Silver Spring, Md.-Registrants to Green Markets‘ Oct. 11 audio conference heard interesting insights into controlled release fertilizer products from three companies at the forefront of this growing technology. Speakers for the event included Todd Denzin, sales manager for Agrium Diversified Products; Allen Sutton, vice president of research and development for AGROTAIN International LLC; and Dr. Terry Tindall, senior agronomist for J.R. Simplot Company. Denzin discussed ESN®, Agrium’s patented-process controlled release nitrogen product for broad acre crops. Denzin noted the company’s expanded ESN150 production facility at Carseland, Alberta, where total capacity of 150,000 mt/year makes it the largest polymer-coated controlled release fertilizer production facility in the world. He also discussed Agrium’s research into ESN® use in developing markets such as tobacco and cotton, and its suitability as an alternative to ammonium nitrate. Sutton spoke on AGROTAIN’s proprietary nitrogen sources utilizing urease and nitrification inhibitors to stabilize urea and UAN and minimize volatilization, noting the products’ growth and success in numerous field tests. Total volumes for AGROTAIN-containing products in Spring 2006 was more than 600,000 mt. Dr. Tindall spoke on Simplot’s AVAIL polymer-coating phosphate technology, noting test results showing the product’s success at promoting cell division, root formation, seedling development, crop maturation, and resistance to drought, disease, and cold temperatures. An audio recording of the 90-minute conference is available on CD-ROM for $199, and can be ordered by visiting http://www.pf.com/eventDetail.asp?id=62&type=2.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain