4R Nutrient Stewardship—A Framework to Plant By this Spring

OABA Encourages Ag Retailers to Keep the 4Rs in Mind as Planting Season Approaches

As the Ohio agricultural industry steps up to be part of the water quality solution across the state, 4R Nutrient Stewardship is helping lead the way. 4R nutrient stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping system goals, such as increased production, increased farmer profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability.

To achieve those goals, the 4R concept incorporates the:

1. Right fertilizer source at the
2. Right rate, at the
3. Right time and in the
4. Right place

There is no single practice to solve the problem. Each farm has different circumstances such as soil type, surface drainage, tile drainage, soil test levels, and tillage programs, which can be modified to make a difference. This is where ag retailers have the opportunity to step up and help farmers make the right decisions to protect water quality and keep phosphorous in the field. The following are a few tips as the spring planting season approaches:

• Do not schedule phosphorus applications when soils are frozen during mid-winter.
• Do not schedule phosphorus applications when soils are snow covered.
• Soil test to determine nutrient requirements for the next crop.
• Consider all nutrients sources available to the crop when deciding on how much to apply.
• Inject or incorporate phosphorus when possible.
• Avoid spreading phosphorus near tile stand pipes or surface drains.
• For low-lying fields that are prone to flooding, delay application to just before planting and either incorporate, band-place, or inject.
• Include starter phosphorus or row fertilizer phosphorus wherever practical.
• Schedule phosphorus broadcast applications when shallow tillage is possible for conventional/reduced tillage programs.
• Schedule phosphorus applications for no-till programs as close to crop utilization as practical.
• Do not schedule phosphorus applications just prior to heavy rainfall.
• Keep fertilizer phosphorus out of ditches, streams and waterways while making application.

Utilizing the 4Rs, the Ohio agricultural industry can minimize nutrient runoff into Ohio’s waterways; maximize yields, efficiency and profitability; and lead the way in solving Ohio’s water quality challenges. To learn more about 4R Nutrient Management go to http://www.nutrientstewardship.com/.