Anuvia Plant Nutrients, Zellwood, Fla., on May 21 announced that an independent study by Environmental Resources Management (ERM), a global environmental consulting firm, verified the sustainability impact of Anuvia’s technology on corn, rice, and cotton.
Anuvia said the study found that its plant nutrient technology reduces greenhouse gases (GhG) on production by up to 32 percent compared to the use of conventional fertilizers, while at the same time increasing farmers’ profitability. Greenhouse gases are produced when nutrients in traditional fertilizer are lost as gas or vapor into the atmosphere, largely in the form of N2O and CO2. Agriculture accounts for nearly 10 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., according to EPA.
Data was gathered in cooperation with several universities and agricultural centers in the U.S. It was then combined with international data standards for environmental impact to determine final results.
Anuvia said it outperformed conventional fertilizers in both the sourcing and manufacturing of the product (called the Cradle to Gate Phase) and the Use Phase, which is when the nutrients are actually distributed onto the field. Highlights included 10 percent reduction of greenhouse gases on corn, 32 percent reduction of greenhouse gases on cotton and rice, and 4 to 13 times lower carbon footprint (against traditional inorganic fertilizers) from manufacturing process.
“This was an in-depth, rigorous exercise to assess carbon footprint through every phase of the product life cycle, including sourcing materials, manufacturing, and in use on field,” said ERM Technical Director Braulio Pikman, who was the lead author of the study. “In this respect, the results of study truly stand out, suggesting that Anuvia can make a significant, immediate impact on reducing greenhouse gases globally, while at the same time, help agriculture become even more efficient and effective.”
Anuvia said based on the study, it is possible to state that for every million acres of crops that use Anuvia, the reduction of greenhouse gases is the equivalent of removing 20,000 to 30,000 cars from the roads. With 90 million acres of corn in the U.S. alone, this would conservatively translate to 1.8 million cars removed in perpetuity. Anuvia said its product is already in use on more than 500,000 acres, with production capacity planned to dramatically increase by 2020.
“Our innovative technology helps large-scale commercial farms become more sustainable immediately,” said Anuvia CEO Amy Yoder. “Consumers and mainstream retailers like Walmart are increasingly demanding sustainable practices across the supply chain. Anuvia helps farms stay competitive in this changing landscape.”
Anuvia also argues that its nutrient system is more efficient in feeding plants and farmers can grow bigger and better crops, reaping more from their current acreage. With an average yield increase of 5.1 percent across major crops such as corn, rice, wheat, canola, and cotton, farmers ultimately see a 3-5x ROI.
Anuvia also rolled out an endorsement from Southern States Cooperative, Richmond, Va. “As a cooperative owned by 200,000 farmers, we have a responsibility to our members that products we recommend will work as promised on the field,” said Southern States COO Steve Becraft. “Anuvia’s performance yield and profitability has earned our trust and the trust of our members.”