4R nutrient stewardship program a success

Title

Abstract

Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] PEI is the first province to participate in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program that is led by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. Island partners in the the program include the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, PEI Federation of Agriculture, PEI Potato Board, and the Kensington North Watershed Association. In 2013 the program contracted with Steve Watts of Genesis Crop Systems Inc. to conduct 5 demonstration trials on potato farms in West Cape, Lower Montague, Indian River and North Bedeque. Watt assessed the existing nutrient management programs on those farms and suggested ways for improvement. Field tests showed increased yields in weight and quality after Watt's recommendations were implemented. Gary Linkletter, chair of the PEI Potato Board, believes that improving nutrient management leads to increased profitability and results in less environmental impact. Watts agrees and hopes to expand the test pilot program this year to 10-15 fields. Linkletter says that more research needs to be done on developing science-based techniques to reduce nutrients in the groundwater, and he believes that the 4R program may prove to be an important component in reaching this goal.

Date

2014-04-16

Issue

1

Title	4R nutrient stewardship program a success
Authors	A. Walker
Abstract	Salute to Agriculture [special supplement] PEI is the first province to participate in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program that is led by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. Island partners in the the program include the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, PEI Federation of Agriculture, PEI Potato Board, and the Kensington North Watershed Association. In 2013 the program contracted with Steve Watts of Genesis Crop Systems Inc. to conduct 5 demonstration trials on potato farms in West Cape, Lower Montague, Indian River and North Bedeque. Watt assessed the existing nutrient management programs on those farms and suggested ways for improvement. Field tests showed increased yields in weight and quality after Watt's recommendations were implemented. Gary Linkletter, chair of the PEI Potato Board, believes that improving nutrient management leads to increased profitability and results in less environmental impact. Watts agrees and hopes to expand the test pilot program this year to 10-15 fields. Linkletter says that more research needs to be done on developing science-based techniques to reduce nutrients in the groundwater, and he believes that the 4R program may prove to be an important component in reaching this goal.
Journal	Island farmer
Date	2014-04-16
Volume	41
Issue	1
ISSN	0823-7735