De-risking BMP adoption: The Ontario pilot

In spring 2025, we launched the first pilot, recruiting a small group of farmers producing corn across Ontario. The Split Nitrogen Application Profit Guarantee Pilot is designed to help these farmers test split nitrogen application in their fields or update application rates. The pilot will pay these farmers in case of yield-based profit loss due to split nitrogen application on enrolled acres, which minimizes the risks associated with this practice. The program also offers subsidized technical support to help with nutrient-management planning, soil testing and rate determination. Split nitrogen application can lower input costs and improve responsiveness during the growing season, leading to higher yields and reduced nutrient losses. This not only benefits the environment, but also strengthens farm resilience by maintaining or even increasing profit margins.

The initial pilot will enable us to test the production guarantee model in the context of well-known nitrogen management and enhanced soil testing practices to define the application rate. This pilot is intended to collect data and refine program design elements. We will use findings from this pilot to inform future pilots, allowing us to apply the tool to other crops, BMPs and regions.