Make your
acres count! Be a part of Canada’s commitment to sustainable agriculture

Alberta Acres Counted with 4R in 2024

Agronomists & Agri-Retailers – Become 4R Designated!

4R for Alberta Farmers Work with a Designated Agronomist Today and Make Your Acres Count!

Create Your 4R Nutrient Management Plan Today!

Creating a 4R Nutrient Management Plan and getting your acres counted as 4R compliant is a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to responsible stewardship. Getting certified not only opens doors to future funding and recognition programs, it also helps build public trust in Alberta’s world-class farming practices.

Alberta farmers are already leading the way, with more than 2.15 million 4R acres self-reported in 2024 and 129 Designated Agronomists available across the province.

Work with a 4R Designated Agronomist

4R Designated Agronomists are certified professionals and have completed the necessary 4R training to help you create a 4R plan that selects the right source, rate, time and place for nutrients, customized to your soil conditions, cropping plans and yield goals.

Working with a 4R Designated Agronomist gives you a competitive edge, combining practical, on-farm knowledge with science-based strategies for optimizing fertilizer use. Whether you’re looking to improve efficiency, reduce input costs or make your operation more resilient to climate challenges, a 4R agronomist brings the tools and expertise to make that happen — all while supporting your long-term sustainability.

Make Your Acres Count!

Find a certified 4R agronomist or agri-retailer in your area.

Develop your 4R Nutrient Management Plan.

4R for Alberta Agronomists and Agri-Retailers Get your 4R Nutrient Stewardship Designation Today!

Help your grower customers get their acres counted

Education

4R Attestation

Speaking to Your Grower Customer

Get Your Acres Counted

Why become a 4R Designated Agronomist?

Becoming a 4R Designated Agronomist is a strategic move for agronomy professionals and agri-retailers who want to stay at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and give their customers a competitive edge.

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework — applying the right source, at the right rate, right time, and right place — is increasingly recognized across the industry as a gold standard for fertilizer management. With more than 2.15 million acres already self-reported as 4R in Alberta and strong farmer awareness of the 4R program, the demand for certified support is growing fast.

What are the benefits to my business?

Offering 4R services can help your business stand out in a competitive advisory landscape, while aligning with the goals of Fertilizer Canada, government programs and sustainability-conscious buyers.

By completing the 4R designation program, you demonstrate technical expertise and commitment to delivering measurable value for clients. You also strengthen your credibility and build trust with farmers who are looking for knowledgeable partners to help them navigate both productivity and environmental expectations.

Whether you’re an independent advisor or part of a retail team, 4R designation is a powerful way to drive agronomic excellence and support the long-term viability of Alberta agriculture.

Understanding 4R Nutrient Stewardship

Why 4R?

Alberta farmers have long led the way in sustainable nutrient management. Now, it’s time to take that commitment to the next level.

Set your farm up for success in the future and help document our leadership on sustainable farming by getting your 4R acres counted. Implementing 4R’s will improve your crop performance, reduce your input costs, and safeguard your land for the future.

It will also benefit the entire industry by demonstrating our leadership in responsible stewardship, aligning with government and industry goals for water quality, emissions reduction and climate resilience. With 129 4R Designated Agronomists in Alberta ready to support you, now is the time to turn your commitment into action — and make your acres count.

What are the 4R Principles?

Right Source

Right Source

Choosing the right source of nutrients means matching fertilizer type to crop needs and local soil conditions, maximizing crop uptake while minimizing environmental impact. This ensures nutrients are in a form the plant can access when it needs them most — improving fertilizer efficiency and supporting healthy, sustainable yields.

When farmers select the right fertilizer formulations, they protect their investment and support environmental goals tied to water quality and greenhouse gas emission reduction, aligning with industry and government priorities.

For Alberta farmers, adopting the right source is a cornerstone of productivity and sustainability. As of 2024, 65% of Alberta farmers reported following basic 4R practices, contributing to 2.15 million acres of 4R self-reported land — that’s roughly 12% of Alberta’s total cropland.

Right Rate

Applying nutrients at the right rate means balancing supply with crop requirements. Soil testing helps determine the right rate, yield targets and sound agronomic advice, often supported by tools such as variable-rate technology or decision support systems.

Employing the right rate principle supports both economic resilience for farmers and policy objectives around nutrient management and emissions reduction — a win for farmers, the environment and the agri-food sector.

In Alberta, 71% of farmers soil sample at least every three years, a key best practice for achieving the right rate. With 15% of farmers using a formal 4R plan and 32% working with 4R-designated agronomists, the province is steadily advancing precision and stewardship

Right Time

Applying nutrients at the right time, when crops are best able to uptake them, reduces the risk of nutrient loss to the environment through leaching, volatilization or runoff. It also ensures plants get nutrients when they are most needed for growth and yield.

By optimizing timing through split applications, in-season nitrogen or weather-aware scheduling, farmers can enhance efficiency while supporting government climate targets and reinforcing the sector’s leadership in sustainability.

For Alberta’s agriculture industry, right-time practices are already making a difference. Approximately 35% of Alberta farmers report they are very familiar with the concept of “right time” nutrient application, which is above the average for Western Canada.

Right Place

Placing nutrients in the right place — where crops can access them and where loss risks are minimized — is critical for reducing environmental impact and maximizing yield. This may mean banding fertilizers below the soil surface, avoiding surface applications in vulnerable areas or using precision technology to target application zones.

As more farmers develop formal 4R plans, the cumulative effect strengthens soil health, protects water resources and showcases how the province’s farmers are contributing to national environmental goals through smart, science-backed stewardship.

In Alberta, momentum toward improved nutrient placement is growing. There are currently 129 4R Designated Agronomists in the province, supporting farmers in adopting practices that prioritize efficient and responsible placement

4R Nutrient Stewardship BY THE
NUMBERS

* 2024 Fertilizer Use Survey – Fertilizer Canada

4R Stewardship FAQs

What are the 4R principles and how do they benefit farmers?

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework is based on applying the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place. This science-based approach helps farmers optimize crop yields, reduce nutrient losses and improve soil health. By using these best management practices, farmers can improve fertilizer efficiency, reduce input costs over time and ensure that nutrients are only used when and where crops need them. The result is better economic returns and more sustainable production practices.

Learn More at Fertilizer Canada
Why is 4R Nutrient Stewardship important to the agriculture industry?

4R practices are a key part of modern, sustainable agriculture. They support environmental goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting water quality, while also enhancing productivity and long-term soil fertility. For the agriculture industry, widespread adoption of 4R helps demonstrate responsible nutrient management to consumers, regulators and export markets. It also builds trust across the value chain — from input suppliers to food and beverage companies.

Implementing 4R aligns with both farm-level and national sustainability commitments.

Sustainability isn’t only about the environment; it is also about ensuring the viability of farms in Alberta. Implementing 4R’s is good for farmers’ bottom line, maximizing crop yields and investments in fertilizer.
How do I get started with 4R practices on my farm?

A great first step is working with a 4R Designated Agronomist who can help assess your current practices and develop a custom nutrient management plan that meets 4R standards. This can involve steps such as soil testing, choosing the right fertilizer blend and using precision application tools. Getting your 4R acres counted helps demonstrate compliance with sustainable practices and opens the door to future funding and program eligibility.

To find a 4R agronomist or learn more, visit Fertilizer Canada.

Make your
acres count! Be a part of Canada’s commitment to sustainable agriculture

4R for Alberta Farmers Work with a Designated Agronomist Today and Make Your Acres Count!

Create Your 4R Nutrient Management Plan Today!

Work with a 4R Designated Agronomist