After 64.5 years in the fertilizer business, undoubtedly a record, industry veteran Robert (Bob) Taliaferro is retiring from the fertilizer business and closing the door of his company, American Fertilizer Exchange, Brandon, Fla., effective Sept. 30.
After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in agronomy, he began his career with the American Agricultural Chemical Co. (Agrico) and went on to also work for Swift Co. and Usamex, before starting American Fertilizer Exchange in 1987.
Taliaferro told Green Markets that his company has made a profit each year since it started and that over the years it has dealt with all basic fertilizer materials, procuring them direct from the producer and selling them to the independent dealer.