Shipman farmer Thomas Connors and Regan Wear, crop adviser with CHS Shipman, have been named 4R Advocates by The Fertilizer Institute’s 4R Advocate program. They were commended for their ongoing work to select the right nutrient sources for their crops and apply them at the right rate in the right place at the right time.

The pair was recently honored at an awards banquet hosted by TFI during the Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana. They were joined by four other winning farmer/ag retailer pairs from Iowa, Ohio, Wyoming and Virginia.

Chris Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute, left, presents Shipman farmer Thomas Connors an award naming him a 4R Advocate for his ongoing nutrient management achievements.

The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program is part of a fertilizer industry initiative to encourage awareness and adoption of farming practices that protect the environment while optimizing productivity. In addition to promoting the application of soil nutrients at the right rate, right time, right place and from the right source, the program encourages collaboration with growers, retailers, conservation personnel and others to ensure sustainable agriculture for generations.

Connors and his family farm 2,500 acres of corn and soybeans and have a cow/calf operation.

“I’ve used the 4Rs since the ‘90s. I look for ways to be proactive and to behave responsibly for the environment and social good. Increased efficiency creates the economics and profitability. As improvements have been made, the amount of nutrients leaving my fields is minimal to none. I try and provide a sustainable operation that my family can farm for generations to come,” Connors said.

Prairie Farmer caught up with Connors at Commodity Classic to talk about his best management practices.

Connors and Wear share more of their story on the 4R YouTube channel.

Chris Jahn, president of The Fertilizer Institute, left, presents Regan Wear, crop adviser with CHS Shipman, an award naming him a 4R Advocate. He will be part of TFI’s outreach to champion the best management practices of choosing the right nutrient source to apply at the right rate in the right place at the right time.

Other winners: Darin Stolte, Olin, Iowa, and Jimmie Daugherty, crop adviser with River Valley Coop, Davenport, Iowa; David and Lowell Myerholtz, Gibsonburg, Ohio and John Fritz, certified crop adviser with The Anderson, Inc. in Fremont, Ohio, and Calvin Haile, Dunnsville, Virginia, and Lucas Householder, crop adviser with Southern States Cooperative, King William, Virginia, and Ric Rodriguez and Joe Bridges, crop adviser with the JR Simplot Company, both of Powell, Wyoming. TFI represents the fertilizer industry and supports programs encouraging stewardship while optimizing productivity for a vital aspect of agricultural production.