Southern Plains:
The last reference prices for Trio remained at $370/st for standard, $405/st for granular, $420/st for premium, $445/st for OMRI standard and fine standard, and $480/st for OMRI granular.
Southeast:
Sources said SOP Magnesia pricing offers in the region had been pulled due to extremely tight supply.
Eastern Cornbelt:
Potassium thiosulfate pricing was unchanged at $700/st FOB Terre Haute, Ind.
Eastern Cornbelt:
After a pleasant start to the week with highs commonly in the 60s, a cold front at midweek pushed temperatures in all three states down to the upper-30s and low-40s, with widespread rain reported across northern Ohio on Nov. 18. Slightly warmer weather was once again on tap for the weekend.
Growers continued to hammer away at the fall harvest. Progress on corn was rated at 95 percent complete in Illinois, 85 percent in Indiana, and 78 percent in Ohio by Nov. 14, with the soybean harvest estimated at 93 percent complete in Illinois and 88 percent in Indiana and Ohio.
Winter wheat planting was lagging slightly in the region, with progress by mid-month reported at 86 percent complete in Illinois and 92 percent in Indiana and Ohio.
Western Cornbelt:
Much cooler temperatures moved into the Western Cornbelt as the week progressed, with highs dropping to the upper-40s and a strong chance of precipitation by the weekend.
Growers made good progress on the fall harvest at mid-month, with 90-94 percent of the regional corn crop in the bin by Nov. 14. The soybean harvest was rated at 81 percent complete in Missouri and 97-98 percent in Iowa and Nebraska by that date, while Missouri’s cotton harvest had progressed to 86 percent and Nebraska’s sorghum harvest was rated at 91 percent complete.
Winter wheat planting was also well-advanced at 86-100 percent complete in Missouri and Nebraska as of mid-November.
Southern Plains:
Much of the Southern Plains enjoyed unseasonably warm weather as the week began, with highs reaching 74 degrees in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 15 and up to the high-80s in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Nov. 16. A strong cold front followed, however, with temperatures dropping to the 30s in Colorado and the 40s and 50s across New Mexico and Oklahoma.
A freeze warning was in effect for northern Texas on Nov. 18, with sub-freezing lows also expected in Oklahoma. A gradual warmup was expected again by the weekend, which should help growers move quickly on the remaining fall harvest in the region.
USDA reported that 94-100 percent of the corn was already in the bin in Colorado, Kansas, and Texas by Nov. 14, with the cotton harvest estimated at 30 percent complete in Kansas and 60 percent in Oklahoma and Texas. The Kansas soybean harvest was 85 percent complete by that date, slightly trailing the average pace for this date.
Some 82-89 percent of the regional sunflower harvest was finished by Nov. 14, with progress on the sorghum crop estimated at 83-85 percent in Kansas and Oklahoma, and 97-100 percent in Colorado and Texas.
South Central:
The week began with temperatures in the 70s across much of the South Central region, but rain and colder weather developed as the week progressed. Highs across Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky were expected to drop to the mid-50s on Nov. 18-19, with lows falling to the upper-20s in some locations by the weekend.
Growers were moving quickly to wrap up the fall harvest in the region. Fully 91 percent of Kentucky’s corn crop was in the bin by Nov. 14, while the soybean harvest had progressed by that date to 76-77 percent complete in Kentucky and Tennessee, 94-95 percent in Arkansas and Mississippi, and 100 percent in Louisiana.
The regional cotton harvest was also well advanced, with progress as of Nov. 14 estimated at 72 percent complete in Tennessee, 86 percent in Mississippi, 93 percent in Louisiana, and 94 percent in Arkansas.
Southeast:
The latter half of the week brought heavy rain to parts of southern Florida, with more than three inches expected in some locations over the weekend. The cold front also dropped temperatures to the 60s across Florida and Alabama, with lows falling into the 40s.
North Carolina growers had 100 percent of the corn and 66 percent of the soybeans in the bin by Nov. 14. The regional cotton harvest had progressed to 71 percent complete in North Carolina, 62-66 percent in Virginia and Alabama, and 52-55 percent in South Carolina and Georgia.
The peanut harvest was further along, with progress as of Nov. 14 estimated at 78 percent complete in South Carolina, 85-88 percent in Alabama and Georgia, 92 percent in North Carolina, and 96 percent in Virginia.
U.S. Gulf:
Bayou Boeuf Lock was reportedly available for weekday navigation between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. only. Vessels were heard returning to a 24-hour schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.
Floodgate construction underway at Bayou Chene restricted travel to between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. until further notice. Tows were capped at 600 feet of length, while strings measuring wider than 54 feet were mandated to use an assist vessel on all movements. In addition, intermittent dive operations were projected to trigger complete shutdowns of the area for up to 6-12 hours at a stretch.
Towing restrictions continued through Miles 113-116 in the Atchafalaya River, the Coast Guard reported. Localized in the Morgan City area, drafts were reportedly limited to 10 feet due to extensive shoaling, with tows limited to 600-foot lengths and 70 feet of width. Tows measuring longer than 400 feet were advised to use an assist boat. Vessels were recommended to detour through the Port Allen Route in order to bypass the restrictions.
Vessels traveling through Algiers Lock also faced length and width restrictions, effectively capping unassisted lockages to four standard barges or two 30,000 mt tankers per turn. Larger tows were possible when accompanied by an assist vessel, however.
A long-term construction effort underway at the Belle Chasse Bridge was expected to trigger intermittent navigational shutdowns through late 2022, with delays predicted up to 12 hours at a time. The bridge is located near Mile 3 in the West Canal.
Port Allen Lock delays were reported up to 28 hours for the week, with 25 tows counted in line to lock on Nov. 16. Vessels passing Industrial Lock faced wait times up to 24.5 hours, while intermittent Brazos Lock waits were noted up to 13 hours.
Mississippi River:
Revetment activities were noted restricting southbound travel at Miles 343-346 on the lower Mississippi River for the week. Tows moving downriver were limited to 20-25 barges during daylight hours, between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., triggering lengthy delays. The projected was anticipated to run through Dec. 1.
Rock-laying operations set to kick off on Dec. 1 will trigger intermittent daylight-hour navigation shutdowns at Mile 595. Expected to impact all movements through the area, the project was tentatively scheduled through Dec. 15.
Lock 5A, Lock 8, and Lock 10 were schedule to shut for the winter navigation season on Nov. 28, with Locks 4, 5, and 7 due to follow on Dec. 6. Lock 15 has a projected Jan. 1 shutdown date for the season, while Lock 24 was due to halt lockages for winter maintenance on Jan. 1-31.
Following Lock 24’s return on Jan. 31, Lock 15 was expected to reopen on March 3. Locks 5 and 7 were due to resume operation for the spring season on March 11, preceding a planned March 17 return to service for Locks 5A, 8, and 10. Lock 4 is due to reopen on March 21.
Lock 25 delays were noted up to five hours for the week. Intermittent Mel Price Lock wait times were noted in the 5-11 hour range.
Illinois River:
The Corps announced an extensive repair and maintenance project at Brandon Road Lock, set to begin on May 9, 2022.
The plan will see a daytime travel shutdown in place between May 9 and Aug. 14, followed by total lock closure running from Aug. 15 through Sept. 4. Daytime stoppages will resume on Sept. 5-8, followed by a return to normal operation on Sept. 9. A 70-foot width limit is expected on all lockages while the project is underway.
Wickets reportedly remained in the lowered position at both LaGrange Lock and Peoria Lock for the week, allowing tows to transit through the navigational pass.
Ohio River:
A prolonged bout of main chamber maintenance at Cannelton Lock, underway since June 21, was scheduled to conclude on Nov. 19. Adding to the restrictions, maintenance operations were also reported at the site’s secondary chamber on Nov. 1-19.
The Montgomery Lock primary chamber is reportedly shut through Dec. 22 for planned maintenance and repairs. With tows resigned to locking one barge at a time through the secondary chamber, delays reportedly swelled to 3-5 days in each direction, an increase from 41 hours in the prior report.
Main chamber work at Hannibal Lock, previously set to wrap up on Oct. 29, was extended through Dec. 10, prompting detours through the site’s smaller auxiliary chamber.
Use of the Dashields Lock auxiliary chamber remained unavailable during the week due to an underwater obstruction blocking the chamber’s lower miter gate since October. Passage was possible via the main chamber, with minimal delays expected.
On the Tennessee River, Kentucky Lock was reportedly shut through Nov. 24 for planned repairs. The Corps is scheduled to pass waiting vessels on Nov. 25-28, followed by a second total shutdown between Nov. 29 and Dec. 10. Tows were suggested to utilize Barkley Lock and the Barkley Canal as an alternate route while the project is underway.
Wilson Lock was noted returning from repairs on Nov. 11, ending a spate of staggered one-way operation. Southbound tows had been passing the site during daylight hours, while upriver-bound vessels were traveling overnight. Despite the return to operation, delays were reported up to 26 hours during the week, rising from 19 hours in the prior report.
Passage through the Allegheny River’s Lock 6 remained unavailable for the week due to miter gate damage.
Itafos Inc., Houston, on Nov. 18 announced the resumption of sulfuric acid supply to its Conda, Idaho, plant from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine. Following the resumption of sulfuric acid supply, Conda has returned to full production capacity.
Conda’s return to full production capacity is within the timeframe considered in the company’s revised full-year guidance for 2021 issued on Nov. 11, 2021. The guidance included adjusted EBITDA of $120-$130 million.
Itafos previously announced the disruption of sulfuric acid supply to Conda (GM Oct. 1, p. 1) after Rio Tinto announced that it had declared force majeure on shipments of copper cathode and sulfuric acid from its Kennecott mine after the smelter was shut down on Sept. 21, 2021, following a release of molten copper materials.
Conda purchases approximately 60 percent of its annual sulfuric acid requirements from Rio Tinto’s Kennecott mine under a long-term supply agreement.
Nutrien Soluções Agrícolas, São Paulo, has launched five new Experience Centers in Brazil, with plans for seven more this year. The company said the Experience Centers are a new innovative retail experience to deliver all agricultural input support to farmers, including products, service advice, technology, and financial management needs. The first five centers opened their doors in Patos de Minas, Uberaba, Patrocínio, Uberlândia, and Coromandel (MG).
“Agribusiness has changed over the years through the adoption of technologies,” said André Dias, President of Nutrien for Latin America. “Brazil is a world benchmark in agricultural sustainable productivity, with indices tripling on the same hectare of land. As a result, service to the farmer can no longer be the same.
“The sale of agricultural inputs and the services offered need to support this transformation,” he added. “Farmers are looking for customized recommendations to enhance their production. Our objective is end-to-end business partnership. The Nutrien Experience Centers connect growers to a broad selection of products, services, technologies, and financial management in a simple and streamlined way.”
“The Experience Centers go far beyond product points of sale,” said Carlos Brito, Nutrien’s Retail Director in Brazil. “They create an experience for connection and knowledge expansion. We provide a broad portfolio of products and services, intelligent logistics, specialized consultants, and differentiated information through digital tools. Nutrien brings to the market what the farmer needs with the partnership and trust at the center of every decision and every action.”
In addition to the Experience Centers, Nutrien said it has created an intelligent logistics model, with an efficient and streamlined delivery system that will guarantee access to its multi-brand platform to the market.
Nutrien reported that in addition to the five Experience Centers, it has 42 retail branches in Brazil, 48 in Argentina, 12 in Chile, and six in Uruguay.
Johnson Matthey (JM), London, has announced the appointment of Alberto Giovanzana as Managing Director of Catalyst Technologies.
He joins JM from BASF, where most recently he was Senior Vice President and Head of Global Technology for the €2B Nutrition and Health Division. Prior to this, he ran BASF’s Plastic Additives business in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and has also held various Marketing and Operations roles.
Argentina’s Province of Mendoza has selected Swiss financial services company UBS Group AG to find a partner to develop the Potasio Rio Colorado potash mine or sell the deposit. The province, which expects the selection process to take 18 months, believes it would cost at least US$1 billion to get the idled project into production.
Mendoza took over the project last year after Brazil’s Vale SA completed the handover of the asset to the provincial government after years of wrangling between the two parties. Vale had pulled the plug on the Rio Colorado potash project in 2013 after spending some $2.2 billion to build almost half the mine (GM Jan. 28, 2013). It acquired the potash project in February 2009 from Rio Tinto Plc (GM Feb. 9, 2009).
The original plans for the project envisaged an initial 2.1 million mt/y capacity with a second phase increasing that to 4.35 million mt/y, as well as the construction of a railway spur of 350 km to transport the potash to Argentina’s Bahia Blanca port.
However, according to a Bloomberg report, citing provincial officials, a more likely scenario for the project would be for an annual output of 1 million mt, which could be transported by truck. This scenario would need an investment of some $1 billion.
According to the Bloomberg report, Mendoza is prepared to scale down the project still further simply to get it operational. An investment of $200 million would reportedly produce enough potash for the Argentinian market and nearby neighbor Uruguay.
London-based organic phosphate producer Keras Resources PLC reported on Nov. 5 that due to a capital shortfall, operations at the Spanish Fork processing plant in Utah have been temporarily halted until funding issues can be resolved.
Keras acquired the majority stake in the organic phosphate operation in 2020 (GM Aug. 14, 2020), having acquired a 51 percent stake in Salt Lake City-based Falcon Isle Holdings.
Keras said it is now pursuing its legal options, which could include restructuring as it is the major creditor of Falcon Isle. It said to date it has already provided approximately $625,000 in additional working capital to Falcon Isle, which has been funded from Keras’s cash reserves, and that it has offered to acquire additional equity in the project.
Keras added that it is now looking at outsourcing marketing with a solution in place for first-quarter 2022 sales. The company reported that it has completed its 2021 mining campaign from the Diamond Creek Mine, with 8,520 mt mined and delivered to a laydown area.
While the tonnage falls below the company’s goal of 10,000 mt, it said there was previous inventory available from the 2020 marketing campaign. Keras said sales since the commencement of marketing in June 2020 total 3,061 mt.
The Diamond Creek Mine is located in Utah in a region between Vernal and Spanish Fork. The J.R. Simplot Co. operates a phosphate mine north of Vernal that supplies its Rock Springs, Wyo., fertilizer complex with phosphate ore via a slurry pipeline.
Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest said he aims to create the world’s first ammonia-powered ship before the end of next year, part of an ambitious plan to run his company’s fleet on a carbon-free version of the fuel, according to Bloomberg.
“This is just the first,” Forrest, Chairman and Founder of Fortescue Metals Group, said in an interview. “We have about 100 ships on the water, and we’ll be converting all our own ships over to green ammonia at the earliest possible opportunity, well within this decade.”
The first ship itself is tiny, with a transportation capacity less than a 100th the size of some of the world’s largest bulk commodity carriers. The announcement came on transport day of COP26, the climate summit held in Glasgow.
