5 fall fertilizer strategies – CHS Inc.

Strategic Nutrient Management for Sustainable Agriculture and Economic Viability

Aligning Agronomic Practices with Sustainable Development Goals

As fall fertilizer applications for the 2026 crop commence, growers face significant economic pressure from low commodity prices and high input costs. This report outlines a strategic approach to nutrient management that aligns farm profitability with key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By optimizing nutrient investments, agricultural producers can enhance economic resilience while contributing to global targets for food security, environmental protection, and climate action.

The strategies detailed below support the following SDGs:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By ensuring optimal crop nutrition for maximized yields, these practices directly support food security and promote sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Efficient use of fertilizers minimizes waste and environmental impact, ensuring sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Protecting nitrogen from loss reduces emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
• SDG 6 & 15: Clean Water and Life on Land: Preventing nutrient runoff and leaching protects water quality and terrestrial ecosystems.

Foundational Strategies for Sustainable Nutrient Planning

1. Comprehensive Fertility Planning

A proactive, data-informed fertility plan is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture. In the current economic climate, it is crucial for growers to develop a comprehensive strategy with trusted agronomic advisors. This approach ensures that nutrient applications are both economically sound and environmentally responsible.

• Strategic Goal Setting: Develop a nutrient plan that balances production goals with financial constraints, directly contributing to the economic sustainability of farming operations and supporting SDG 2.
• Informed Decision-Making: Utilize expert guidance to make calculated decisions that prevent the misapplication of resources, a core principle of SDG 12.

2. Data-Driven Decision Making via Soil Analysis

Soil testing provides the essential data required for precision nutrient management. It establishes a baseline for fertility needs, enabling growers to make informed decisions that optimize resource use and protect the environment.

• Baseline Fertility Assessment: Utilize grid or zone sampling to understand existing nutrient levels and the removal rate from the previous crop.
• Variable-Rate Application: Employ soil test results to guide variable-rate fertilizer applications. This practice embodies the principles of SDG 12 by applying inputs only where needed, reducing waste and improving soil health.
• Yield and Environmental Protection: Avoids both under-application, which can lead to significant yield loss, and over-application, which can harm water systems and terrestrial ecosystems, thereby supporting SDG 6 and SDG 15.

Implementing Best Practices for Enhanced Efficiency and Environmental Stewardship

3. Adherence to the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Framework

The 4R framework is a globally recognized best practice for sustainable nutrient management. Its implementation is critical for maximizing crop potential and profitability while minimizing environmental impact.

1. Right Source: Match fertilizer type to crop needs.
2. Right Rate: Match application amount to crop needs, avoiding excess.
3. Right Time: Make nutrients available when crops need them.
4. Right Place: Keep nutrients where crops can use them.

Adherence to the 4Rs is fundamental to achieving SDG 2 and SDG 12, as it ensures nutrients are used effectively to grow crops efficiently, enhancing both the bottom line and environmental outcomes.

4. Leveraging Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs)

Technological advancements in fertilizer products offer significant opportunities to improve nutrient use efficiency and return on investment. EEFs ensure that nutrients are more readily available for plant uptake.

• Improved Phosphorus Efficiency: Products containing chelating agents can make phosphorus and other micronutrients more available to plants, maximizing the value of an expensive input.
• Nutrient Release from Residue: Biological crop residue digesters can unlock and release nutrients tied up in stover, contributing to a more circular nutrient economy on the farm.
• Contribution to SDG 12: These technologies directly support responsible production by making the most of every nutrient unit applied, reducing the need for excess inputs.

5. Nitrogen Protection and Climate Action

Nitrogen is a critical nutrient that is highly susceptible to environmental loss through processes like leaching, denitrification, and volatilization. Protecting nitrogen investments is essential for both agronomic success and environmental health.

• Use of Stabilizers: Nitrogen stabilizers minimize nutrient loss, ensuring nitrogen is available during critical growth stages and reducing the amount lost to the environment.
• Climate Action (SDG 13): By inhibiting denitrification and volatilization, stabilizers reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas with a warming potential nearly 300 times that of carbon dioxide.
• Water Protection (SDG 6): Preventing nitrogen from leaching into groundwater and surface water protects drinking water sources and aquatic ecosystems.
• Slow-Release Formulations: Products that provide a slow, steady release of nitrogen improve use efficiency and further reduce the risk of environmental loss.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• The article directly addresses the core principles of sustainable agriculture and food production. It focuses on strategies for farmers to “increase production to improve profit potential” and achieve “yield optimization,” which are central to ensuring food security. The entire discussion revolves around nutrient management to support crop growth, which is the foundation of the food supply.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The article emphasizes the “efficient use” of resources, specifically fertilizers. The promotion of the “4Rs of fertilizer – right source, right rate, right place and right time” is a direct call for sustainable management of agricultural inputs. Furthermore, the discussion on protecting nitrogen from loss through “leaching and denitrification” relates to the environmentally sound management of chemicals to prevent pollution of water and air.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article implicitly connects to this goal through its focus on soil health. Practices like soil testing are promoted to “establish a baseline for fertility needs” and guide applications for “improved soil health.” By preventing over-application and ensuring nutrients are used efficiently, these methods help maintain the quality and productivity of agricultural land, which is a key aspect of protecting terrestrial ecosystems from degradation.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 2: Zero Hunger

• Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers. The article’s central theme is helping farmers navigate a difficult economic environment with “low commodity prices and high input costs” by adopting strategies to “maximize crop and profit potential” and improve their “bottom line.”
• Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality. The article advocates for several resilient agricultural practices, including developing a “fertility plan,” conducting soil tests to avoid depleting or over-saturating soil, and using “enhanced efficiency fertilizers” to “make the most out of nutrient investments.” These practices are designed to increase productivity while improving soil health.

Targets under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article is a guide on how to efficiently use fertilizer, a key natural resource in agriculture. It highlights that “Phosphorus is notoriously one of the least efficient nutrients” and promotes products and practices to “improve nitrogen use efficiency.”
• Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil. The article directly addresses this by promoting nitrogen stabilizers to protect against loss through “volatility, leaching and denitrification.” This minimizes the release of excess nitrogen into the environment, which can pollute water (leaching) and air (denitrification).

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 2 (Targets 2.3 & 2.4)

• Crop Yield: The article frequently mentions “yield losses,” “yield optimization,” and the goal to “increase production.” The measurement of crop yield (e.g., bushels per acre) is a direct indicator of agricultural productivity.
• Farmer Profitability: The article highlights the economic pressure on farmers and the need to “improve profit potential” and affect their “bottom line.” Farmer income and profitability are key indicators for Target 2.3.
• Nutrient Use Efficiency: The article discusses making phosphorus more available and using products that “improve nitrogen use efficiency.” This can be measured as the amount of crop yield produced per unit of nutrient applied, serving as an indicator of sustainable production.
• Soil Fertility Levels: The article emphasizes soil testing to “establish a baseline for fertility needs” and avoid the high cost of “rebuilding fertility levels.” Regular monitoring of soil nutrient levels is an indicator of improved land and soil quality.

Indicators for SDG 12 (Targets 12.2 & 12.4)

• Adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship: The article states, “Following the 4Rs right now is so important.” The rate of adoption of the 4R framework (right source, rate, place, time) by farmers is a key process indicator for the efficient use of resources.
• Use of Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers and Stabilizers: The article recommends specific products like Trivar® and N Edge® Pro. The volume or percentage of fertilizer sold that includes these efficiency-enhancing technologies can be used as an indicator of progress.
• Nutrient Loss Rates: The article’s goal of “Minimizing loss by using a stabilizer” implies that measuring the reduction in nitrogen loss through leaching and denitrification is a relevant indicator. This directly measures the reduced release of chemicals into the environment.

SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: chsinc.com