Over application of fertilizer increases the potential for nutrient losses, including runoff, volatile ammonia emissions, and denitrification while also reducing profitability for the farmer. The Mosaic Company supports and promotes 4R Nutrient Stewardship, a science-based framework to utilize the Right nutrient source, at the Right rate, at the Right time, and in the Right place.
By educating farmers on best management practices for fertilizer use, more food is grown with fewer resources. Investing in fertilizer technology allows for the most effective and efficient utilization of nutrients. Incremental adoption of 4R practices increases crop yields and profitability while minimizing runoff, ammonification, and de-nitrification that are detrimental to the environment.
Since 2012, 100 farmers and retailers have been recognized as 4R Advocates by implementing and sharing 4R principles impacting over 246,000 acres across 25 states in the US.
Using soil testing to understand the distribution of nutrients in a field allows a farmer to apply fertilizer at the right amount and in the correct areas. They are incorporating 4R methods that allowed this Illinois farmer to decrease costs per acre between $16.49 and $25.31 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions (CO2E) by 34.7 percent from 9.4 CO2E per bushel to 6.14 CO2E per bushel. Making 4R innovation accessible for producers is beneficial for everyone. Producers spend less and make more money while also being good stewards of the land.
What do 4R Practices look like on a farm?
4R in Illinois:
A young no-till corn farmer from central Illinois began incorporating advanced 4Rs practices from 2014 to 2020. The farm started to incorporate variable rate technology, a tool that helped this farmer apply different amounts of phosphorus and potassium based on the field’s soil needs. Instead of applying all of the needed nitrogen at planting which causes rapid nitrogen volatilization and runoff, this farmer changed their practices to in-season applied nitrogen which means less nitrogen applied at one given time but multiple applications. In-season nitrogen application leads to better nutrient efficiency, less runoff, ammonia emissions, and de-nitrification. By using soil testing to understand the distribution of nutrients in a field, a farmer can apply fertilizer at the right amount and in the correct areas. Incorporating 4R methods allowed this Illinois farmer to decrease costs per acre between $16.49 and $25.31, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions(CO2E) by 34.7 percent from 9.4 CO2E per bushel to 6.14 CO2E per bushel.
4R in Florida:
For over 15 years, a potato grower in Florida has been implementing intermediate 4R practices. In the last several years, this grower decided to move on to more advanced practices as technology and knowledge improved through relationships with a nearby land grant university. Fertilizer placement was a major focus, using new equipment to directly inject both dry and liquid fertilizer near the plant root into the soil rather than broadcasting it. New sources used included Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) which provide slow and controlled release technologies that reduce nutrient losses and increase nutrient use efficiencies in the crop.
4R in Louisiana:
A multi-generational family farm in Louisiana produces cotton in rotation with multiple crops with a focus on sustainability and soil health. With the 4R principles, the operation has been increasing conservation tillage, cover crops, and zone management. Between 2014 and 2017 the farm changed equipment for planting and in-season nutrient applications and implemented variable rate fertilizer applications based on zone soil sampling. The average cost per acre in 2014 for nutrient application was $107 and decreased to $76 in 2017. The overall impact resulted in higher nutrient use efficiency and a lower cost.
