Saskatchewan has renewed its commitment to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program for three years.
A memorandum of co-operation with Fertilizer Canada was signed in 2016 to support education, training and expansion of the fertilizer management program that advocates right source, right rate, right time and right place.
Saskatchewan accounts for 46 percent of all the 4R designated land in Western Canada.
Agriculture minister David Marit said more producers adopt the best management practice each year. 4R plays a role in reducing emissions from fertilizer and helps meet environmental sustainability goals.
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“Co-operating with Fertilizer Canada is a powerful way to encourage more producer participation, driving growth and, most importantly, increase environmental sustainability solutions, farm-by-farm, across the province,” he said.
The province’s Climate Resilience Measurement Framework uses land under 4R stewardship as a measurement of progress. The goal is to have 25 percent of the province’s cropland designated 4R by 2025.
According to the agriculture ministry, about 6.3 percent of Saskatchewan’s seeded acres, or 2.4 million acres, are formally designated now, up from 0.3 percent in 2019. However, the number of producers using the principles, as well as the acreage, would be much higher.
Fertilizer Canada president Karen Proud said extending the agreement with the province will have a positive impact on the environment.
Earlier this year Ontario and Prince Edward Island also made 4R commitments.
Saskatchewan has an advisory committee to help promote the adoption of 4R. It also encouraged the practice in 20 Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) projects underway at field research sites around the province and offered funding for variable rate mapping through the Farm Stewardship Program.
