Farming 4R Land. NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP and GHG REDUCTIONS from Alberta s valued Producers

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1 Farming 4R Land NUTRIENT STEWARDSHIP and GHG REDUCTIONS from Alberta s valued Producers

2 Acknowledgements

3 Discussion Topics Farming 4R Land success and outcomes Dr. Dan Heaney 4R Strategies Challenges and Opportunities for 4Rs and NERP Market and Policy

4 Overview of Farming 4R Future Projects

5 Project Goals and Objectives Demonstrate the capability of NERP generated offsets to the provincial regulatory agency for Specified Gas Emissions Reduction (SGER), as well as regulated industries that credible GHG reduction benefits can be accrued by the agricultural sector. Assist growers and other supply chain stakeholders to participate in a strategic framework that is complementary to their respective economic and environmental goals. Working with growers and agronomic experts to develop the capacity to participate in NERP based agricultural GHG offset projects

6 NERP implementation in the value chain Farming 4R Land provided producers across the Province of Alberta with science-based information and advice on how to use beneficial management practices under the 4R (Right Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ) Nutrient Stewardship to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) when they apply fertilizer or other crop nutrients on their fields.

7 Farming 4R Land Recap Regional project started January 2013 with the aim of using 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place ) to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions Supported by Climate Change Emissions Management Corporation and Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions Key highlights: Farm Tech 2013 in Edmonton Workshop series: Lethbridge, Airdrie, High River, Leduc Alberta Institute of Agrologists session Economic analysis on net benefits of adopting Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol, based on 4R BMPs. Demonstration Farms: 3 underway implementing 4R.

8 Farming 4R Land Indicators Engagement: 200 Alberta Producers representing 500,000+ acres and over 100 agronomic service providers, and other industry stakeholders and leaders supporting 1 million additional acres that are now assessing agronomic packages for 4R Nutrient Stewardship extension activities. Capacity building: Through the extension programs and on-line training programs, over 50 certified crop advisors accessed Continuing Educational Units (CEUs). 4Rs and NERP GrowZone platform ( Through the economic analysis it was discovered that there were material benefits from adopting 4R Nutrient Stewardship on farm. Producers: Majority have commitment to stewardship and many of them are well positioned to achieve a basic 4R level Economic: The implied net benefit of adoption of NERP practices was material, and ranged from $9/acre to about $87/acre

9 Farming 4R Land Challenges operationalize 4R Nutrient Stewardship on farm with consistent data documentation and data management in order to realize real GHG reductions on farm in Phase II Proverbial question: What s In It for Me?

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11 Dr. Dan Heaney

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13 Concentric Circles of Producer Support Provincial Government National Commodity Groups Commodity Groups National /Provincial Associations Federal Government CCAs Producers 1 Community interests (regional CA s) Ag Retailers Trade Associations Policy Groups 2 Extension Groups 3 Financial Institutions Research clusters 4 Consumer Retailers

14 What if the support circles are influenced by market movement? Provincial Government National Commodity Groups Commodity Groups National /Provincial Associations Federal Government CCAs Producers 1 Community interests (regional CA s) Ag Retailers Trade Associations Policy Groups 2 Extension Groups 3 Financial Institutions Research clusters 4 Consumer Retailers

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16 Context of Walmart example Your buyer has set a sustainability goal to drive fertilizer optimization. Your Sustainability Index scorecard has identified on-farm efficiency as a key improvement opportunity worth up to a 25-point increase, on average. We (Walmart) believe nitrogen is a good place to start because it is more easily quantitative and costly. Due to high levels of disaggregation and existing efficiencies, success in this space requires collaboration across categories and at every stage of the supply chain. No buyer, supplier or category can address this challenge alone.

17 Walmart Objective Building on farmers strong heritage of land stewardship, Walmart will partner with suppliers to stimulate demand for scale commodity crop production systems, practices, and technologies to continuously improve nutrient use efficiency that: 1. Secure supply for our customers; 2. Optimize cost of goods for farmers & the supply chain; and 3. Create healthy soils while reducing nutrient loss to the air & water. This work will leverage Walmart s scale to convene and empower the entire commodity agriculture supply chain to achieve systemic change.

18 Levels of Fertilizer Optimization Programs

19 Market drivers OR Policy? Which best supports Producers? Can both?

20 Our challenge to build sustainable prosperity