The Fertilizer Institute Honors 4R Advocates for 2020
June 3, 2020 For nine years now, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has annually honored growers and their ag retailers through its 4R Advocate Program. According to the association, this program acknowledges forward-thinking individuals who serve as excellent examples of the 4Rs (right time, right place, right rate, and right source). Since 2012, TFI has honored 90 advocates in 22 different states that farm more than 215,000 acres of cropland.
View all
“I’m thrilled this year we’ve added 10 excellent advocates who have clearly demonstrated the real-world success of the 4Rs on their farms,” said Lara Moody, TFI Vice President for Stewardship and Sustainability.
For 2020, TFI revealed five farmer/retailer pairs who teamed up to turn the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles into practice, yielding economic and environmental benefits on their farms. Here are this year’s winners.
Hundley Farms/Wedgworth’s Inc., Belle Glade, FL
A third-generation family farm in business since 1969, the Hundley family has nonetheless been farming in the Glades area of Florida since 1935. The farm covers approximately 20,266 acres and includes a crop mix of sweet corn, sugarcane, green beans, radishes, field corn, peanuts, rice, cotton, cabbage, and collard greens. According to Eric Hopkins, Senior Vice President, the farm practices intense crop rotation and some crops, such as rice, are used to absorb excess nutrients and return organic matter to the soil.
“We want to do business with people who want us to succeed for the long haul and have a vested interest in our long-term success,” said Hopkins, speaking about the company’s partnership with its ag retailer. “If we’re successful, they’ll be successful, and if we grow, they’ll grow. Our relationship with Wedgworth’s is a prime example of this concept
in action.”
Ryberg Farms/Central Region Cooperative, Buffalo Lake, MN
Brian and Sandy Ryberg started farming with their father in 1986 on 1,000 acres. Since then, they’ve grown to more than 5,300 acres and perform custom work on an additional 700 acres. Ryberg Farms uses plenty of 4R practices on its land, says Mike Welter, Account Manager for Central Region Cooperative. The farm now applies only phosphorus and potassium with fall strip tillage. In the spring, Ryberg applies 35% of the nitrogen, along with sulfur and starter fertilizer, with the planter. A pre-emergent herbicide using 32% nitrogen as a carrier is used to deliver an additional 25%. The balance of nitrogen and sulfur needs are met with a sidedress application.
Morgan-O’Bannon Family Farm/Nutrien Ag Solutions, Madison, MO
The Morgan-O’Bannon Family Farm today covers 9,500 acres in Monroe and Audrain Counties — a far cry from the 160 acres that the family started with back in 1873. The family farm started employing 4R practices several years ago following a conversation with Todd Ragsdale, Location Manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions in nearby Paris, MO. Data now drives decision-making, beginning with yield maps to develop crop removal rates and goals. Soil test samples are integrated into yield data to evaluate nitrogen rates and variable rates for phosphate and potash, with an overall goal to build and maintain soil nutrients.
“The Morgans and O’Bannons trust our opinion,” said Ragsdale. “If it’s something they need to do, they’ll listen. And the trust runs both ways. We have to listen to what they need, too.”
Susquehanna Orchards/The Mill, Delta, PA
Susquehanna Orchards originated in the 1920s as a fruit farm, but the 315-acre farm now also includes corn and soybeans. Fifth generation Owner Mike Kurek started incorporating 4R practices on his peach, apple, and pumpkin acres a few years back. “There aren’t many 4R programs specifically for orchards, so I developed my own,” said Kurek.
In practice, Kurek developed a spoon-feeding foliar fertilizer application system specifically for orchards. He also conducts regular tissue sampling which allows him to determine nutrient needs, and he applies 100% of nutrients via foliar application.
Broadview Agriculture Inc./Eco-Drip Irrigation, Lubbock, TX
Established in 2007, Broadview Agriculture covers 4,000 acres in Texas, with the majority of these devoted to cotton. The operation also grows corn, wheat, sorghum, peanuts, rye, and sesame. According to Owner Jeremy Brown, he uses pre-season grid soil sampling to determine available nutrients. The results from these samples serve as the basis for fertilizer recommendations throughout the growing season. Broadview Agriculture also uses fertigation on conventional, irrigated acres to apply nutrients as efficiently as possible.
“When we apply nutrients, we want to be as precise as we can,” said Brown. “A good retailer who you trust will give you the best information to make timely decisions.”
The 2020 4R Advocates were honored at an awards banquet hosted by TFI at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, TX. According to TFI President/CEO Corey Rosenbusch, each of these operations can serve as a positive example of 4R in practice to other farmers/retailers across the country.
“I’m proud to be able to highlight these special case studies on 4R practices,” said Rosenbusch at the awards ceremony. “Every one of them can be used for others to emulate how to effectively use the 4Rs on their farms as well.”
Subscribe Today For
