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program Application
Req. No. Requirement Audit Year
1.1.1 *
Nutrient Service Providers, sales, and application staff have undergone an initial training and are able to demonstrate knowledge about 4R Nutrient Stewardship and the 4R Certification Program.
1
1.2.1 Certified professionals must have current certification in good standing. 1
2.1.1
Nutrient Service Provider records the recommendation given to the grower customer and track application with annual summary totals of fertilizer products applied on custom applied acres.
1
2.1.2Minimum records kept include: number of acres serviced with recommendations and custom application and number of grower customers in the program.
1
3.1.1 * Nutrient Service Provider maintains records related to all growers’ nutrient recommendations/applications. 1
Anticipated Results
Improved water quality Reduced phosphorus loading Reduced harmful algal blooms Agriculture is seen as “doing its part” Growers apply less nutrient Fertility is maintained Maximum economic yields are achieved Environmental, social and economic solutions
occur A WIN for all stakeholders
Triple Bottom Line Evaluation
Coming to a watershed near you?
Continually Developing 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification
Lake Erie - 2014
Who has funded the development of the 4R Certification Program?
Clean WaterClean Lakes
Improved Crops
www.4Rcertified.org