As a network of perceptive, innovative, and resourceful farmers, the Ontario Soil Network (OSN) has been promoting soil health in Ontario agriculture since its founding in 2017. They are focused on environmental and financial sustainability and supporting innovations in agriculture through connection and collaboration with farmers. 

The OSN facilitates idea exchanges and collaborates to test and develop innovation to support the betterment of Ontario’s agricultural sector. 

The Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge seeks innovative solutions to optimize nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in Ontario farming operations. By focusing on applying the right rate of nitrogen at the right time and leveraging organic nitrogen pools, the goal is to reduce potential nitrogen loss, enhance soil health, and increase on-farm profitability. 

Successful solutions should:

• Enhance data-based decision-making regarding nitrogen application timing and rates. 
• Add value to soil health practices by quantifying and leveraging organic nitrogen sources (e.g., cover crops, organic amendments).
• Potentially be an innovative or an intelligence-based solution that updates and improves current practices (e.g., using AI to create variable rate maps).
• Be cost-effective and easily adoptable for the average field crop grower in Ontario (~1,000 acres).

Want to learn more? Register for the challenge webinar on December 5, 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET.

Think you have a solution for CMPC? Apply today.

The OSN Next-Gen Nitrogen Challenge is run with support from our agriNEXT program, and funded by the RBC Foundation and Farm Credit Canada.