
BENCHMARK STUDY SITES
Eight benchmark sites across Canada’s major grain and oilseed regions provide the foundation for developing and validating emission reduction strategies, models, and metrics that support Canada’s agricultural climate goals.
At each of the benchmark sites we are investigating promising best management practices (BMPs) aligned with the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework – applying the Right fertilizer source, at the Right rate, at the Right time, and in the Right place®.


AB1
Location: Olds, AB
Established: 2025
Soil Type: Orthic Black Chernozem
Crops: Wheat, barley, canola
Treatments: Variable rate, inhibitors

AB2
Location: Lethbridge, AB
Established: 2025
Soil Type: Orthic Dark Brown Chernozem
Crops: Wheat, canola, peas
Treatments: Irrigation, inhibitors

SK1
Location: Aberdeen, SK
Established: 2025
Soil Type: Orthic Brown Chernozem
Crops: Wheat, canola, peas
Treatments: Inhibitors, diversified rotation

MB1
Location: Glenlea, MB
Established: 2004
Soil Type: Gleyed Humic Vertisol
Crops: Wheat, barley, canola, corn
Treatments: Nitrification inhibitors

MB2
Location: Clearwater, MB
Established: 2022
Soil Type: Gleyed Rego Black Chernozem
Crops: Wheat, barley, canola, corn
Treatments: Nitrification inhibitors

ON1
Location: Elora, ON
Established: 2000
Soil Type: Gleyed Gray Brown Luvisol
Crops: corn, soybean, winter wheat, cover crops
Treatments: Cover cropping, inhibitors

ON2
Location: Ottawa, ON
Established: 2002
Soil Type: Orthic Humic Gleysol
Crops: Corn, canola, soybean, wheat
Treatments: Reduced fertilizer rates, inhibitors

ON3
Location: Fergus, ON
Established: 2024
Soil Type: Orthic Gray Brown Luvisol
Crops: Corn, soybean, alfalfa
Treatments: Dairy crop rotations, inhibitors
