Released on May 1, 2018
The Government of Saskatchewan and Fertilizer Canada signed a three-year extension to their 2016 Memorandum of Co-operation (MOC) in support of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®).4R Nutrient Stewardship is a world-leading, Canadian-made program that allows producers to grow more food using existing farmland and ensures the protection of the environment and has the capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer use by 15 to 25 per cent. Fertilizer retailers and farmers across Canada have adopted this framework to achieve efficiency while maintaining our soil, air and water.
“As one of Canada’s largest crop-producing provinces, creating opportunities for farmers to access sustainable agriculture practices is critical,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “Many Saskatchewan farmers have adopted 4R practices in their nutrient management plans. The continuation of this partnership will support more of our province’s 35 million acres of cropland to be environmentally-responsible by implementing the 4R framework.”
“Fertilizer is essential to sustainable crop production,” Fertilizer Canada President and CEO Garth Whyte said. “Saskatchewan farmers who implement a 4R nutrient management plan can increase productivity, decrease losses to the environment and grow more food to feed Canadians and the world.”
During the pilot year of the MOC between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fertilizer Canada, 17 4R demonstration farms across the province showcased how the application of 4R Nutrient Stewardship can deliver growers with economic, environmental and social returns.
Over the next three years, the province and Fertilizer Canada will work to expand the 4R program to include access to training and education with a new Saskatchewan-focused 4R Nutrient Stewardship eLearning training course and a 4R Nutrient Management Specialty Certification for Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs). CCAs with the 4R Specialty Certification are able to advise farmers on best practices under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework, encouraging implementation across all managed acres.
More information on 4R Nutrient Stewardship and sustainable farming in Saskatchewan can be found at https://fertilizercanada.ca/nutrient-stewardship/4rs-across-canada/saskatchewan/.
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For more information, contact:
Lauren Golosky
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: lauren.golosky@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-520-7420
Kelly McCarthy
Fertilizer Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-786-3035
Email: kmccarthy@fertilizercanada.ca