Making the link between science and policy: controlling N losses from agriculture in Canada

Nutrients should be supplied to agricultural crops in amounts, forms and at times when they can be most readily used. It is equally important that residual quantities of nutrients such as those present in livestock manures or portions of plants which are not harvested, are managed so that the largest possible amount of the nutrients they contain is recycled into subsequent crops. A summary is presented of Canadian activities, programs and policies for improved management of the part of the nitrogen cycle under direct farmer control in agricultural production systems. It presents a model for resource utilization which is ecosystem based and specific to agriculture. Canadian agriculture is described from the context of the resource base as well as the policy perspective. Recent projects and activities to monitor the situation and respond to various issues and concerns are presented.