Canola 4R Advantage offers incentives to increase value and efficiency of nitrogen use

August 11, 2022 – Today the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) unveiled a new program offering financial support to help growers initiate or advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship on canola acres.

The program, named Canola 4R Advantage, will reimburse growers for up to 85 per cent of eligible costs, up to $12,000 per farm per year. Funding for Canola 4R Advantage has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).

“Canadian canola growers are leaders in sustainability, and we’re excited to launch this program to keep building on this excellent track record,” says Jim Everson, CCC president. “Expanding the use of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is an important opportunity to improve fertilizer efficiency, which is good for both farm productivity and the environment.”

The CCC has chosen to focus its program on precise, efficient and sustainable nitrogen management using 4R principles. “4R practices help growers ensure they apply the right source of fertilizer at the right rate, right time and right place for optimal results,” says Charles Fossay, canola grower near Starbuck, Manitoba and director of Manitoba Canola Growers and CCC. “This maximizes the crop’s access to nutrients while minimizing any losses as nitrous oxide emissions.”

Canola 4R Advantage will provide incentives for canola growers to use best management practices (BMPs) in four areas: soil testing, enhanced efficiency fertilizers, preferred application and field zone mapping. To be eligible for these incentives, a grower must have a 4R Nutrient Stewardship plan that has been verified by a Certified Crop Adviser or Professional Agrologist who has earned the 4R designation from Fertilizer Canada.  

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