by: Jeff Crissinger
VP of Agronomy sales / marketing
Currently NuWay-K&H Cooperative is going through an audit to become one of the first cooperatives in Minnesota to become 4R certified in Nutrient Stewardship at the company level.
The 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program encourages ag retailers to adopt and utilize best management practices through the “4R’s”, which refers to using the Right Source of nutrients at the Right Rate and Right Time in the Right Place. This approach provides a science-based framework for sustained crop production. Minnesota is one of six states to offer the 4R Certification Program, which it began offering in 2020, and the program is governed by the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Council along with the Minnesota Crop Production Retailers organization.
NuWay-K&H Cooperative already participates in the 4R mindset when making crop nutrient recommendations and provides many products and services that support the 4R’s as well, so becoming certified only makes sense. In particular however for the audit there are 19 specific evaluation criteria broken down into 3 primary categories.
Training and Education:
It is important that all staff members at NuWay-K&H Cooperative that work with crop nutrients are trained and are aware of proper 4R techniques, and that they are able to demonstrate knowledge about the program. Attending meetings and educational events or becoming CCA certified are examples of ways that staff members can be trained in the 4R’s. This standard includes staff members at Soilview, the organization that collects our soil tests for us.
Documentation and Recordkeeping:
Maintaining proper records related to various aspects of crop nutrient application is a very important part of becoming 4R certified. Keeping accessible copies of national, state, and local laws related to nutrient recommendations and applications is required, as are equipment calibration logs, application records, and nutrient sources available, including manure if utilized. Field, crop, soil test, and yield goal information for nutrient recommendations must also be available and shown to have been used when making product and rate recommendations.
Recommendations:
In particular, best management practices related to phosphorus and nitrogen applications are paid special attention, with the recommendation of proper stabilizers for these nutrients being implemented and communicated to the growers when appropriate. Proper timing of nutrient application is also important relative to environmental conditions. Application of anhydrous ammonia below a soil temperature of 50 degrees would be an example of proper timing. Applied rates for all nutrients should adhere to land-grant university guidelines or be based off of adaptive management techniques when detailed field information is available, and VRT fertilizer is recognized as a best management practice to implement for improved nutrient use efficiency.
Becoming 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certified is not just a one-time event for NuWay-K&H Cooperative. As part of this program, there is ongoing training that is necessary along with continued audits over time to ensure that we are staying up to date with any changing crop nutrient best management practices. Our Agronomy department is committed to being a leader in the space not just in the near term, but long term as well in order to positively represent ourselves in the industry and be recognized for the innovative products, services, and practices.