4R Case Study 3 (Nitrogen)Prince Edward Island’s “Hot Potato”

Prepared by Nutrients for Life CanadaTeacher Resource for 4R Case Study 3www.nutrientsforlife.ca

What is Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture?

Let’s Review: Challenges to Feeding the World..

Local Provincial

Federal Global

Let’s Visit Prince Edward Island

Photo: KAP

Prince Edward Island and Farming

What is 4R Nutrient Stewardship?

How does it work?Nutrients are applied using the Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place through producers using Best Management Practices to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Nitrogen is an Essential Nutrient

Globally there are about ten different sources of fertilizer nitrogen.

Relative Mobility of Nutrients “A little Nitrogen Goes a Long Way”

Let’s Examine The Nitrogen Cycle

Increasing Production & the Island

Nitrate Concentrations in PEI (2006)

Victoria, Benson; John, VanLeeuwen; Javier, Sanchez; Ian, Dohoo; and George, Somers. (2006) Spatial Analysis of Land Use Impact on Ground Water Nitrate Concentrations. Journal of Environmental Quality.

Why Use 4R Nutrient Stewardship Planning?

Many PEI farmers already implement various forms of sustainable agriculture & Farming 4R Island provides a framework to improve their operations through

nutrient management, NUE and revenue.

environmental risk as nutrient loss is reduced.

4R documentation will assist farmers with making improvements and adjustments in future years & record keeping.

A Solution to the Pollution - 4R Nutrient Stewardship

Nutrients are applied using the Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place with producers using Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Results are measured, evaluated and adjusted. Farmer will determine which combination of BMP’s

will optimize nutrient use efficiency and economic return at the farm.

Let’s 4R Discuss to Find Solutions Lets 4R Discuss about Phosphorous using the idea of a hot potato. Start by passing a hot potato around your discussion group, then the class. You should be able to correctly answer the following questions.1.Why is nitrogen a concern?2.What are the sources of excess nitrogen?3.Why is leaching from Nitrogen occuring and making a presence in some of the larger water bodies in Canada?4.What can we do to reduce nitrogen if you were PEI farmers?5.What are some possible solutions to solving the nitrogen challenge?