Survey details farmer attitudes toward fertilizer

Ottawa-Most Canadian agricultural producers are confident in the regulatory system that ensures commercial fertilizers and supplements used in food production are safe and effective, according to a recently published survey. Three quarters of agricultural producers canvassed in a national survey conducted last spring by Ipsos Reid for the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum (CFPF) said that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was doing a good job in its regulation of fertilizer and supplement products. The survey of 400 agricultural producers on a wide variety of soil treatment issues found that the vast majority is satisfied with the physical quality of the available fertilizers and supplements, and 90 percent approve of the blended products provided by manufacturers. Close to 20 percent, however, have complained about or returned a product for being lumpy or dusty. Farmers said they pay close attention to the cost of fertilizers and supplements and base their purchases on perceived benefit and availability of various products. The survey also found that farmers are looking to incorporate more manure and compost ?Çô when it is available ?Çô on their land to reduce their nutrient requirements. About half the respondents cited price as the main reason for using fewer products. Among other findings of the survey, only 2 percent of those polled said they had not used any fertilizers or supplements in the last three years. It also found that producers make annual use of traditional products containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash, but are less familiar with newer products such as wetting agents and biosolids. “The Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum conducted this survey to get a better idea of farmers’ usage, familiarity and attitudes towards fertilizers and supplements,” said Craig Rickard, chair of the CFPF. “Farmer input is critical to making sure that regulatory decisions governing fertilizers and supplements reflect the needs of Canadian farmers.” The CFPF is a forum of industry, farm groups, and other stakeholders launched in 2006 to develop consensus-based recommendations to the Canadian government to improve fertilizer regulations.