Fertilizer Use in Canada
Tracking fertilizer use and nutrient management practices across Canada.
Fertilizer Use Survey
Canada’s agriculture industry is leading the way, providing innovative thinking for the sustainable use of fertilizer, making changes that positively impact the environment, the economy and the social fabrics of Canadian life. Fertilizer Canada promotes the voluntary adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®). Fertilizer Canada is improving the Canadian agriculture industry’s ability to report on sustainable nutrient stewardship practices. By linking commercial interest in the food sector, 4R Nutrient Stewardship can capture market opportunities arising from the food industry’s demand for information on how their food is being grown. Fertilizer retailers and farmers across Canada have adopted this framework to achieve cropping system goals and demonstrate enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability, helping to maintain our soil, air, and water.
It’s Simple to Implement 4R Nutrient Stewardship!
Fertilizer Use Survey
Background
The Fertilizer Use Survey assists in understanding the current state of fertilizer management in Canadian crop production and how growers use and make decisions about fertilizer applications. Conducted between the 2014 and 2022 growing seasons, the survey gathers data on fertilizer management practices and current knowledge of 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®) from growers across the country. The survey currently gathers information from canola and wheat growers in Western Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba), barley growers in Manitoba, grain corn and soybean growers in Ontario, grain corn growers in Quebec, and potato growers in P.E.I.
Data Collection
Scope
- Annual survey of approximately 2,000 Canadian growers
- Online 25 min survey – incentive of approx. $30 to complete
- Supplier: Stratus Ag Research
- Voluntary and unbiased
- Self assessment – not validated
FULL DATA SET – Password protected
To access the below data sets, please contact Simon North, Senior Agronomy Lead, at snorth@fertilizercanada.ca.
About the 2024 Survey
The Fertilizer Use Survey provides credible data that helps us understand nutrient management practices across the country. It offers valuable insight into the current state of 4R adoption in Canada and informs our efforts to support continuous improvement in agricultural sustainability. This research goes beyond numbers to capture farmer attitudes, motivations, and challenges.
About the 2023 Survey
The Fertilizer Use Survey has been conducted since 2014 to better understand fertilizer management practices and 4R awareness among Canadian growers. By tracking best management practices over time, the survey establishes a baseline for measuring progress, identifies barriers to adoption, and provides valuable insights to support more sustainable agriculture across Canada.
2021 Survey
2019 Survey
2017 Survey
