Manitoba Agriculture says its new fertilizer efficiency tool will help farmers hone in on exactly how much of the nutrient they’re applying is doing its job, and how much is wastage.
The department launched the digital tool on Jan. 17 during Manitoba Ag Days.
“Our government recognizes producers face historically high fertilizer prices, highly variable grain prices, increased focus on environmental impacts of fertilizer use and the need to integrate, recalibrate and optimize all these variables in order to maintain farm profitability,” Ag Minister Derek Johnson said.
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“We created this calculator so that producers, agronomists and industry partners can quickly and easily assess the financial benefits to improving fertilizer management practices.”
The tool is based on Microsoft Excel software. Users can plug in their farm’s soil test results, soil moisture zone, target crop, target yield, timing, application method and use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, fertilizer rate and cost among other values.
The tool will compare the farmer’s plan to the most and least efficient fertilizer application cost and net profit per acre. Application recommendations are generated based on data provided by the farmer, along with tailored gauges of cost efficiency, greenhouse gas efficiency and maximum yield and profit.
Johnson linked the tool to the 4R philosophy of nutrient management, a philosophy that has been pushed by the province as well as farm groups such as the Keystone Agricultural Producers.
The philosophy pushes producers to manage nutrients based on the right rate, source, placement and timing to reduce waste and reduce needless input cost. It has, accordingly, also taken a starring role in the conversation around reducing fertilizer emissions.
Karen Proud, CEO of Fertilizer Canada, called Manitoba “a longstanding champion of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program as a key driver for increased production and reduced environmental impact.”
“This calculator helps address barriers to adoption of the 4R program by helping farmers understand the value these practices can provide to their bottom line and the environment,” she said.
For more on this story, see the Jan. 26 edition of the Manitoba Co-operator.
