Supply Chain Partnerships

SWCS Annual Conference 

July 28th, 2014

Our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends

We pursue non-confrontational, pragmatic

solutions to conservation challenges.

Patagonia grasslands, Argentina ©Bridget Besaw

The Nature Conservancy has helped protect 

more than  119 million acres of land worldwide.

River leading to Iliamna Lake, Alaska habitat the gravel bottoms provide habitat for king salmon ©Ami Vitale

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A Title

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A Title

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The agricultural challenge: Feeding humanity while conserving nature

Sustainable Intensification of Agriculture

Global Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Irrigation Use

Dead Zones of the World

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Major known eutrophic and hypoxic areas. Reprinted from Selman et al. 

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9.0 9.3

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1980 1990 2000 2010

billi

on b

ushe

ls c

orn

and

mill

ion

tons

nut

rient

(N, P

2O5,

K2O

) Corn Production Nutrient Use on Corn

Source: Computed by TFI from data reported by NASS, USDA.

+87%

- 4%

U.S. Corn Production and Nutrient Use on Corn

4R Nutrient Stewardship

Sustainability

A management strategy

WLEB 4R Certification

Supply Chain Initiatives: Field to Market 

What is the Fieldprint Calculator?

An online education tool for row crop farmers that indexes their agronomics and practices to a fieldprint

Helps growers evaluate their farming decisions and compare their sustainability performance 

– In the areas of:• Land use• Soil conservation• Soil carbon• Water use• Energy use• Greenhouse gas emissions• Water Quality• Biodiversity in development

– Against:• Their own fields• Their own performance over time

• County, state and national averages

Fieldprint Calculator Summary Page

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Sample Results:Resources per bushel, Soybeans

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A Closer LookSoybean Results: Soil Erosion

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• Total soil erosion decreased over most of the study period, but has increased more recently (similar for corn)

• Per acre soil erosion decreased during first half of study period, then leveled off (similar for corn, cotton, and wheat)

TOTAL PER ACRE PER BUSHEL

Top Down

Bottom Up

Supply Chain Alignment

Supply chain engagements, growing region/ watershed scale

Field scale metrics, tools & pilots

4R

© Scott Warren

Questions?