4R NUTRIENT
STEWARDSHIP
CERTIFICATION
PROGRAM –
WESTERN LAKE
ERIE BASIN
IT BECOMES “WHO IS AT FAULT?”
WHO IS WORKING ON 4R CERTIFICATION?
WHO IS WORKING ON 4R CERTIFICATION?
NUTRIENT SERVICE PROVIDERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Agricultural Retailers
Agricultural Service Providers
Certified Professionals
Does not include farmers
4 SECTIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Initial Training and Ongoing Education - 9
Monitoring of 4R Implementation - 4
Nutrient Recommendation - 32
Nutrient Application - 24
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Initial Training and on-going 2year 5
CEUs
Certified Professional
Provide 4R materials for all
growers/customers
Sponsor training for growers/customers
MONITORING AND IMPLEMENTATION
1.
2.
3.
4.
Number of growers/customers
participating
Records of farms and acres following 4R’s
Records of implementation over time
Records of written agreements signed by
growers/customers that attest to their
support of 4R nutrient stewardship
NUTRIENT RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
2.
3.
4.
GIS Field mapping
Cropping History
Soil Test – 3 year
minimum interval
Nutrient
Recommendations – all
sources
NUTRIENT APPLICATION
1.
2.
3.
Variable rate technology
Supplies records to grower/customer
Annual calibration of equipment
NUTRIENT APPLICATION
4.
5.
6.
Does not surfaced apply within 24 hours of
heavy rainfall
Does not apply to frozen soil
Follows minimum setbacks from sensitive
areas
TIMELINE
July: 4 Pilot Audits (Certifications)
 August: 4R Advisory Committee Review
 Fall 2013/Winter 2014: Begin to promote
 Summer of 2014: Certifications

SCS – PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
Precision programs met most requirement.
 Non-precision programs didn’t fit the standard.
 Retailer’s had talked to customers on 4R’s.
 CCA’s on Staff
 Incorporation/tillage follow-up was hard to track.
 Additional Recordkeeping needed.
 May need to shift 100% requirement to 85%.
 Anticipate a summary report from SCS soon.
