Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
Page 47
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
Page 53
Page 54
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
TUBERTALK LUKIE PIETERSE is a consultant and writer with decades of experience in the potato sector from growing his own drip-irrigated potatoes to writing international potato news. Tuber Talk is an insiders take on the issues impacting the industry. SPUDSMART.COM SUMMER 201534 4R NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP represents an innovative approach to nutrient best management practices. Proponents of applying this concept to potato production believe that the principles of this approach provide a sound framework for growers to achieve cropping system goals such as increased production increased farmer profitability enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability. In essence 4R nutrient stewardship implies that growers put the following best management practices in place in terms of the nutrient management of their potato crops Apply the right source of fertilizers best used by the crop and its soil Apply the right rate of fertilizer to match nutrient supply with crop requirements Apply fertilizer at the right rime so nutrients will be available when crop demand is high Apply or maintain fertilizer in the right place where the crop can access the nutrients most effectively 4R nutrient stewardship in Canada is being spearheaded by the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. According to Farming4rFuture.ca the CFIs website dedicated to the 4R nutrient management method following this approach optimizes the efficiency of fertilizer use by matching nutrient supply with crop requirements and minimizing nutrient losses from fields. Prince Edward Island was the first province to sign on to the 4R nutrient stewardship program. Fertilizing potato crops under 4R nutrient stewardship principals was introduced to Island growers in 2013 through a series of field-scale demonstration trials conducted by agronomist Steve Watts of Genesis Crop Systems under contract to CFI. The three-year contract was to last until the end of the 2015 cropping season but at a press conference in early April CFI Acting President Clyde Graham announced that funding for the program was being extended for another three years. 4R Nutrient Stewardship Making potato production more sustainable. The initial funding was for 150000 over the three years until 2015 and we are committed to renew the project and provide another 150000 worth of funding over the coming three years Graham said. We are very much encouraged by the results of the trial program thus far and we are excited about its continuation. Watts conducted several demonstration trials on potato farms for the program in 2013 and 2014. The purpose of the demonstration trials was to compare various 4R best management practices with fertilization practices currently popular among P.E.I. potato growers. A total of 13 farms were involved in the trial last year. Introducing subtle changes to the way a crop is fertilized can produce crops with at least as much economic value as the current level of management while lessening the potential environmental impact says Watts. Windrower at work in a 4R nutrient stewardship trial field in P.E.I. during the 2014 harvest season. ALL PHOTOS STEVE WATTS GENESIS CROP SYSTEMS.