Federal government invests in Canada’s fertilizer industry

Mar 30, 2015

Investment equals $1.1 million

An investment of $1.1 million is being put towards Canada’s fertilizer industry to be used for research and development.

Specifically, the money will go towards more efficient uses of fertilizer while trying to reduce environmental impact, costs and give producers an edge when it comes to crop production.

"Famers need the latest soil science to meet growing global demand for food, feed, fiber and fuel,” said Clyde Graham, Acting President of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute. “The results from this research will demonstrate to environmentalists, the food industry and the Canadian public that 4R Nutrient Stewardship is good for the farm economy and the environment.”

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship is a network including scientists from different universities and research centres who will work on a three-year initiative and to make sure Canadian fertilizer is safe and effective in Canada’s ever-changing climates.

"The fertilizer industry is an important part of our growing economy,” said Parliamentary Secretary Pierre Lemieux on behalf of Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz in Maxville, Ontario. “Investing in research to improve the efficiency of fertilizer use will help boost competitiveness and create new global market opportunities for Canadian farmers and improve their environmental sustainability.”

Canada’s fertilizer industry is worth more than $12 billion to the country’s economy and is one of largest producers and exporters of fertilizer globally – about 12% of the world’s fertilizer materials comes from Canada.

Join the conversation and tell us some of the things you’d like to see when it comes to fertilizer research. How does your fertilizer hold up during the seasons?

Fertilizer

Video: Dr. Emerson Nafziger: Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates for Corn

The Crop Science Podcast Show, Dr. Emerson Nafziger from the University of Illinois breaks down decades of nitrogen research. From the evolution of N rate guidelines to how soil health and hybrid genetics influence nitrogen use efficiency, this conversation unpacks the science behind smarter fertilization. Improving how we set nitrogen fertilizer rates for rainfed corn is a key focus. Discover why the MRTN model matters more than ever, and how shifting mindsets and better data can boost yields and environmental outcomes. Tune in now on all major platforms!

"The nitrogen that comes from soil mineralization is the first nitrogen the plant sees, and its role is underestimated."

Meet the guest:

Dr. Emerson Nafziger is Professor Emeritus of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with degrees in agronomy from Ohio State, Purdue, and Illinois. His research has focused on nitrogen rate strategies and crop productivity. He co-developed the Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN) model, which is widely used across the Midwest. His research spans N response trials, hybrid interactions, crop rotation effects, and yield stability.