69th SWCS International Annual Conference July 27-30, 2014 Lombard, IL

1. 4R Nutrient Stewardship
Certification in Lake
Erie Watershed
Joe Nester, Nester Ag LLC
John Oster, Morral Companies LLC
Mark Smith, USDA-NRCS Ohio
Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, The Nature Conservancy

3. Western Lake Erie Basin

5. Nutrient loading

6. “70-80% of the Lake Erie phosphorus load comes from
agriculture.”
Dr. David Baker, NCWQR Heidelberg
“50-60% of the phosphorus load comes from agriculture.”
Joe Depinto, Limnotech
90% of the water feeding Lake Erie comes down the Detroit
River but only 3-5% of the phosphorus load.
Only 5% of the water flowing into Lake Erie comes down the
Maumee River but includes 80% of the phosphorus load.

7. July 30, 2011
Cumulative Impacts

8. August 16, 2011
Cumulative Impacts

9. August 19, 2011
Cumulative Impacts

10. October 2011
Cumulative Impacts

11. For People and Nature…

13. How Do People React?

14. 4R Nutrient Stewardship
Sustainability
A management strategy

15. 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification
Program Continually Developing

22. Attention Agronomy Majors
• Particulate
Phosphorus
• Dissolved Reactive
Phosphorus

26. 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification
Program Advisory Committee

27. Who –
Nutrient Service Providers (NSP)
Ag Retailers
Certified Crop Advisors
Crop Consultants
Certified Agronomists
Voluntary Participation

28. Training and Education
1. Certified Professional
2. Initial Training and 5 CEUs every 2 yrs
3. Provide 4R materials for all
growers/customers
4. Sponsor training for growers/customers

29. Right Source
What is the Risk?
Blend Compatibility
Does it fit your Soils
Credit Previous Crop/ Manure

30. Right Rate
Soil Test- Be Representative!
Know Your Inventories
Address Soil Health
Maintain Lime for Efficiency

31. Right Rate
VRT
Adaptive Management
Evaluate Yields
Realistic Yield Goals

32. Right Time
What is the Risk?
Watch the Weather
Soluble Sources
If >1/2” in 12 hours- delay
Incorporation

33. Right Time
Sensitive Areas
No Frozen Ground
No Snow Cover
After Planting
To a Growing Crop

34. Right Place
VRT
Setbacks
Starter
Soil Contact
Strip or Band

35. What is 4R Certification?
 Education - CCA
 Record Keeping
 4R Nutrient Stewardship Implemented
 Private 3rd Party Evaluation
 Continual Improvement
Ag Retailers
Crop Advisers
Service Providers

36. Structure to Achieve 4R Consistency
during Implementation
 Education
 Record Keeping
 Assessment
 Federal/State Laws Followed
 Annual Review
 Private, 3rd party validation

37. Education
 Problem Recognition
 Existing Best Management Practices
 Research & Science Based BMP’s
 Retailer’s influence on customers
 Certified Crop Advisor “CCA” conduit
 Agronomic and application decision making
 Applicator Training
 Research based nutrient recommendations
 Solution Implementation

38. Timeline
 July 2013: 4 Pilot Audits (Certifications)-
Completed
 August: 4R Advisory Committee Review -
Completed
 Fall 2013/Winter 2014: Promotion and Launch of
Audit Program - Completed
 Summer of 2014: Audit program Begins –
Underway, 4 of 49 audits completed
Fall of 2014: NSC Certification - Pending

39. 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification
Program Application

41. Req. No. Requirement
Audit
Year
1.1.1 *
Nutrient Service Providers, sales, and application staff have
undergone an initial training and are able to demonstrate
knowledge about 4R Nutrient Stewardship and the 4R
Certification Program.
1
1.2.1
Certified professionals must have current certification in good
standing.
1
2.1.1
Nutrient Service Provider records the recommendation given
to the grower customer and track application with annual
summary totals of fertilizer products applied on custom
applied acres.
1
2.1.2
Minimum records kept include: number of acres serviced with
recommendations and custom application and number of
grower customers in the program.
1
3.1.1 *
Nutrient Service Provider maintains records related to all
growers’ nutrient recommendations/applications.
1

42. Anticipated Results
 Improved water quality
 Reduced phosphorus loading
 Reduced harmful algal blooms
 Agriculture is seen as “doing its part”
 Growers apply less nutrient
 Fertility is maintained
 Maximum economic yields are achieved
 Environmental, social and economic solutions
occur
 A WIN for all stakeholders

44. Triple Bottom Line Evaluation

45. Coming to a watershed near you?

46. Continually Developing 4R Nutrient
Stewardship Certification

47. Lake Erie - 2014

49. Who has funded the development of the 4R
Certification Program?

50. Clean Water
Clean Lakes
Improved Crops
www.4Rcertified.org