Updated: September 27, 2021
About Fertilizer Reduction
The Federal Government has signalled that it will require a reduction of nitrous oxide as a part of an emissions reduction strategy.
Although that sounds sensible, solutions must be practical, realistic, and not at odds with other government objectives, nor risk food sustainability.
The target of an absolute reduction in nutrients used to produce our food was done without consultation with the fertilizer industry or Canadian grain and oilseed farmers.
The Issues
- Fertilizer Canada has prepared a comprehensive report here.
- Highlights include:
- A focus on an absolute emissions reduction, rather than an intensity-based target, is misplaced and will likely cause severe economic harm.
- Using modeling software, we’ve estimated that a 30% absolute emission reduction for a farmer with 1,000 acres of canola and 1,000 acres of wheat would have their profit reduced by $38,000 to $40,500 annually.
- Across Western Canada this would mean canola revenues would be reduced by up to $441 million, while wheat revenue could experience a reduction of $400 million.
- More emissions can be reduced through increased uptake of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program, while actually improving the competitiveness and profit of farmers.
- A reduction in fertilizer use is contrary to the UN goal of eliminating world hunger by 2030.
- The Federal government has set a target to increase Canadian agriculture exports from $55 billion in 2015 to at least $85 billion by 2025. This 55% increase is not attainable if the Federal Government reduces nitrogen fertilizer use by 30%.
Our Position
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers support the position taken by Fertilizer Canada for the Federal Government to work with industry and grain farmers alike in order to recognize steps that have already been taken as well as workable solutions for the grain industry going forward.
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers are supportive of biological and breeding technologies that improve a plants nutrient efficiency.
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers support the adoption of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program.
What We Are Doing
Trudeau government targets grain growers as worst emissions offenders
“I would like to know where they got their facts from,” said Gunter Jochum. “I believe those facts were entirely made up because in Canada we don’t even have a baseline as to what the true emissions are.”
Reduction of fertilizer use raising concerns in ag industry
Stephen Vandervalk, Alberta vice president for the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, is frustrated by the additional requirements producers will have to meet as a result of the target. “I can’t even wrap my head around what it means to my farm,” Vandervalk told the News. “It’s pretty hard for us in agriculture to do […]
Agriculture Roundup for Wednesday January 19, 2022
Manitoba has a new agriculture minister. Interlake-Gimli MLA Derek Johnson replaces Ralph Eichler after a cabinet shuffle on Tuesday. Western Canadian Wheat Growers (WCWG) President Gunter Jochum said the organization is looking forward to a continued relationship with the department. “The Wheat Growers have played a strong role in building agriculture policy that benefits growers, […]
Congratulations to Manitoba Minister of Agriculture Appointment
CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers offer their congratulations to the Honourable Derek Johnson upon his appointment as the Manitoba Minister of Agriculture. “The Western Canadian Wheat Growers look forward to a continued strong relationship with the Manitoba Minister of Agriculture, Derek Johnson. The Wheat Growers have played a strong role in building agriculture […]
Congratulations to the New Directors on Sask Wheat Commission
CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers would like to congratulate the four newly elected Directors of the Sask Wheat Development Commission. The new Directors: Robert Stone, Scott Hepworth, Jake Leguee and Brett Halstead will play key roles as the Commission continues to provide “supporting research, market development and advocacy to maximize profitable and sustainable […]
GM wheat takes a 136,000-acre step forward
Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, wishes she had access to that technology on her farm near Mossbank, Sask., this year. “That is exactly what we need here in Saskatchewan,” she said. “We tend to have more dry years than we do wet years, so I would welcome that wholeheartedly.”
Emission reduction goals too costly?
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association said its members were “shocked by the depth of the impact” that Ottawa’s proposed 30 percent emissions reduction plan would have on growers and the Canadian ag sector. WCWG said income losses caused by lower projected yields in corn, canola and wheat would cost farmers $2.95 billion a year […]
Cdn. ag industry groups react to fertilizer report
The Canola Council of Canada and Western Canadian Wheat Growers are among those worried with recent findings that the industry could lose almost $50 billion by 2023 and 2030 if the federal government moves forward with its planned fertilizer reduction targets.
Wheat Growers Concerned About MNP Analysis On Proposed Fertilizer Reduction
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers says it’s shocked by the depth of the impact of the federal government’s proposed 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions. Fertilizer Canada has completed an independent analysis of the effects of the proposed emissions reduction. The analysis was done by Meyers Norris Penny (MNP).
Analysis of Proposed Fertilizer Emissions Reduction Will Devastate Canadian Farmers
CALGARY, AB: The Western Canadian Wheat Growers are shocked by the depth of the impact of the federal government’s proposed 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions. Fertilizer Canada has had an independent analysis of the effects of the proposed emissions reduction. The analysis by Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) calculates that “If Canada adopt(s) the EU model, […]
2030 target creating uncertainty around the future of fertilizer use
Fertilizer Canada, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Grain Growers of Canada, and others are warning the government that restrictions on overall fertilizer use would have a direct negative impact on crop yields, farm incomes, and Canada’s overall agricultural output. It’s possible overall emissions could even increase, as more acres and other inputs, such as […]
Western Canadian Wheat Growers Launch Fertilizer Awareness Campaign
“The Federal Government has stated that they want to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30%, but have no plan or details how to accomplish this. They have not consulted with farmers or industry and yet make #fakepolicy announcements. The only way to achieve this is through a reduction in fertilizer use,” said Gunter Jochum, President and […]