The Feed

Last week, representatives from The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) staffed a booth at the Commodity Classic trade show. The Classic brings together corn, soybean, wheat, and sorghum growers from around the country – which provides TFI a great opportunity to engage with growers regarding 4R nutrient stewardship (implementation of best management practices that address the right source at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place).

The reactive nitrogen issue began in earnest with a jointly authored paper in Science magazine trumpeting the exponential increase in reactive nitrogen release(s) to the environment since 1950.  The article drew a line out to 2050 predicting further and alarming increases in N release.  Just for background, reactive nitrogen is any form of N except N2; or the atmospheric form.

I am continually pointing out that feeding a growing population will require enhanced efficiency in agriculture. Of course, a key component in meeting this challege is the use of fertilizer in a sustainable agricultural system based on the 4R's of nutrient stewardship (use of the right nutrient source at the right time, the right rate and in the right place). Through this, farmers can meet environmental, economic and social goals.

Fertilizer is a component of sustainable crop production, and TFI recognizes that in excess, nutrients can contribute to pollution. If overused or incorrectly applied, fertilizer nutrients will negatively impact the environment and the community – not to mention the grower’s pocketbook. Conversely, if we under use nutrients, we remove more nutrients than we add, reduce yields, and reduce farm livelihoods.