State Agencies Encourage Farmers to Adopt 4R Nutrient Stewardship

OABA and Members Work with State Agencies toward Water Quality Solution

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) and member companies are taking the lead in helping the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA), the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) find solutions for the state’s water quality issues.

Over the last several months, OABA and members such as Morral Companies and the Andersons have been active participants in the Ag Nutrients Working Group, which is collaboratively seeking solutions to address agriculture’s cumulative impact on Ohio’s water quality. Based on the working group’s recommendations, ODA, Ohio EPA, and ODNR recently issued a call for farmers to immediately adopt updated best management practices for fertilizer application.

The set of guidelines is known as 4R Nutrient Stewardship (4R). 4R promotes using the right fertilizer, at the right rate, at the right time, with the right placement, and it has been effective in reducing soluble forms of phosphorous from impacting waterways.

ODA, Ohio EPA and ODNR plan to recommend a formal plan of action to address the state’s water quality issue to Governor Kasich by February 1. For a full version of the ODA press release regarding this announcement, click here. Additional details and a list of guidelines for 4R Nutrient Stewardship are available at www.nutrientstewardship.com.