More efficient. More precise. More sustainable.
Canola 4R Advantage offers incentives to help growers initiate or advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship on canola acres. Expanding the use of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is an important opportunity to improve fertilizer efficiency, which is good for both farm productivity and our environment. Funding for Canola 4R Advantage is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).
New program enhancements
As the program enters year two, growers will have more cost-sharing opportunities. In addition to financial incentives offered in year one, growers can apply for:
- More dollars per BMP: Funding limits for each of these four BMPs will increase from $6,000 per BMP per farm to $20,000 per BMP per farm.
- More BMPs per farm: Each farm can seek support for up to four BMPs per year, compared to the limit of two BMPs per farm in year one.
- Funding continued adoption of new practices: Growers can seek funding to continue BMPs that were started since February 7, 2022. This change provides another incentive to keep using 4R practices over the long term.
- Added eligibility for 4R plan development: In addition to support for up to four BMPs, the program can reimburse a portion of consulting fees charged by a 4R designated agronomist to develop a grower’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship Plan.
Important dates
Year one claim submission deadlines
- April 15, 2023, for soil testing and field zone mapping BMPs*
- June 30, 2023, for preferred application and enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF) BMPs*
* If BMP was used for 2023 planting season. Deadline has passed if the BMP was used for 2022 planting season.
Year two application intake
- Applications expected to open in June 2023 (exact date to be announced)
- For expenses paid by growers from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024
BMPs funded
Growers can apply for funding to help pay for best management practices (BMPs) focused on nitrogen management. Up to 85 per cent of eligible costs can be reimbursed – up to a maximum of $75,000 from all OFCAF programs over the two-year OFCAF program lifetime.
1. Soil testing*
Soil sampling and lab analysis to help growers optimize nutrient applications based on soil needs and yield potential
2. Field zone mapping*
Consulting services to help growers pinpoint areas where applying more or less nitrogen can provide the best returns, based on past management practices, yield potential, terrain and a host of other factors
3. Enhanced efficiency fertilizer (EEF)
Products designed to release nitrogen over a longer period of time so more nutrients can be taken up by plants, and less nitrogen is lost to the atmosphere
4. Preferred application
Methods that band nitrogen into soil near seeding time or apply nutrients while canola crops are growing
*If eligible costs for the soil testing and field zone mapping BMPs are billed as bundled services, you will be asked to allocate a fair market value portion of the bundled cost to each applicable BMP (excluding any portions for ineligible costs). We will simplify this process as much as possible with our new application portal.
Learn more about BMP eligibility.
NEW: Funding to develop 4R plans
In year two of Canola 4R Advantage, growers can be reimbursed for up to 85 per cent of the consulting fees to have 4R Nutrient Stewardship Plans developed for their farms, for the purposes of this project.
A 4R plan is one of the requirements when applying for funding. To be eligible, your plan must be developed and verified by a Certified Crop Adviser or Professional Agrologist who has earned the 4R Nutrient Stewardship designation from Fertilizer Canada.
To find a qualified CCA or P.Ag. in your area, visit the Fertilizer Canada website for a listing of 4R designated agri-retailers.
Learn more about this new funding opportunity in the Program Guidelines.
Why choose 4R Nutrient Stewardship?
4R practices help grow the value of canola – for farmers, and for our planet.
The canola industry’s goal is to see 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices on 90 per cent of canola acres. It’s one of the key sustainability targets of our industry strategic plan.
More precise
4R Nutrient Stewardship helps growers apply the right source of fertilizer at the right rate, right time and right place for optimal results.
More efficient
Fertilizer dollars go further when growers can maximize the crop’s access to nutrients and minimize any losses.
More sustainable
The 4R program is recognized internationally as an effective set of practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while optimizing yields and profitability.
Learn more about 4R Nutrient Stewardship.
Funding for Canola 4R Advantage has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF).
Quick links
CCC resources
The Canola 4R Advantage information presented on this website is the latest available, and is subject to change without notice as the program evolves.