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
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 […]
Wheat Growers raise concern about Ottawa’s fertilizer proposal
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is raising the alarm about a federal proposal to roll back the use of fertilizer by 30 percent. President Gunter Jochum says Ottawa made the heavy-handed environmental proposal without consulting farmers or Fertilizer Canada. He says it is unworkable and not based on any practical science. Jochum says the […]