A Perspective on the Nutrient Management Planning Process

Eric McLeanBenLedi Farm Ltd.Oak River, MB

BenLedi FarmHistory

Farm roots of J.S. Henry & Son Who’s who and what we do? Crops

– Wheats, Barleys, Oats– RR, LL, & Specialty Oil Canola– Yellow Peas and Flax– Soybeans? Fababeans?

Our interests and pursuits…

Pursuit of Advancement

Technologies– Customers and neighbours look to us for opinions– Who, what, where, when, & why– Cost vs. return

Agronomic practices– Herbicides, fungicides, seed treatments

Environmental Stewardship– ALUS Pilot Project– Environmental Farm Plan

Beneficial Management Practices

ALUS

Alternate Land Use Services– Green box funding to preserve riparian, wetland, forest and

sensitive areas– Various increments of reimbursement for different degrees of

participation – 3 year commitment

BenLedi’s contribution– Landbase breakdown…30% of total acreage

Voluntary programs have great response!– Voluntary vs. government required

Environmental FarmPlan Investment

Beneficial Management Practices Utilized by BenLedi Farm:

– Product and Waste Management Fertilizer bins

– Improved Cropping Systems GPS Autosteers, VR technologies & software

– Improved Pest Management SP sprayer autoboom SP sprayer remote boom control JD Swath Control Pro

– Nutrient Management Planning… Total expenditures of over $160,000

Farm History of Nutrient Management Planning

Lack of Confidence in Soil Sampling Grid vs. Site specific Terrain issues Difficulty in believing the accuracy

Under Utilization of agronomic services Tough to trust recommendations

Blanket nutrient application Ain’t broke don’t fix it

What’s Variable Rate fertilizing about? How can we get into this…It seems to make sense!

Nutrient Management Planning for VR

Researching agronomists– In house vs. independents– VR based vs. traditional

Reviewing procedures– Short comings and limitations to different systems

Asking questions – VR Maps can tell many stories

Dealing with start up issues– Software, hardware, human error– Going to the field

RESULTS…

Agronomic Results

Nutrient Utilization Benefits– Proper placement– Proper amount

Crop uniformity– Improved input application timing and product effectiveness

Harvestability– Even rippening-straight combining advantage

Yield– On target with some surprises and some disappointments

Other Advantages…

Advantages

GPS tool implementation– Not just expensive toys to drive straight!

Utilization of soil management data Generation of VR prescriptions

– Calculating what is needed and where – not over applying needlessly

VR Application – Putting nutrients where they need to be

Profit/Loss/Breakeven– 30% to 50% repayment of services from EFP

What’s the future…

The future…?

Environmental Benefits Social Benefits Trade Benefits NMP when $ disappears Tips for consultants