Check out the following resources to learn more about 4R nutrient stewardship and fertilizer best managment practices:

NRCS 590 Nutrient Management Standard / 4R Nutrient Stewardship Educational Module

Development of an educational module utilizing the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) 590 Nutrient Management standard (currently under revision) and the 4R nutrient stewardship framework stemmed from a meeting between The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and NRCS Chief David White. Chief White indicated NRCS’s goal to raise the number of production acres implementing site specific nutrient management to increase the effective and efficient use of nutrients, enhance crop production, minimize agricultural non-point source pollution, and protect air quality by reducing N2O emissions. This goal is well aligned with 4R stewardship. As a result of the meeting, TFI, NRCS, Iowa State University, and the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) are participating in an effort to develop an educational module for NRCS employees, fertilizer retailers, service providers, and producers.

This effort is a two-year project and information will be accessible on this website as it becomes available.

When developed, the educational module will include educational media, educational resource materials, field level planning process resources, regional economic case studies, and producer brochures and fact sheets. The educational module will include information covering:

  • Fertilizer use at the right rate, right source, right time, and right placement (4Rs);
  • Enhanced efficiency fertilizers and additives (sometimes referred to as N-stabilizers);
  • Precision agriculture technologies (variable rate application, chlorophyll readers, etc.);
  • Phosphorus risk assessment and index utilization;
  • Awareness of other supportive conservation planning practices (conservation tillage, cover crops, buffers and filters, etc.)
  • Environmental and economic benefits and sustainability when utilizing complete and consistent nutrient management; and
  • Case studies highlighting economic, yield and environmental benefits.

IPNI Educational Items

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has multiple 4R nutrient stewardship educational items available on www.ipni.net.

Two videos were produced in 2010 to introduce the 4R nutrient stewardship message ("The Right Way to Grow...4R Nutrient Stewardship") and to address 4R nutrient stewardship relative to wheat production (“The Right Way to Grow Wheat...4R Nutrient Stewardship"). The videos can be viewed for free by visiting the IPNI website at: http://www.ipni.net/video.

Additionally, IPNI developed a set of articles during 2009 under the theme of "Know Your Fertilizer Rights" which appeared in Crops & Soils magazine, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy. The articles focus on the concepts behind fertilizer best management practices and increasing understanding of 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4Rs refer to using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, right time, and right place. The articles are authored by scientific staff of IPNI in cooperation with university and industry colleagues. The primary audience of the publication is Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs). Each article is board-approved for self-study and is accompanied by a quiz, so CCAs may earn continuing education units (CEUs). The articles are available at http://www.ipni.net/4r.

4R Nutrient Stewardship Posters

In July 2011, TFI participated in the Soil and Water Conservation Service's annual conference and coordinated a poster session symposium at the meeting to educate participants about 4R nutrient stewardship and its benefits, present successful applications of 4R use in the field, and provide access to 4R implementation tools. The posters that were presented at the session are available for use by anyone who is interested in hosting an educational event focused on 4R nutrient stewardship.