Agrium Advanced Technology (AAT) hosted many leading agronomists at a research roundtable following the annual American Society of Agronomy (ASA) meeting in Cincinnati.
This year marked the ninth research roundtable, and agronomists presented their research findings on ESN Smart Nitrogen and other AAT products in the agriculture, turf and ornamental, and specialty agriculture areas.
“We work closely with researchers from across North America to determine the best management practices and performance benefits of ESN and all our products,” said Alan Blaylock, Ph.D., agronomy manager for AAT. “The research roundtable offers an opportunity for the researchers we work with to share findings and ideas and gives us great insight into the strengths and challenges of managing ESN and our other controlled-release fertilizers.”
Agrium quoted several fertility and agronomy specialists in reporting on the roundtable: Richard Ferguson, Ph.D., University of Nebraska; Tarlok Sahota, Ph.D., Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station, Canada; Bobby Golden, Ph.D., Mississippi State University Delta Research and Extension Center; Kurt Steinke, Ph.D., Michigan State University; Kelly Nelson, Ph.D., University of Missouri; Joel Ransom, Ph.D., North Dakota State University Extension; and Charles Shapiro, Ph.D., University of Nebraska.
Researchers discussed the volume of science that AAT can present, across a number of crops in agriculture, turf and ornamentals, and specialty agriculture, saying few enhanced efficiency fertilizers are backed by the extensive body of research AAT has compiled.
“We have partnered with land-grant universities and other researchers to collect more than 700 crop-years of research,” said Blaylock. “These researchers provide us with valuable insight. Such work is absolutely essential to understand the value of these technologies and how to properly use them. It’s important for us, our customers, and the end users. We look forward to continuing our strong relationships to gather more data.”
The Mosaic Company has entered the initial phases of expanding its existing Faustina site in St. James Parish in Louisiana, the company announced on Friday. The company has started its initial engineering and design work on what could be a $700 million ammonia production plant.
A final decision on whether to make the investment needed is projected to be made by mid-2013, after the engineering design and cost evaluation of the project are completed. Once approved, construction to expand the plant would start in 2014 and would likely begin operating in early 2016.
“Mosaic said that they will bring back more ammonia production from overseas,” said Gov. Bobby Jindal of the proposed project, according to The Advocate.
The expansion would triple the current ammonia production capacity at Faustina. New production is expected for sister sites in Florida that manufacture fertilizer products.
“As the world’s leading producer of phosphate and potash crop nutrients, Mosaic’s mission is to help the world grow the food it needs,” said Richard Krakowski, vice president-supply chain. “Our Louisiana operations are vital to that mission, and ammonia is an essential part of our manufacturing processes. We’re eager to conduct the engineering and design evaluation that will lead to a final investment decision next year.”
Louisiana is offering Mosaic a Modernization Tax Credit of $3 million, which would be claimed over a five-year period.
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