A Perspective on the Nutrient Management Planning Process Eric McLean BenLedi Farm Ltd. Oak River, MB

BenLedi Farm History 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 Farm Plan 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