Southport, N.C.-Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has signed an agreement with the Gypsoil Division of Beneficial Reuse Management LLC (BRM) to market gypsum (calcium sulfate) produced at ADM’s Southport, N.C., citric acid plant. The product is marketed as Gypsoil brand gypsum, used by producers to improve soil fertility and structure. “Gypsoil is an excellent option for supplying calcium, a nutrient that is important to a wide variety of crops, but particularly essential for peanut growers,” said Ron Chamberlain, director of gypsum programs for Gypsoil/BRM. Calcium deficiencies in large-seeded peanut varieties, including Virginia and Jumbo Runner types, produce underdeveloped kernels, dark spots on seeds, poor germination, poor grades, and pod disease. Peanut growers typically apply gypsum at rates of 1,000-2,000 pounds per acre to avoid these problems. The companies said applying Gypsoil to cropland also improves soil structure by neutralizing the metals and chemical salts that bind to clay particles and cause poor soil structure and sealing at the soil surface. “This results in less ponding and runoff after a rain, as well as less soil erosion when Gypsoil is used on tight clay soils,” said Chamberlain. Gypsum produced at ADM’s Southport facility is a co-product of citric acid production from corn fermentation. “We are excited about serving an even greater number of Southeastern growers through our partnership with Gypsoil,” said Katheryne Rehberg, ADM product manager, Acidulants. “Gypsoil brings a broad base of technical knowledge on the use of gypsum for agricultural production.”
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