Author: kmathers

Assumptions About Water Quality

Sometime in my youth, I learned about the wordplay that illustrates the danger of making assumptions. For the uninitiated, lets just say that the end-result turns the “assumer,” into the first three letters of the word. So, I try not to make assumptions – at least, not about important stuff. Things like cars stopping for pedestrians in crosswalks, strange dogs not biting – you get the picture. 

Still, not all assumptions are dangerous – in fact, some, such as those involved in scientific inquiry are downright necessary. From the simplest of science textbook experiments, to the work behind blockbuster medical breakthroughs, all science is based upon educated assumptions reached though observation, exploration, and testing. 

“Leveraging TFI’s new science resources, and  in-house scientific expertise, we examined the methods and assumptions within the EWG report and found that they contained significant discrepancies with published reports, peer-reviewed articles, and TFI’s Nutrient Use Geographic Information System (NuGIS) and Soil Test Summary programs.”

However, when the assumptions being made are about fertilizer and are inconsistent or just plain wrong, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) will cry “foul.” Such is the case with a report that was recently released with great fanfare by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). The headline was hard to miss: “MANURE OVERLOAD: Manure Plus Fertilizer Overwhelms Minnesota’s Land and Water.” In its press release, EWG claimed that in almost all of Minnesota’s farm counties, “the combination of manure plus commercial fertilizer is likely to load too much nitrogen or phosphorus or both onto crop fields, threatening drinking water and fouling the state’s iconic lakes and rivers.” This problem, according to EWG, arises from the extraordinary expansion and intensification of both livestock and crop production in the state. 

Earlier in my career as a communication professional, I might have responded to EWG with a response that pointed to farmers as the original environmentalists. There’s nothing wrong with that argument, but from a scientific perspective, there isn’t any substance. Leveraging TFI’s new science resources, we can and did do better. Using in-house scientific expertise, we examined the methods and assumptions within the EWG report and found that they contained significant discrepancies with published reports, peer-reviewed articles, and TFI’s Nutrient Geographic Information System (NuGIS) and Soil Test Summary programs. These two programs are widely used by industry professionals to determine nutrient application and uptake rates and analyze soil test results across the country.   While the need to identify trends in nutrient balances is valid, that task is complex and must be undertaken with care. Leveraging TFI’s new science resources, and  in-house scientific expertise, we examined the methods and assumptions within the EWG report and found that they contained significant discrepancies with published reports, peer-reviewed articles, and TFI’s Nutrient Use Geographic Information System (NuGIS) and Soil Test Summary programs. These two programs are widely used by industry professionals to assess nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium balances (relationships of system inputs and outputs) for cropland and analyze soil test results across the country.

For example:

•    The EWG study doesn’t compare apples to apples. EWG’s crop nutrient removal and requirements were calculated based upon inconsistent timeframes. Fertilizer calculations were made for 2016 only, and manure for 2019. To properly compute nutrient balances, all inputs and outputs should be for the same time frame.

•    For 2014, EWG estimates total manure nitrogen applied and excreted in the state as much higher than NuGIS estimates. Excreted manure is 1.9 times as high, and applied is 3.6 times higher.

•    Nitrogen recoverability and loss assumptions differ greatly from those used in NuGIS and other reliable sources.

•    EWG assumes that crop requirements for phosphorus need not account for soil test levels. According to the Soil Test Summary, 47 percent of Minnesota soils were below critical levels in 2015.

•    We found a 50-fold error for the edible bean phosphorous removal coefficient. If calculated as presented, this amounts to an error of 68,000 tons of phosphorus.  

•    Manure application is not recognized. Within the five agricultural regions of the state, EWG assumes that fertilizer nitrogen is applied at the same rates to both manured and non-manured land.

•    Non-alfalfa hay and haylage typically receive an application of manure but are not considered in the EWG report. In 2019, 400,000 acres of non-alfalfa hay and haylage were harvested in Minnesota (USDA, NASS, 2020).

Having access to this information is just the start. We are engaging stakeholders – including EWG – to let them know about our concerns and make them aware of NUGIS as a resource. While different perspectives are critical, we aim to avoid future siloed efforts by engaging all stakeholders in the process.  For additional information on our work or on NuGIS, contact Foundation for Agronomic Research Director John Jones. 
 
 

TFI Joins CLA and ARA to Announce Office Co-Location to Begin in 2021

WASHINGTON – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) joined CropLife America (CLA) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) in announcing today that the three organizations will co-locate to Arlington, VA, beginning in January 2021. Each organization will retain its focus on the needs of its respective members, but the move is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration that can enhance each organization’s efficiency and effectiveness. The organizations’ respective Boards of Directors approved this concept in separate votes last fall.

“Just as our respective industries continue to integrate and consolidate, so too are we pursuing innovative and efficient ways to operate,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “This new arrangement will facilitate enhanced communication and collaboration on common issues.”

“CLA is excited to join two of our agriculture allies to better serve our respective members and the agricultural industry through closer collaboration. Although we will maintain distinctly separate organizations, we look forward to sharing common services, which will result in measurable savings that can be used to bolster our programs that benefit our members. We look forward to working even more closely together with ARA & TFI,” said Chris Novak, CLA president and CEO. 

“ARA’s members have identified the need to continually be more efficient with organizational resources,” said ARA President and CEO Daren Coppock. “By sharing an office space with CLA and TFI, we are able to be good stewards of our assets while applying cost savings to better serve our members through the work we do on their behalf.”

All three organizations will remain independent with no changes to their individual governance models.  TFI and CLA intend to relocate by January 2021, ARA intends to move March 2021. 

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Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America’s member companies produce, sell and distribute virtually all of the necessary and vital crop protection and biotechnology products used by American farmers. CLA can be found on Twitter at @CropLifeAmerica.

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) represents, promotes and advances the plant nutrition industry through policy advocacy, stewardship and sustainability initiatives and market intelligence programs. TFI membership is comprised of fertilizer producers, retailers, wholesalers and trading firms. Additional information on TFI is available at our website: www.tfi.org.

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

 

COVID-19 News: Fertilizer Industry Steps Forward

No matter where you live, there’s a good chance someone in your community is hungry. According to USDA, in 2019, more than 37 million people in the United States struggled with hunger.  Now, with the Coronavirus outbreak, the number of people struggling to find adequate food is growing exponentially. In recent weeks, many food banks are reporting as much as a 50 percent uptick in demand. Many fertilizer industry leaders in TFI’s membership are stepping up to the plate to help.

Mosaic: Better than a Hat Trick

The Mosaic Company recently announced that it is partnering with the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL hockey team, to donate $200,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay, which distributes food to pantries and similar services for 600,000 people in the region. It’s the latest example on a growing list of ways the company continues to support local communities during these challenging times. Prior to the NHL’s pause on the regular season, Mosaic had planned to donate $70,000. For every goal scored by a Lightning player at home, Mosaic pledged $500 and $5,000 for every Bolts hat trick on home ice. But, as the company says, “unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures,” and Mosaic’s leadership decided to more than double the donation amount to $200,000.

“Mosaic’s mission is to help the world grow the food it needs,” said President and CEO Joc O’Rourke. “At this time of critical need, we are pleased to support the many vital community food organizations associated with the Goals for Food program. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Lightning in the years ahead.”

CHS, Inc.: Matching Employee Generosity

CHS, Inc., another industry leader, has committed $125,000 to the Greater Twin Cities United Way, local social service agencies and Feeding America to assist with COVID-19 response efforts. Donations will provide immediate support to those most vulnerable to the economic and health-related issues caused by COVID-19. CHS has committed a dollar-for-dollar match to employee and community contributions to the Greater Twin Cities United Way COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, up to $75,000. One hundred percent of the donations will go directly into the community to address critical community needs including food, shelter, childcare, sanitation and hygiene supplies for approximately 75,000 people across the region. CHS has also donated a total of $25,000 to support Neighbors, Inc. and The Open Door to ensure food is available for those in need living near our corporate office, and has pledged $25,000 to Feeding America. The Feeding America network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs, including thousands of rural communities where CHS plays a vital role.

Stay tuned for more news on our members’ commitment to employees and neighbors. We could all use a little more good news at this time, so please share yours with us so that we can include you in upcoming blog posts about ways the industry is extending kindness to those in need.

 

TFI Urges White House to Designate Fertilizer as Essential

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter sent to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch requested that the federal government recognize fertilizer and all agriculture inputs as “essential services” in order to ensure that American agriculture can remain operable and unfettered. 

“The next six to eight weeks will be crucial to our members and their farmer customers, as they conduct spring planting activities. The timely delivery of plant nutrients to American farmers is critical to their ability to produce food, fuel, and fiber,” Rosenbusch said. “In order to get plant nutrients to the farm, the fertilizer industry relies on a safe and efficient transportation network, including rail carriers, ports, barges, pipelines, and trucks. In addition, the ability to move products across the border of Canada is also an important part of the fertilizer supply chain.”

TFI is not currently aware of any prohibitions contemplated on interstate shipments of goods to contain the spread of COVID-19 at this time, but stressed that such constraints could cripple the ability of its members to provide farmers with the fertilizers they need in a very limited planting window.

“Fertilizer is responsible for 50 percent of crop yields. It is essential to our nation’s agricultural production and food supply,” Rosenbusch continued. “Our members are taking steps to remain fully operational throughout the duration of this event while taking necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of our employees and the communities in which they operate.”

The full letter can be read by clicking here.

TFI Statement on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s August 8, 2019, Status Report

Agriculture is at the frontline of adaptation to climate change. In the last twelve months, the record-breaking flood events and challenging precipitation frequencies in the Midwest challenged farmers and the fertilizer industry to adapt to a dramatically shortened fall field work and spring planting season.  

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released today cautions that land must remain productive to feed a rising world population and highlights the importance of fertilizer application rate and timing to maintain production potential and reduce environmental quality impairment. We believe that the efficiency of fertilizer use is central to the goal of successful adaptation to changes in environmental conditions. 

The fertilizer industry is committed to the sustainable use of its products using the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework (use of the right fertilizer source, at the right rate, the right time, and in the right place). This science-based, site-specific approach is contributing to incredible progress in minimizing the impact of fertilizer use has on our nation’s air and water resources. Since 1980, U.S. farmers have more than doubled corn production using just 6.9 percent more fertilizer. Considering that emissions from agricultural operations have been relatively flat since 1990, this is tremendous progress.

Still, there is much more work to be done. Science-based decision making should be the foundation for the adoption of climate smart technologies and practices for sustainable agriculture and global food production. The 4R Research Fund, which is supported by the fertilizer industry and other key stakeholders supports integral research and provides information to help farmers maintain the cycle of continuous improvement.

Beyond farm fields, minimizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is also a priority for companies that produce fertilizer. The industry captures CO2 emitted during ammonia production and re-uses it during the production of urea, another nitrogen fertilizer. Excess CO2 captured from fertilizer production is also recycled for other industrial use, such as enhanced oil recovery and the carbonization of soft drinks.

In 2017, the industry captured and re-used 7.5 million metric tons – which is 24 percent of all GHGs emitted by the industry throughout the year.  This is a dramatic increase compared to 2013, when the industry captured and re-used 9 percent of its GHGs. 

 

 

 

Foundation for Agronomic Research Names John D. Jones Director

Washington, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute today announced the selection of John D. Jones as the Director of the Foundation for Agronomic Research.  Jones will provide oversight of the 4R Research Fund, coordinate a 4R Researcher network, and support other strategies to advance 4R nutrient stewardship. The 4R Research Fund is a science-based research initiative aimed at improving agricultural sustainability by expanding knowledge of the 4Rs. The Fund is supported by the fertilizer industry and other stakeholders.

“John Jones brings a unique breadth of experience to the Foundation for Agronomic Research,” said TFI Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody. “Having served as the primary agronomic advisor for a yield contest winning soybean farmer in Kansas to conducting instrumental research for understanding soil and phosphorus loss in Iowa and advocating for science policy that supports agricultural research on the local, state, and national level, John is uniquely-qualified to lead FAR.”

Jones holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy & Environmental Science from Kansas State University, and a Masters’ Degree in Soil Science-Soil Fertility from Iowa State University (ISU).  At present, he is finishing his PhD in Soil Fertility and Sustainable Agriculture at ISU. He is a winner of the 2019 American Society of Agronomy Future Leaders in Science Award from the Tri-societies and a recipient of the 2018 Robert A. Sloan Award in Sustainable Agriculture from ISU. He has extensive agricultural retail experience organizing and leading on-farm research grower networks and implementing progressive agronomic practices that highlight profitability and input efficiency.

“John’s research, teaching, and industry experiences reflect the very scientific framework in which 4R nutrient stewardship is grounded,” said Moody. “He is adept in leveraging multiple sources of funding, coordinating multiple researchers and staff members, and strategically planning future research program directions and will be an asset to our nutrient stewardship efforts.”

TFI’s advocacy efforts during the last session of Congress resulted in identification of the 4Rs as a priority research area within the 2018 Farm Bill. This landmark legislation influences the United States Department of Agriculture’s research expenditures including National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant funds and the Agricultural Research Service research efforts.

The 4R Fund  most recently awarded nearly $2.7 million to five research efforts in California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas and the South (Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas) to projects focused on almonds, vegetables, tart cherry, potatoes, wheat, corn and corn silage, alfalfa, cotton, rice, and soybean. Those funds were leveraged with $3.2 million from multiple stakeholders to total $5.9 million in research.

Leadership Transition is Underway at The Fertilizer Institute

Washington, D.C. –  The Fertilizer Institute’s (TFI) President and CEO Chris Jahn notified members of TFI’s Executive Committee that he has been selected to serve as the President and CEO of the American Chemistry Council (ACC). To ensure a smooth transition, Jahn will continue to lead TFI until late October.

TFI’s Executive Committee will establish a Search Committee that will operate under the leadership of TFI Board Chairman Tony Will.  

“On behalf of TFI’s Board of Directors, I extend my thanks to Chris for his work on our industry’s behalf,” said Will. “TFI staff is dedicated to serving our industry and we anticipate continued excellence during the transition and beyond on our agenda to help feed the world in a safe and sustainable manner.”