We’re hearing a lot about SMART Farming today so Smart Nitrogen makes a lot of sense don’t you think? That’s what ESN is all about – Smart Nitrogen. It is a urea granule comprised of 44% nitrogen, contained within a flexible polymer coating. This coating protects the nitrogen from loss mechanisms and releases nitrogen in response to soil temperature. ESN …
4R Approach is Good Agronomy to Award Winner
Rick Klevze is the location manager at the GROWMARK FS Bloomsbury, New Jersey location and was one of five crop specialists recently named as the first recipients of the new GROWMARK Endure 4R Advocate award. Klevze, who has over 35 years of experience and has been a Certified Crop Adviser since 1994, believes the 4R approach is a sensible way …
4R is Right for @GROWMARK Award Winner
Jason Wesslund, area manager for the eastern half of Heritage FS in central Illinois, was one of five crop specialists recently named as the first recipients of the new GROWMARK Endure 4R Advocate award. Wesslund supervises four agronomy locations and four energy territories and also leads education and training of sustainable best management practices at Heritage FS. Wesslund uses the …
ATF Rules West Fertilizer Explosion a Criminal Act
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has ruled that the fire which caused the explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas on April 17, 2013 was started intentionally. ATF says they have tested and ruled out all accidental or natural causes, and are now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest …
First of its Kind Report Details Impact of Fertilizer
While we often take for granted the important role fertilizer plays in food production, the economic impact in terms of jobs provided by the industry has been generally overlooked. Now a study sponsored by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is shedding light on those numbers at both the state and congressional district levels. “We are excited to be able to share …
Pirkle Receives #ARA2015 Distinguished Service Award
The Agricultural Retailers Association presented its 2015 Distinguished Service Award to Billy Pirkle, who has served as chairman of ResponsibleAg, an industry initiative which kicked off last year at this time. The organization assists fertilizer facilities with federal regulatory compliance through education, training and certification. “Agricultural retailers are already committed to stewardship and safety,” said Pirkle, who is Senior Director …
Qualls Named Executive Director of ResponsibleAg
Bill Qualls has been selected by the Board of Directors as the new Executive Director of ResponsibleAg. His new responsibilities include recruiting for retailer and auditor, monitoring the quality assurance program as well as advising the board. Most recently Qualls has been the Lead Auditor for Global Environmental, Health and Safety at the Eastman Chemical Company. He also serves as …
EDF to Help Reduce Emissions from Ag
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and partners have been awarded a $960,000 Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) from the USDA to help almond and corn farmers increase fertilizer use efficiency, improve soil health, reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and expand the potential of fertilizer protocols to generate carbon credits from agriculture. “This project will demonstrate how growers implementing enhanced nitrogen management processes …
Capture Higher Yields with Capture LFR
Corn prices are lower than they have been in recent years, which makes maximum yields more important than ever. FMC Corn Segment Manager Matt Hancock says even with the weather challenges farmers have faced this year, corn yields are forecast to be the third largest ever. “I think that gets back to good, sound agronomics,” said Hancock in an interview …
N-Watch Update from GROMARK’s Dr. Brown
The N-Watch program was developed by GROWMARK director of nutrient management and environmental stewardship Dr. Howard Brown as a tool to estimate the concentration of plant-available N throughout the year. The program started with 45 sites in Illinois and continues to grow. “Currently we are looking at over 900 sites from Nebraska to southern Ontario,” said Brown. “The purpose is …