New Prairie Nutrient Removal Calculator features updated data

May 12, 2023

A new online tool is available for farmers focusing on the nutrient requirements of key crops grown in Western Canada.

University of Saskatchewan scientists Dr Fran Walley and Dr Rich Farrell worked with a team across the prairies to collect data focusing on the nutrient uptake and removal for commonly grown crops.

Walley says we know how valuable nutrient removal guidelines are, but the most recent guidelines available were from 2001.

"A lot has changed in the last few decade, different crops, genetics, management strategies and crop rotations, and so we set about to revise the existing guidelines to ensure the information was more relevant and reflective for today."

Farrell says the updated data is part of the new Prairie Nutrient Removal Calculator.

"If you want to keep from depleting the nutrients in your soil, or even to maybe build some nutrients in your soil it's a good idea to know how much is coming off. This in conjunction with soil testing can give you an idea of how much to add back to the soil so that you can produce the crop."

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Video: Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard

On Friday, April 24, 2026, from 12 noon–1:00 ET, the Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law, alongside the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s (PDA) Agricultural Business Development Center (ABDC), presented this webinar in the Understanding Agricultural Law Educational Series, a course designed to develop subject matter literacy and competence on fundamental issues of agricultural law for attorneys and business advisors who work with or represent agricultural or rural clients but may not necessarily specialize in agricultural law:

“Understanding the Basics of the Renewable Fuel Standard”

The Clean Air Act’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program requires transportation fuel sold in the United States to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, or advanced biofuels. Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and later expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the RFS is implemented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

This webinar provides an overview of the legal authority and structure for the RFS program and explain how it works, including the program’s system of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) and categories of renewable fuels. Additionally, this webinar addresses EPA annual volume requirement rulemaking and associated recent legal issues.