Manitoba recommits to 4R nutrient stewardship

Oct 17, 2022

The provincial government and an ag organization signed a memorandum of understanding continuing to 2024

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

The Manitoba ag community has signaled it will continue to practice nutrient stewardship going forward.

Keystone Agricultural Producers, the Government of Manitoba and Fertilizer Canada signed a fourth memorandum of understanding (MOU) to reaffirm a commitment to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework.

The MOU runs until Dec. 31, 2024.

This commitment helps farmers find a balance between crop nutrition and environmental challenges, said Derek Johnson, Manitoba’s minister of agriculture.

“Farmers continue to recognize the responsible use and application of nutrients in their operations is fundamental to their ability to put affordable and healthy food on plates across the globe,” he said in a statement. “By applying nutrients using the 4R principles, they maximize fertilizer performance and minimize effects on the environment.”

Fertilizer Canada also helps farmers adopt and learn about 4R practices.

When it comes to water, for example, the organization provided $150,000 over three years to fund workshops and learning tools for Manitoba farmers.

“Manitoba continues to show its commitment and dedication to climate-smart agriculture practices,” Karen Proud, president and CEO of Fertilizer Canada, said in a statement. “We are pleased to continue this partnership that offers farmers sustainable solutions for their crops.”

Two other provinces have already signed recent MOUs, with P.E.I. and Ontario signing on in March.

Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.