Open to: All – BCIA Registrants and Public Welcome! (A BCIA account is required to register)

This year’s nitrogen management module series, "N is for Nitrogen 2.0," builds upon last year’s sessions, "N is for Nitrogen," by expanding on key nitrogen management strategies and introducing new topics.

• Feb 6 - Session 1: A review of nitrogen management in agriculture, summarizing last year’s Modules 1 and 2 from N is for Nitrogen.

• Feb 13 - Session 2: Nitrogen management in regenerative agricultural systems, covering:
  • Principles of regenerative agriculture
  • Soil organic matter’s role in nitrogen supply
  • Using legumes, manure, compost, and cover crops as nitrogen sources
  • Understanding nitrogen availability from organic fertilizers
• Feb 20 - Session 3: Best management practices for efficient nitrogen management, focusing on
  • Minimizing nitrogen losses in agricultural systems
  • Matching crop nitrogen needs with manure and fertilizer applications
  • Strategies to reduce excess soil nitrogen in the fall (including cover cropping)
  • Reducing volatilization and denitrification losses from nitrogen sources

This series is designed to provide both foundational knowledge and practical strategies for improving nitrogen use efficiency in agricultural systems. Join us for the three-part webinar series and discover the key to successful nitrogen management in agriculture and reclamation with Ruth McDougall, M.Sc, P.Ag.

Session 1: Review of Nitrogen Management in Agriculture and Reclamation

In this first webinar in the N is for Nitrogen 2.0, Ruth McDougall, M.Sc, P.Ag. will be discusing the critical importance of nitrogen in plant growth and sustainable land management in this comprehensive session. Explore how nitrogen impacts agriculture and reclamation sites, understand its transformations, and learn best practices for efficient nitrogen use to maximize crop uptake while minimizing environmental losses.

Key Topics Covered:

• The Role of Nitrogen in Plant Growth:

  • Why nitrogen is essential for plants.
  • How much nitrogen crops need and when they need it.
  • Nitrogen uptake and cycling on reclamation sites vs. agricultural sites.

• Environmental Considerations:

  • Key issues with nitrogen, including environmental impacts.
  • Strategies to maximize crop uptake and minimize losses:
    • Rate, timing, placement, application technology, and climatic influences.

• Nitrogen Forms and Transformations:

  • Forms of nitrogen in soil and manure.
  • Differences between chemical and organic fertilizers.

• Regulatory Framework and Tools:

  • BC regulatory requirements and tools for nitrogen management.

This session is ideal for those looking to enhance their knowledge and practices in nitrogen management for both agricultural and reclamation purposes.

Who Should Attend:

• Farmers and agricultural professionals.
• Environmental scientists and land managers.
• Educators, students, and advocates of regenerative practices.

Presenter: Ruth McDougall, M.Sc, PAg, is an acknowledged expert in BC in the on-farm management of nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural waste, fertilizing residuals, and soil fertility. She prepares Nutrient Management Plans for a wide range of types of agricultural operations on an ongoing basis. She has written several guidelines documents for using nitrogen and other nutrients on farms in BC. She is certified by the BC Ministry of Agriculture as a nutrient management planner in BC.
She is also an expert in the characterization of fertilizing residuals, including municipal biosolids, and their beneficial reuse in fabricated soil, on agricultural land, in mine and aggregate extraction site reclamation, landfill closure, and compost. She has extensive experience managing and land application of municipal biosolids, municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent, livestock waste, and other residuals. She has extensive knowledge of the BC environmental regulations for the beneficial reuse and composting of these wastes. She has 25 years of experience with residential recycling in BC.

This event is supported by the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF). Funding for the BCCAF has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund. BCCAF is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation. To learn more, visit www.bccaf.ca