CF Industries Holdings Inc. has announced that it has entered into long-term ammonium nitrate supply agreements with Orica International Pte. Ltd. and Nelson Brothers LLC, a joint venture between an Orica affiliate and Nelson Brothers Inc. Under the terms of the related agreements, CF has committed to supply between 700,000 to 800,000 tons of industrial grade ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate solution on an annual basis for a period of at least 10 years beginning Jan. 1, 2017. CF says the agreements account for 70 percent of the annual AN capacity at its Yazoo City Nitrogen Complex in Mississippi. Product prices will be tied to natural gas prices.

Yara International ASA, citing lower fertilizer prices, saw a 97 percent drop in net income for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2013 to NOK 59 million on sales of NOK 20.6 billion versus the year-ago NOK 2,153 million and NOK 21 billion, respectively. Deliveries, however, were up.

Full year NOK was off 46 percent to NOK 5,748 million on sales of NOK 85 billion versus 2012’s NOK 10,552 million and NOK 84.5 billion, respectively.

Strong competition in the global fertilizer market and a drop in potash and bromine prices led to a sharp drop in fourth-quarter net profits at Israel Chemicals Ltd.

In an early release of its fourth quarter and annual results on Feb. 12, ICL reported a 43 percent decline in fourth-quarter net profits, to $119 million from $208 million in last year’s corresponding quarter. Fourth-quarter revenues actually rose by 9 percent, to $1.42 billion from $1.3 billion in 2012, due primarily to increased shipments to India and China and revenue from recent acquisitions.

Full year net profits fell to $819 million from $1.3 billion, and revenues were down to $6.27 billion from $6.47 billion in 2012.

ICL Fertilizers revenues in the fourth quarter totaled $794 million versus $710 million in the corresponding quarter in 2012. Operating income for the fourth quarter totaled $87 million versus $139 million in 2012. This was the result of increased volumes at lower prices. ICL Fertilizers sold 5.04 million mt of potash compared to 4.63 million mt in 2012. The company cited a recovery in demand into 2014.

For the full year, ICL Fertilizers sales totaled $3.66 billion versus $3.81 billion in 2012. Operating income for the year was $821 million, down from $1.16 billion. ICL Fertilizers produced 5.16 million mt of potash during 2013, an increase of 4.4 percent over the previous year’s 4.94 million mt, due to increased production at its British and Spanish mines.

The Andersons Inc. reported fourth quarter 2013 net income of $30.7 million on sales of $1.58 billion, up from the year-ago $15 million and $1.68 billion, respectively. The Plant Nutrient Group contributed to the boost with the company reporting a good fall season and a “reset” in nutrient prices. Plant Nutrient operating income was $6.2 million on sales of $170.7 million up from the year-ago $4.7 million and $177.7 million, respectively.

For the year, the company reported a solid year for Plant Nutrients, though operating income was down due to flat-to-declining markets. 2013 operating income was $27.3 million on sales of $708.6 million versus 2012’s $39.2 million and $797 million.

Company-wide, the company reported 2013 net income of $89.9 million on sales of $5.6 billion up from 2012’s $79.5 million and $5.27 billion, respectively.

The Mosaic Co. reported a 79 percent drop in net income attributable to Mosaic for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2013, compared to the year-ago quarter. The company cited lower phosphate and potash prices. However, Mosaic said market conditions are improving and stressed that it had record phosphate shipments during the quarter and a significant improvement in potash volumes.

Fourth quarter income was $128.9 million ($0.30 per diluted share) on sales of $2.18 billion, down from the year-ago $615.7 million ($1.44 per share) and $2.37 billion, respectively. Full year earnings were $1.06 billion ($2.49 per share) on sales of $9.03 billion, down from $1.85 billion ($4.34 per share) and $10.04 billion, respectively.

Compass Minerals Inc. reported a strong fourth quarter for both its Specialty Fertilizer and Salt segments. Fertilizer operating earnings were $19.7 million on sales of $61.4 million, up from the year-ago $10.7 million and $56.6 million. Volumes were up and prices remained level with year-ago figures.

Fertilizer earnings for the year were up slightly at $58.7 million on sales of $198.6 million from the prior year’s $58.4 million and $226.2 million, respectively. Volumes were off while prices were up.

Company-wide fourth quarter net earnings were $58.4 million ($1.73 per diluted share) on sales of $387.4 million, up from the year–ago $30.1 million ($0.90 per share) on sales of $267.1 million.

Full year earnings were $130.8 million ($3.88 per share) on sales of $1.13 billion up from 2012’s $88.9 million ($2.65 per share) and $941.9 million.

CHS Inc. announced it has acquired the fertilizer business and related fertilizer assets of Terral RiverService, Lake Providence, La. Terral RiverService is a river transportation service company specializing in the bulk storage and handling of dry and liquid materials along the Mississippi River system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and inland waterways of Louisiana and southern Arkansas.

CHS will integrate nine Terral RiverService locations, including eight river terminals, into its existing crop nutrients business. CHS is a leading wholesale distributor of crop nutrients to locally-owned cooperatives and independent farm supply retailers across the U.S.

"This acquisition aligns with CHS growth plans for strategic business and infrastructure expansion into the lower Mississippi River region," said Cheryl Schmura, CHS vice president, crop nutrients. "CHS will serve agricultural supply dealers throughout the region with a full range of dry and liquid N-P-K and specialty fertilizers, backed by global fertilizer supply and logistics expertise."

Thirty-six employees of Terral RiverService will become CHS employees. Former Terral RiverService fertilizer customers are being personally notified of the ownership change.

"CHS was the right fit as we considered companies that could take this part of our business to the next level," said Tom Gattle, Terral RiverService co-founder, president and CEO. "We are so proud of how our employees helped us grow the fertilizer business over the past 22 years. We are confident that CHS will further improve operations and services, creating an overall positive impact on our communities."

Terral RiverService will retain ownership of its port and marine operations, aggregates and cottonseed businesses.

Voting members of Greenway Cooperative, a diversified ag retailer based in Rochester, Minn., have approved a merger with CHS Inc. The proposal passed with a 79 percent approval and will become effective April 1, 2014, pending appropriate due diligence by both organizations and final approval by the CHS board of directors.

“Our vision and purpose lines up well with CHS and our members recognized that,” said Gary Hoffman, board chairman, Greenway Cooperative. “This is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our employees.”

“This is a good match for both companies,” said Rick Jahn, board chairman, CHS Ostrander-Grand Meadow, which is slated to combine operations with Greenway Cooperative to form a new business unit for CHS.

“This is a strategic decision that will bring enhanced services and market opportunities to area producers,” said John McEnroe, executive vice president, CHS. “It’s one more way we demonstrate our commitment to helping our owners grow their businesses.”

CHS said patrons of Greenway should expect a smooth transition, including continuity of staffing at its locations. Tim Clemens will serve as general manager for the new business unit of the CHS Country Operations Division.