Free course provides CCAs with two continuing education credits
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Fertilizer Canada, in partnership with the New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association (NBSCIA), launched a new eLearning course in New Brunswick focusing on nutrient management.
4R Nutrient Stewardship in New Brunswick helps the ag community use regional best management practices, with a specific focus on nitrogen and phosphorous.
“Education on 4R Nutrient Stewardship is paramount to obtaining agricultural sustainability in this province,” Walter Brown, CCA and 4R agronomist with NBSCIA, said in a release. “A broader understanding of the local application of the 4R program will ensure nutrients are managed more sustainably on our farmland.”
There are a total of 17 free courses. They can provide CCAs with two continuing education credits and assist growers into getting value for every dollar spent on fertilizer.
In 2015, Fertilizer Canada had five local producers with different crops participate in demonstration trials which included integrating side-dress, split applications and tissue sampling.
“By monitoring the success of 4R Nutrient Stewardship BMPs that were incorporated into the trial sites, the benefits of making nutrient management decisions based on the Right Source, Rate, Time, and Place were demonstrated under New Brunswick conditions,” reads a report of the trial findings.
Fertilizer Canada’s ultimate goal is to increase the number of farmers across the country who practice 4R nutrient management.
“On a greater scale, 4R Nutrient Stewardship balances farmer, industry and government goals to improve agricultural sustainability,” Garth Whyte, president & CEO, Fertilizer Canada, said in the release. “Collaborating with the New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association will help us reach our target of 20 million acres under 4R Nutrient Stewardship across the country by 2020.”