Sustainability — the idea of meeting today’s needs while ensuring those of tomorrow — is intrinsic to family farming. So it was a natural move for a young corn farmer in Iowa to become an early adopter of 4R nutrient stewardship — Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place. Seeing the benefits of these practices, the farmer was convinced to invest further in the farm and made advanced leaps in adoption of 4R conservation farming practices.
These practices included a focus on timing of fertilizer application and the incorporation of advanced strip-till practices, which provide benefits that:
- Control runoff
- Promote healthy microbial life
- Provide a strong rooting environment
- Contribute to proper organic levels and neutral soil pH
The returns were immediate. When moving from intermediate to advanced 4R practices, a slight increase in overall cost justified increased nitrogen use efficiency over multiple years. Moreover, this cost was recouped by the third year of implementing advanced 4R practices. But perhaps most important are the considerable environmental benefits that have accrued over a four year period. Clearly a win-win for the family farm and the environment.
Source: www.4rfarming.org/case_studies/iowa/
Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE)
Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) measures the amount of nitrogen used per unit of crop yield. A farmer that is able to use less nitrogen to produce the same amount of crop will have a smaller (better) NUE compared to a farmer with higher nitrogen use rates and equivalent yields.
Yield per
Acre
There are many factors and practices that impact yield per acre. The farmer in this case study was employing other practices in addition to the 4Rs that could have impacted his yield.
Nitrogen Application Rate
2014 data for the nitrogen application rate was not available.