Sean Jones
Grower: Sean Jones
Retailer: Michael Twining (Willard Agri-Service)
Bill and Chris Heintz
Growers: Bill and Chris Heintz
Retailer: Kevin Doseck (Crop Production Services)
James Schoff
Grower: James Schoff
Retailer: Malcom Stambaugh (AgView FS)
Matthew Clements
Grower: Matthew Clements
Retailer: Terry Tindall (Simplot Grower Solutions)
Joel Erickson
Grower: Joel Erickson
Retailer: Andrew Kappes (South Dakota Wheat Growers)
The 2015 4R Advocates are a diverse group of retailers and growers from across the United States who exemplify proper nutrient stewardship in thier respective operations. The 2015 group of Advocates have and will continue to assist The Fertilizer Institute in raising awareness on the importance of nutrient stewardship. Please follow the links below to learn more about the 2015 4R Advocates!
Grower: Sean Jones
Retailer: Michael Twining (Willard Agri-Service)
State: Maryland
What Sean Says About the 4Rs:
“A combination scrape/flush flume system removes manure from barns into a sand separation system. A slope screen separator removes large solids for application in accordance with our nutrient plan and the right place practice of the 4Rs. Low solid material is applied via pivot irrigation at the right time. Using irrigation, we capitalize on nutrients and the 4Rs.”
What Mike Says About the 4Rs:
“We pulled more than 30 manure analyses to ensure our decisions were as accurate as they could be. These helped us be certain we were applying nutrients at the right rate. All pivot systems can fertigate based on plant tissue analysis and our nitrogen modeling tool, guided by the 4R principles.”
Growers: Bill and Chris Heintz
Retailer: Kevin Doseck (Crop Production Services)
State: Ohio
What Chris Says About the 4Rs:
“We realize the importance of the need to maximize production, while minimizing environmental impact. The 4R program helps ensure that we follow sound management practices and helps us use nutrients as effectively as possible.”
What Kevin Says About the 4Rs:
“By making sound agronomy recommendations, we become more of a partner with the Heintz family. The 4Rs also help me talk with those who know little about agriculture and tell them how my customers are improving the environment and doing what’s right for the ground.”
Grower: James Schoff
Retailer: Malcom Stambaugh (AgView FS)
State: Illinois
What James Says About the 4Rs:
“Over the last five years, we’ve incorporated yield data into our fertility recommendations. This allows us to fine-tune applications by using exact crop removal based on varying yields instead of using field averages like we did previously. With the 4R program, improved varieties and better agronomic practices, we’ve increased corn yield to 265 bushels per acre.”
What Malcom Says About the 4Rs:
“Using a stabilized anhydrous keeps ammonia in the ground until plants actually need it, so it doesn’t volatilize. Plus, James’ yields have gone up seven to 10 bushels per acre. We’re observing that foliar applications are working well so we’ll increase that practice to ensure nutrients go into the right place.”
Grower: Matthew Clements
Retailer: Terry Tindall (Simplot Grower Solutions)
What Matthew Says About the 4Rs:
“Our business is so competitive now that saving pennies, even on a microscopic scale, adds up to big savings. We’re seeing benefits in fuel savings, reduced wear and fewer hours on equipment. Advocating for the 4Rs and understanding the balance that it provides makes us better farmers and better members of our community.”
What Terry Says About the 4Rs:
“Thousands of acres of corn and other crops have been moved into systems with minimum tillage. We’ve taken advantage of starter fertilizers, a direct value of the 4Rs. With this and other incorporations, we’ve created a 9 to 1 cost benefit ratio on 1,200 to 1,500 acres of triticale planted after a corn harvest that includes 4R practices.”
Grower: Joel Erickson
Retailer: Andrew Kappes (South Dakota Wheat Growers)
What Joel Says About the 4Rs:
Closely following the 4R practices has helped us farm better than before. We’ve seen a lot of yield increases. The 4Rs, advanced genetics and improved farming practices are all parts of the plan to continually improve. Combined, they make for a better running, more sustainable farm.”
What Andrew Says About the 4Rs:
“The 4R program is essentially mandatory for us. You have to bury anhydrous ammonia, fertilize the right amount for yield goals and do it at the right time. If our customers were applying fertilizer at the wrong time, we wouldn’t be in business very long.”