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Reduce Nitrogen Loss

ESN Technology Helps Reduce Nitrogen Loss

ESN is the most advanced fertility product in decades. Traditional nitrogen applications require careful management and can still result in significant nitrogen loss. Leaching can lead to 60% loss, volatilization losses can be up to 40% and denitrification can lead to up to 60% nitrogen loss. ESN technology delivers nitrogen when the crop needs it, with significant reductions in the risk of loss to the soil, air and surrounding watershed. ESN technology is a smarter way to grow.

Loss Mechanisms

Nitrogen (N) can be one of your most costly inputs, so you want to do everything you can to avoid loss. ESN is designed and proven to minimize the loss mechanisms that conventional N sources are prone to, including:

ESN vs. Other Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers

The Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO) defines Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) as fertilizer products that can reduce nutrient losses to the environment while increasing nutrient availability for the plant or the crop. These fertilizers can either slow the release of nutrients for uptake or alter the conversion of nutrients to other forms that may be less susceptible to losses.

Categories of EEFs include slow and controlled release nitrogen fertilizers, nitrogen stabilizers and phosphate management products:

  • Inhibitors and Stabilizers: Chemical additives that inhibit or slow biological N transformations in the soil.
  • Slow Release Products: Complex nitrogen compounds that release N by biochemical breakdown of the material. Release time is determined by the nature and complexity of the compound and biological activity.
  • Controlled Release Products: Coated fertilizers that release N by diffusion through the coating when in contact with soil moisture. Release rate is controlled by coating thickness and type and soil temperature.

Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer: A smarter source of nitrogen, a smarter way to grow

Polymer coated granule | Coating protects N from loss mechanisms | Membrane allows water to diffuse in | Granule releases N at a predictable rate Polymer coated granule | Coating protects N from loss mechanisms | Membrane allows water to diffuse in | Granule releases N at a predictable rate

Environmentally Smarter

We are driven by the conviction that fertilizer will play a critical role in meeting increased global demand for food in the future, and that fertilizer must be used safely, effectively and efficiently. ESN was developed with the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship in mind—use the Right nutrient source at the Right rate, at the Right time, and in the Right place. ESN also plays a key role in ESG sustainability initiatives for environmentally smart fertilizers. As part of the world’s largest ag solutions provider and fertilizer producer (Nutrien), we play a critical role in leading the next wave of sustainability for our industry.

What is ESG?

ESG means the environmental, social and governance targets to measure sustainability initiatives on and off the farm. ESN Smart Nitrogen plays a key role in Nutrien’s ESG goal to enable sustainable agriculture on 75 million acres globally by 2030. ESN should be part of any grower’s investment into sustainable nitrogen management practices.

Government Incentives

United States – Incentive Programs

In the U.S. there are two main incentive programs available to growers – EQIP and CSP. Every state sets their own priorities and resource concerns, and structures their available funding based on resource priorities and national initiatives.

The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is a voluntary incentive program that awards financial contracts to farmers for trying a new conservation practice. Managed by the individual states, dollars should be available to you for improving environmental practices. ESN qualifies under the 590 nutrient management rules, which vary by state.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary national program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private working lands. The conservation practices for CSP are determined in partnership with local Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRSC) offices.

The best way to find out which program is best for you is to contact your local NRCS office and ask them about available funds when using ESN under EQIP or CSP.

Canada – Incentive Programs

The Canola Council of Canada developed the Canola 4R Advantage program with funding through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). The program offers incentives to help growers initiate or advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship on canola acres. The funding is allocated to each province to help pay for best management practices (BMPs) in four areas: soil testing, field zone mapping consulting services, enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) and preferred application methods.

Applications are expected to open in June 2023 for the second year of this program. Please read the information from the Canola Council of Canada for details on qualifying and how to apply for the program.

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