Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the new Fertilizer Accelerating Technologies & Solutions Challenge at Cantelon Farms Ltd. in Seaforth Sept. 23.

Made-in-Ontario fertilizer solutions to receive funding

The Ontario government announced it’s investing up to $2 million over two years in the Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge. This funding will support made-in-Ontario solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer options, alternatives and technology to farmers in the province. The goal of the challenge is to “incent agri-businesses and industry to research, […] Read more

Fertilizer emissions: it’s in the details

Fertilizer emissions: it’s in the details

Technical discussion now begin on proposed emissions reductions plans for agriculture in Canada

Glacier FarmMedia – The federal Liberal government’s online consultation on its proposed 30 per cent reduction of nitrous oxide emissions closed Aug. 31 but the issue will continue to be examined during technical discussions beginning this month. The issue became politicized through the summer as Conservative MPs referred to it as an impending fertilizer ban […] Read more

Federal officials have proposed several ways to cut emissions, including more adoption of the 4R nutrient program (right rate, right source, right time and right place).

University of Guelph scientist slams fertilizer emissions plan

Financial incentives and more cost-effective testing for researchers and farmers is needed, he says

Glacier FarmMedia – A scientist from the University of Guelph says the federal government is rushing its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from nitrogen fertilizer. Other scientists are concerned the plan could contribute to the urban/rural divide where city dwellers view farmers as bad guys who are trying to destroy the planet. Why it […] Read more

File photo of a BNSF grain train in Montana. (Photo courtesy BNSF Railway)

U.S. railways to halt grain shipments ahead of potential shutdown

Fall fertilizer traffic also at risk

Chicago | Reuters — Some U.S. railroads will start halting crop shipments on Thursday, a day ahead of a potential work stoppage, an agricultural association and sources at two grain co-operatives said on Tuesday, threatening exports and feed deliveries for livestock. With farmers starting to harvest autumn crops that are shipped to meat and biofuels […] Read more

File photo of a docked grain vessel at a Black Sea port in Turkey. (Bfk92/E+/Getty Images)

U.S. working with U.N. on Russia food, fertilizer export complaints

Black Sea pact up for renewal in November

New York | Reuters — The United States is working with the United Nations to address Russian complaints that sanctions are hindering its food and fertilizer shipments, even though there has been no disruption to Moscow’s exports of the commodities, a senior U.S. official said on Friday. The United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia agreed […] Read more


A new machine-learning model for predicting crop yield using environmental data and genetic information could lead to development of higher-performing crop varieties.

Opinion: Fertilizer reductions are possible

Retired prof says 2030 target is achievable with incentives for farmers

The 4R principles promoted by Fertilizer Canada are increasingly accepted and practiced by farmers across Canada. It makes sense to apply nutrients from the right source, at the right time, in the right place and at the right rate.  However, recent Fertilizer Canada lobbying has morphed the fourth principle from right rates to holding the […] Read more

FCL’s Co-op Fertilizer Terminal at Brandon. (Photo courtesy Federated Co-operatives Ltd.)

Canada can cut fertilizer emissions 14 per cent by 2030, industry groups say

Report touts use of 4R practices

Winnipeg | Reuters — Canadian farmers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from applying nitrogen fertilizer by 14 per cent by 2030 through adoption of more sustainable farm practices and new technology, without any overall reduction in fertilizer use, agriculture industry groups said on Wednesday. Such reductions of nitrous oxide from 2020 levels would fall well […] Read more

File photo of a docked grain vessel at a Black Sea port in Turkey. (Bfk92/E+/Getty Images)

U.N., Moscow discuss Russian grain, fertilizer exports

Grain not getting to poorer countries, Putin alleges

United Nations | Reuters — Senior U.N. and Russian officials met in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss Russian complaints that Western sanctions were impeding its grain and fertilizer exports despite a U.N.-brokered deal to boost Russian and Ukrainian shipments of the commodities. The United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia agreed on July 22 on what […] Read more


A tractor equipped with a plow is strip-tilling a field, preparing the soil for planting crops efficiently

Strip till a matter of helping the soil and lowering costs

Adoption rate is slow, but tools are available for growers to learn more

Twenty years ago, growers were less likely to adopt strip till on their farms, primarily because the practice lacked an immediate payback with higher yields. It didn’t help that early adopters had to develop their own systems if applying fertilizer while strip tilling. In theory, strip till should boost yields, based on “berming” the soil […] Read more

Farmers load sacks of fertilizer into a seeder on a wheat field in China’s Henan province last fall. The government is using inspection certificates and export quotas to keep more fertilizer in the country.

China takes steps to slow phosphate exports

Government plans to use quota system to limit amount of fertilizer shipped out of the country to control domestic prices

Reuters – China is rolling out a quota system to limit exports of phosphates in the second half of this year, analysts said, citing information from the country’s major phosphate producers. The quotas, set well below year-ago export levels, would expand China’s intervention in the market to keep a lid on domestic prices and protect […] Read more