Las Cruces, N.M.-Helena Chemical Co., which has been going the rounds with state environmental officials and even a few local residents over its in-state operations, is increasing its public presence in New Mexico communities. The latest indication involved taking a leading role in a New Mexico Ag Week event here last week. Helena, one of the sponsors, had Louis Rodrigue, corporate vice president, serving as moderator at the March Ag Industry Roundtable luncheon at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum, which also had other business and agriculture representatives on the program. Helena spokeswoman Linda Lockett wouldn’t say if it was part of an image-polishing effort, but did note that “Helena has been involved in several community initiatives, including supporting the youth ag programs, in the Las Cruces/Mesquite area for a number of years. Recently, they have been doing even more.” At the same time, Helena disclosed that the Collierville, Tenn.-based company is opening a facility in Walkerton, Va., to supply farmers in the region. A grand opening was scheduled March 20 at the facility, which includes 30,000 square feet of warehouse space and about 5 acres of yard space. Branch manager Don Cline says the facility will allow Helena Chemical to reach the Northern Neck area, which has a strong agricultural base. Helena also has facilities in Franklin, Mount Crawford, Tasley, and Winchester.
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Mazda introduces smaller urea SCR system
Hiroshima, Japan-Mazda Motor Corp. announced on March 16 that it has developed a smaller urea selective catalytic reduction system that curbs nitrous oxide emissions, and will become the first Japanese automaker to use the system in passenger cars. Mazda said it will install the SCR system in some of its CX-7 sport utility vehicles, slated for launch in Europe as early as July. The SCR system sprays liquid urea directly onto exhaust gas, triggering a chemical reaction that decomposes nitrous oxides, Mazda said. In a related development, Colonial Chemical Co., Terra Environmental Technologies, and Yara have been awarded licenses by the American Petroleum Institute (API) under its new Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Certification Program. Colonial Chemical, based in New Jersey, was the first to be awarded the license, which recognizes that the certified company meets the strict ISO quality standards for DEF. The API subsequently awarded licenses to Terra Environmental Technologies for its TerraCair Ultrapure® DEF (GM March 16, p. 11), and most recently to Yara. The new API license scheme has been designed to assure high quality of DEF sold in the U.S market.
Idaho says no to more mercury regulation
Boise-The Idaho Board of Environmental Quality has voted against a proposal to strengthen rules regulating mercury pollution, rejecting a motion that would have asked industries to voluntarily install the best technology to remove mercury from their smokestacks. The best technology proposal was opposed by the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry and Monsanto Corp., which runs an elemental phosphorus plant in Southeast Idaho’s Caribou County. The plant is the single largest source of mercury in Idaho, emitting about 600 pounds of mercury annually. Environmentalists petitioned for the rule change, contending mercury should be better regulated in Idaho because it can accumulate in fish and pose health risks to babies and children. But a researcher hired by opponents told the board that scientific data does not make a clear link between Monsanto’s plant and high mercury levels in nearby waters. Environmentalists also questioned the amount of mercury that might be discharged from Southeast Idaho Energy’s fertilizer plant in Power County west of Pocatello that recently was approved by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Justin Hayes, an Idaho Conservation League spokesman, said the ICL is deciding whether to return to the environmental quality board with a new petition or instead go to federal court. The Obama administration has signed an agreement with 140 countries to draft a treaty that uses “a combination of legally binding and voluntary commitments” to halt mercury emissions into the environment worldwide. The Washington Post reports the treaty will be legally binding.
Indoor growing gains boost in Texas
Baytown, Tex.-Sustainable Power Corp., which produces a 7-3-7 biochar organic fertilizer along with biocrude and biogas from waste organic materials, has joined forces with Sustainable Produce Corp. to acquire Angel Eyes Produce Co. of Massena, N.Y., which grows organic produce in super-grow buildings. According to Sustainable Power CEO Richard Cutler, “We can now provide essentially a total solution. We can use the endless supply of municipal solid waste to grow food locally anywhere in the world.” Cutler said Angel Eyes has perfected its Terraponics process to utilize the best of hydroponic and hydroculture technologies to grow indoors, in an impervious, secure facility, as much on one acre as is being done today on 100 to 500 outdoor acres. Sustainable Power, through Sustainable Produce Corp., is building a demonstration farm in Baytown, with an eye toward creating commercial-size indoor farms.
IPNI warns against steep fert cutbacks this spring
Norcross, Ga.-Scientific staff for the International Plant Nutrition Institute are cautioning growers not to cut fertilizer rates too sharply this spring. “We did not have a normal fall fertilizer season in 2008 and that is putting a lot of pressure on moving product this spring,” said Dr. Terry Roberts, president of the IPNI. “There has been lots of talk about price dictating 2009 cropping plans, but farmers are holding off on decisions hoping for better prices and considering cutting back on phosphate or potash, while retailers are sitting on higher priced inventory. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking.” Roberts stressed that fertilizer is still a good investment for farmers, even in this challenging economy. “Each dollar spent on fertilizer can return up to two or three dollars or more in profit, depending on conditions,” he said. “Farmers cannot afford to cut back on needed fertilizer nutrients, nor chance delaying their application. The current market fluctuations are unsettling and making everyone sharpen their pencils, but let’s not forget some basic economics … cutting back on fertilizer below optimum rates will not reduce the cost of seed, pesticides, fuel, rent, or taxes, but it will decrease yields and it will decrease profits.”
Harris Moran acquires GeneFresh Technologies
Modesto, Calif.-Harris Moran and its France-based sister company, Clause, recently announced the acquisition of privately-held GeneFresh Technologies in Salinas, Calif. Harris Moran and Clause are a business unit of global seed giant Vilmorin & Cie in France. The acquisition strengthens the two companies’ position in the leafy vegetable market while giving GeneFresh access to well-established upstream technologies and a global distribution platform. GeneFresh will continue to operate out of its Salinas and Yuma, Ariz., hubs as a stand-alone division, with Dennis Choate of Harris Moran named as Interim General Manager, Nathan J. Olivas as Director of Research, and Doug Henry as Director of Sales.
USDA launches biotech pilot project
Washington-USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in January introduced a pilot of the biotechnology quality management system (BQMS) that the agency said is designed to enhance compliance with the regulatory requirements for field trials and movements of certain genetically-engineered organisms. “Our goal with the biotechnology quality management system is to give developers the tools they need to better comply with our regulations,” said Michael Gregoire, deputy administrator for APHIS’s biotechnology regulatory services program. “The pilot project provides us with an opportunity to further develop and improve the system before its full implementation.” APHIS has accepted five volunteer participants into the pilot project: Bayer CropScience, BASF Plant Science, J.R. Simplot Plant Science, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. The participants will develop, implement, and maintain a quality management system within their organization to proactively manage the movement and field release of regulated GE organisms. As part of the process, they will work to identify vulnerabilities in their processes for working with GE organisms; develop or revise standard operating procedures that address vulnerabilities; properly train personnel on the standard operating procedures; and undergo a third-party audit to determine effectiveness of their quality management system. The pilot project will also test the feasibility of the BQMS audit standard and accompanying guidelines, available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/biotechnology/news_bqms.shtml. A formal comment period on the audit standard will also be announced in the Federal Register. APHIS announced its intention of developing a voluntary compliance assistance system in fall 2007 to help universities, small businesses, and large companies develop sound management practices to enhance compliance with APHIS regulatory requirements for GE organisms. BQMS is intended to supplement existing APHIS regulatory and inspection requirements.
Iowa sprayer company wins ‘product of the year’
Willoughby, Ohio-CropLife IRON magazine recently announced that Hagie Manufacturing is the winner of the publication’s 2008 Product of the Year award. Croplife IRON said Hagie’s innovative All-Wheel Steering reduces a sprayer’s turning radius from 18 feet to less than 10 feet, and is available on all 2009 models of Hagie’s STS10 and STS12 units. Hagie, headquartered in Clarion, Iowa, was presented with the award at the Wisconsin Crop Production Association conference and trade show in Madison, Wisc., on Jan. 13-15. Other finalists for the 2008 Product of the Year award included the Patriot 3330 sprayer from Case IH; the 8275 Predator sprayer/spreader from GVM; the MultiBin spreader from New Leader/Highway Equipment; and the 7660 sprayer from Spra-Coupe.
FMC broadens sunflower herbicide portfolio
Philadelphia-FMC Corporation recently announced the introduction of Spartan® Charge herbicide for the preemergence control of broadleaf weeds in sunflowers. The dual-action herbicide can be used for both preplant burndown and preemergence weed control, and targets “puffball” kochia and other tough broadleaf weeds. FMC says Spartan Charge can be used effectively in a wide range of tillage systems, including no-till, minimum till, and conventional till, and can be applied as a burndown herbicide prior to planting, as an early preplant, or in a preemergence application up to three days after planting. The standard application rate for the product ranges from 3.75 fl oz/acre to 8.50 fl oz/acre, and FMC says Spartan Charge is a reliable tank-mix partner with preemergence grass herbicides or with glyphosate and other pre-plant burndown broad-spectrum herbicides. In addition, FMC says the reduced rotational intervals required with Spartan Charge give growers greater rotational flexibility for corn and other crops. Spartan Charge can be used on a variety of crops in addition to sunflowers, including dry field peas and chickpeas, soybeans, and tobacco.
Management Briefs
Tim Forshee has been hired by American Fertilizer Exchange as sales manager for a new regional office in Tifton, Ga. Forshee has 23 years of experience in the industry, most recently with Oakley Fertilizer. He can be reached at 866-388-9940, by cell at 229-339-4229, or by email at forshee6@bellsouth.net.