Helping Farmland
Flourish

Applying nutrients correctly has a variety of benefits. Most importantly, it creates the best possible conditions for plants to grow.

scroll

This increases yields and maximizes growers’ productivity. It also minimizes the chances of runoff into water supplies.

That’s why CF is committed to helping share knowledge on how to properly manage plant nutrients. In the U.S., we support Field to Market®, which offers a Fieldprint® calculator that estimates field-level performance of sustainability indicators such as land use, water quality and greenhouse gas emissions. We’re also partnering with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Iowa to enhance farmers' knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices. TNC has long provided on-the-ground technical assistance to Iowa farmers and partners to implement in-field, edge-of-field and in-stream conservation practices. A substantial grant to TNC from CF is funding a campaign, known as “4R Plus,” based on the 4Rs of nutrient management. The campaign aims to educate 90,000 farmers responsible for 23 million acres of crops, while creating a sustainable agriculture blueprint that can be applied to other states. Throughout the campaign, we’re working closely with stakeholders including fertilizer manufacturers and retailers, government, academics, agriculture groups and farmers to advance the overall goal of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS): a 45 percent reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the state’s waters.

What IOWA Farmers
Told Us

30%

Considering new conservation
practices in the next
three years

37%

Consider cost a barrier
to conservation practices

15%

Have heard the term “4R”

1.5%

Could accurately name
the 4R components

Applying fertilizers in the most efficient way can help all farmers manage their environmental impact. It also helps them get the best possible return on their investments. Farmers should focus on four things:

  • RIGHT
    SOURCE

    Matching fertilizer type to what crops need, whether root development, water balance or protein

  • RIGHT
    TIME

    Applying nutrients at the optimal time, considering soil temperature and weather conditions

  • RIGHT
    RATE

    Delivering the right amount of fertilizer based on existing levels of other plant nutrients in soil

  • RIGHT
    Place

    Placing fertilizer for maximum uptake by plants to optimize yields

Our campaign with The Nature Conservancy, known as “4R Plus,” is focused on the 4Rs and empowering farmers with tools to implement various conservation practices. For example, planting cover crops in between growing season helps restore lost nutrients to soil. Restoration of oxbow wetlands – streams that become cut off from their channels – reduces nitrates in water and decreases flood risk.

Estimated NOx Removed by Using
CF Urea Products
(Metric Tonnes)

Source: ClimeCo; Internal CF Data

During 2016, TNC and CF worked to obtain a baseline of farmer knowledge and attitudes toward nutrient manage-ment, the 4Rs and soil health. The results revealed ample opportunities for our campaign to make a difference by enhancing farmers' knowledge.

For example, farmers cited cost as a major barrier to implementing new agronomic and conservation practices, even though applying the 4Rs can help them control costs by purchasing no more fertilizer than necessary and by maximizing yields. Many respondents also were unaware of ways to improve their practices, but described a desire to cultivate healthy soils and leave land in the best possible shape for future generations.

These findings underscore the importance of our work in Iowa and beyond. We look forward to our continued work with TNC to empower farmers – and to improve soil health and minimize environmental impacts in Iowa and beyond.