What The Agricultural Industry Is Doing Now
A Focus On “Nutrient Service Providers”
Douglas Busdeker
The Andersons, Inc.
&
Ohio AgriBusiness Association
4R’s
A management strategy!
THE BASIC SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES OF
MANAGING CROP NUTRIENTS ARE UNIVERSAL
1. Consider all essential elements
2. Consider all nutrient sources
3. Provide nutrients plants can use
1. Soil test
2. Tri-State recommendation
3. Economic considerations
4. Consider Cost-Benefit
5 Production History
1. Assess timing of crop uptake
2. Apply close to crop use
3. Consider environmental loss
1.
2.
3.
4.
Consider where roots grow
Place nutrients to benefit plants
Fit needs of tillage system
Manage spatial variability
4R Nutrient Stewardship
Building public trust
4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program
Who - Nutrient Service Providers (NSP)
Ag Retailers
Certified Crop Advisors
Crop Consultants
Certified Agronomists
Not Farmers
What is 4R Certification?
A Focused on Nutrient Service Providers
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•
•
•
•
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Education
Record Keeping
4R Nutrient Stewardship Implementation
Private 3rd Party Evaluation
Continual Improvement
Assurance of BMP’s
Ag Retailers
Crop Advisers
Service Providers
Why - 4R Certification Program
NSP influence at the farm gate
Supports all 4R Nutrient Stewardship
concepts.
Assures NSP is trained in 4R’s
Assures nutrient use follows 4R’s
Can influence use of improved BMP’s
Initial focus Western Lake Erie Basin
Launched in March of 2014
Why do we need PHOSPHORUS
• One of 17 Essential Nutrients for Plant Growth.
Commercial fertilizer is responsible for 40 to 60% of the world’s food supply.
OPTIMUM LEVEL FOR BRAY P1 SOILTEST 20-25 PPM
OHIO POTASSIUM AND PHOSPHORUS CONSUMPTION
P2O5
K2O
Fertilizer tons x1000
500
400
300
200
100
Year
Source: AAPFCO
2011
2008
2005
2002
1999
1996
1993
1990
1987
1984
1981
1978
1975
0
OTHER ACTIVITIES IN WLEB
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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Cover Crops
Buffer strips
OSU/ARS “Edge of Field Study”
Drainage Control Structures
Strip Tillage
Gypsum
Soil Health focus
Nutrient Efficiency Enhancers
OHIO LEGISLATIVE EFFORT
Senate Bill 1
Senate Bill 150
April 2, 2015
May 2014
Agricultural Pollution Abatement
Fertilizer Application Certification
• Ohio Law
• WLEB – Rivers
Specified
• Application -Frozen,
Snow Covered or
Saturated Soils
• >1” rain fall in 24 Hrs.
• Ohio Law
• Mandatory
Certification
• Anyone that
applies fertilizer
>50 Acres
• Application Only
SB150 & SB 1 were fully supported by the Ohio AgriBusiness Association
The American Farmer is the best steward of the land..!
Adaptive
Agriculture!
Today’s Farmer Feeds 155 people world wide
1960 – 25 people
1940 – 19 people
Thank You!
Clean Water
Clean Lakes
Improved Crops