Reports

4Rs of Manure Management

The “4R”s of nutrient management in agriculture refer to using the Right Source of nutrients, at the Right Rate, at the Right Time, and in the Right Place to maximize crop uptake and production, while minimizing edge-of-field nutrient losses. Manure is a valuable soil amendment that can improve soil organic matter and provide essential nutrients needed by crops. But how do 4R principles apply to crop nutrients coming from manure application, which can be more variable and less easily quantified compared to commercial fertilizer?

Utilizing Nitrogen Modeling to Determine Soil Health Contributions to Nitrogen Fertility

The Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Alliance looked at site-specific implementation of nutrient management plans on farms implementing soil health practices (continuous no-till, cover crops, green planting). The goal of the project was to demonstrate that nitrogen modeling tools should be considered within CSP activity enhancement E590B as a Precision Agriculture Technology that can be used to reduce risks of nutrient loss to surface water. Read the full report here.

Understanding Social and Economic Barriers to 4R Adoption

The 4R Alliance worked with the University of Delaware through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant. This study examines farmer perceptions of 4R practices to understand the social and economic barriers limiting adoption, the factors that are important to incentivize farmer adoption of the practices, and how farmers prefer to receive information about nutrient management. Read the full report here. Read a short fact sheet here.

4R Nutrient Stewardship Scorecard

The Mid-Atlantic 4R Nutrient Stewardship Association wanted to help farmers find their place on the 4R farming spectrum. By completing this scorecard, farmers can evaluate what opportunities they have available and resources to help them take the next step. Download the PDF version here.

2021 Voucher Program Findings

With funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust during 2021-2022, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) engaged two agribusinesses to work with a total of 12 farmers to promote precision agricultural practices through a unique “voucher” program. Follow-up interviews found that a majority of farmers were encouraged to adopt precision nutrient management for the first time with 2,464 acres included. Read the full report online here.