Canola 4R Advantage gives incentives for 4R

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Canola 4R Advantage is a voluntary program that supports farmers in initiating or advancing 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices to make the most efficient use of fertilizers in canola production. Through Canola 4R Advantage, canola farmers can apply for funding to help pay for these best management practices (BMPs) focused on nitrogen management:

  1. Soil testing. Soil lab analysis helps growers optimize nutrient applications based on soil needs and yield potential.
  2. Enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF). EEFs influence the availability of nitrogen over a longer period of time so more nutrients can be taken up by plants, and less nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere.
  3. Preferred application. This covers a portion of fertilizer costs for growers switching from fall nitrogen application to methods that band nitrogen into soil near seeding time or apply nutrients while canola crops are growing.
  4. Field zone mapping. Consulting services help growers pinpoint areas where applying more or less nitrogen can provide the best returns, based on past management practices, yield potential, terrain and a host of other factors.

Growers can seek funding for up to two of these BMPs per year. Up to 85 per cent of eligible costs can be reimbursed – up to $12,000 per farm each year. To be eligible for these incentives, a grower must have a 4R Nutrient Stewardship plan that has been verified by a Certified Crop Adviser or Professional Agrologist who has earned the 4R designation from Fertilizer Canada.

For the 2022 application intake, BMPs are eligible if:

  • Eligible expenses are fully paid by the grower between February 7, 2022 and March 31, 2023, and
  • BMP activities are completed and canola is planted on the identified fields no later than June 30, 2023.

For program guidelines and to apply using the digital platform,
visit canolacouncil.org/4r-advantage.