Resources: The International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA) has published "The Global '4R' Nutrient Stewardship Framework." This paper describes a global framework designed to facilitate the development of site- and crop-specific fertilizer best management practices (FBMPs) based on sound science. It also defines principles for effective knowledge transfer and the wide adoption of FBMPs by farmers. The principles developed in this paper are universal, but their implementation must be adapted to the local context at different scales. Download: "The Global '4R' Nutrient Stewardship Framework."
"Know Your Fertilizer Rights" -- A Series of Five Articles During 2009, a series of articles under the theme of "Know Your Fertilizer Rights" is appearing in Crops & Soils magazine, a publication of the American Society of Agronomy. The articles focus on the concepts behind fertilizer best management practices and increasing understanding of 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4Rs refer to using the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, right time, and right place. The articles are authored by scientific staff of IPNI in cooperation with university and industry colleagues. The Fertilizer Institute and the Canadian Fertilizer Institute sponsored the series.. The primary audience of the publication is Certified Crop Advisers (CCAs). Each article is board-approved for self-study and is accompanied by a quiz, so CCAs may earn continuing education units (CEUs). Posted below are PDF files of each of the articles in the series to date. The first article covers the general concept of 4R nutrient stewardship and explains how the "four rights" are linked in achieving fertilizer best management practices. The second article takes a closer look at source considerations, the third covers rate, the fourth has a focus on timing, and the fifth article is on fertilizer placement. To take a closer look, click on each topic to open the file. Downloads: Article 1: Know your fertilizer rights Article 2: Selecting the right source Article 3: Selecting the right fertilizer rate Article 4: Selecting the right timing Article 5: Selecting the right placement Recommendation Development under 4R Nutrient Stewardship In this paper presented at the 39th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, IPNI Director Dr.Tom Bruulsema discusses the implications of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship for those engaged in developing crop nutrient recommendations and decision support systems. You can download your copy of the paper here: New 4R Nutrient Stewardship Style Guide The fertilizer industry, agronomists, consultants, farmers, and policymakers from around the world are starting to recognize the 4Rs as the basis for fertilizer best management practices. The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI), the Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) have prepared a style guide describing terminology related to the 4R nutrient stewardship concept. The intent is to help those employing 4Rs to be more consistent in the terminology used in nutrient management education and research programs, and the development of policy. You can download your copy of the guide and an illustrative diagram here: Here you may download 200 and 300 pixel versions for use when a smaller version of the diagram is needed: Know Your Fertilizer Rights-4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept Dr. Tom Bruulsema, North America Northeast Region Director, presented "Know Your Fertilizer Rights - 4R Nutrient Stewardship Concept" in a webinar sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, on June 10, 2009.
History of the "4Rs" The 4Rs is a concept developed through a long history of cooperation between the fertilizer industry and the scientific community. Since at least 1988, application of the right nutrient source or product at the right rate, right time and in the right place has been closely associated with agricultural sustainability. This linkage is discussed on page 99 in the following paper from a conference proceedings published by IPNI's predecessor, the Potash & Phosphate Institute, and co-authored by an industry agronomist and a university professor. The other two papers written by IPNI staff for an IFA Workshop in 2007 mark a recent rebirth of this time-tested concept. Download: Optimum Fertilizer Use with Differing Management Practices and Changing Policies Download: Can we define a global framework within which fertilizer best management practices can be adapted to local conditions? Download: Right product, right rate, right time and right place … the foundation of best management practices for fertilizer

Additional Resources:

Best Management Practices Publications from IPNI: IPNI has produced several BMP publications that incorporate the 4R concept. Included are guides on turf, potatoes, corn, dairy farms, and more.

Download: A Global Framework for Fertilizer BMPs