At the IFCA convention on January 19, we are offering a special session focusing on preparing Certified Crop Advisers to take the 4R Certification Exam.  Pre-registration with the CCA program to take the exam in February ended in mid-December, but the exam will be offered consistently in the future and we encourage Illinois CCAs to become 4R Certified to demonstrate our industry's on-going commitment to provide leadership and solid agronomic recommendations to improve nutrient utilization and reduce nutrient losses.  Under the Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, we have until 2025 to reduce nitrogen losses by 15% and phosphorus losses by 25%, eventually reaching the goal of a 45% reduction of losses of these two nutrients to Illinois waters and to the Gulf of Mexico.  We must make measureable progress to avoid onerous regulation or potential litigation for failure to address the expectations of the Strategy document.  

 

The IL Nutrient Research & Education Council provided funding to the IL CCA program to provide this special training session.  While only CCAs can take the 4R Certification exam, anyone is welcome to attend the training session, and it provides 3 hours in nutrient management CEUs.  Those who attend the session will also receive a 4R Training Manual that provides detailed information on 4R approaches and is a good reference document for the exam and for the implementation of any 4R programs within your company.  Dr. Bill Simmons will be teaching this special 4R session at the convention, and you must register with IFCA to attend the CCA session.  To view the IFCA convention program in its entirety, click here.