Category: Agronomy

A Lifetime of Passion and Innovation in Fertilizer: An Interview with Rob Mikkelsen

Rob Mikkelsen, the Director of Agronomic Services for Yara in North America, has dedicated his career to the fertilizer industry, working passionately to advance plant nutrition and soil health. “I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in the fertilizer industry and plant nutrition for many decades over my entire career,” Mikkelsen says. His enthusiasm for his work is clear as he reflects on the ways the industry has provided “real value to the human family with an abundance of healthy food.”

Over the years, Mikkelsen has witnessed significant developments in the fertilizer industry, particularly in sustainable practices. He notes, “We’ve taken a fresh look at protecting our natural resources of soil and air. And it’s really exciting to be part of that industry that’s really trying to be good stewards of the Earth.”

One of the most influential concepts Mikkelsen has helped promote is the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework: applying the right source, at the right time, in the right place, and at the right rate. “When you get all of those things right, that’s when the magic happens,” he explains. The 4Rs bridge the gap between nutrient management, environmental science, and the economic viability of farming. This approach has been globally impactful, allowing farmers to produce healthy, abundant crops while preserving natural resources.

Right Source

Right Rate

Right Time

Right Place

Mikkelsen played a key role in developing and distributing the 4R framework globally as the Vice President of Communications for the International Plant Nutrition Institute. “We formalized all of this science into something that could be easily explained to the public and to other agronomists, which was the 4Rs,” he recalls. Collaborating with organizations like The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the International Fertilizer Association, he helped make the 4R principles accessible to farmers worldwide, promoting sustainable practices that boost productivity while preserving the environment. The framework has been translated into multiple languages and continues to expand its reach, including active programs in Africa. “There’s an active program in Africa right now disseminating the 4R message,” Mikkelsen notes, emphasizing the initiative’s lasting global impact.

Reflecting on his career journey, Mikkelsen encourages students and young professionals to consider the many opportunities available in agriculture, particularly in plant nutrition and fertilizer. “As my career has developed, I’ve realized that there are so many really smart and successful and motivated professionals that work in the fertilizer industry,” he says. Mikkelsen believes that the industry offers exciting and fulfilling careers that should be “highly sought after” for their engaging nature and positive impact.

Mikkelsen is particularly enthusiastic about his current role with Yara, where he continues to drive sustainable agricultural practices. “Joining Yara has been an incredible opportunity for me to work with a global leader in plant nutrition, and I’m excited to be part of a company that’s truly committed to both feeding the world and protecting the planet,” he shares. His passion for sustainable solutions aligns perfectly with Yara’s mission to develop innovative approaches that benefit both farmers and the environment.

Looking forward, Mikkelsen sees a bright future for the fertilizer industry, driven by new technological advancements such as artificial intelligence. “We have so many new tools in the laboratory. We have the insights of artificial intelligence, which is allowing us to look at huge data sets and to draw conclusions from data that we were not able to do before.”

Mikkelsen also emphasizes the life-changing impact that fertilizer can have, especially in regions where small-scale farmers struggle to survive. “I’ve seen how a bucket full of fertilizer and some enhanced genetics in the seed can completely transform the trajectory of a family,” he explains. Fertilizer not only improves crop yields but also empowers families to send their children to school, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities.

It’s easy to overlook how this miracle product really changes lives. When there is a humble family struggling for survival in Africa and then to see how fertilizer changes their farm to growing a surplus of food, and then they have extra money for their family’s future. That is just so satisfying thing to see and to know that perhaps I had a small part in making this happen.

Rob Mikkelsen

As Mikkelsen reflects on his career, it’s clear that his passion for plant nutrition and sustainable agriculture continues to drive him. “I’ve really enjoyed my career. I have worked with wonderful people and it’s something I look forward to every day,” he says. His legacy in the fertilizer industry will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of agronomists and environmental stewards.

Listen to Rob’s Walkout Song Here:

TFI Announces 2024 4R Advocate Winners

Arlington, VA –The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced today the selection of two agricultural retailers and their partnering farmers as the 2024 4R Advocates. These four individuals are being recognized for their exceptional commitment to implementing fertilizer management practices based on the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, which have demonstrated significant economic and environmental benefits.

“Our 2024 4R Advocates are at the forefront of environmental stewardship,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch, speaking at TFI’s Agronomy Conference and Expo in St. Louis, MO. “Their commitment to the 4Rs—right source, rate, time, and place— is crucial for optimizing crop yield and sustainability, ensuring our ability to continue feeding the crops that feed the world. We are proud to honor these grower and retailer pairs for their significant contributions to farming practices and look forward to their continued impact on shaping agriculture.'”

Now in its 13th year, the 4R Advocate program highlights the in-field successes of these best management practices, which focus on the right source, rate, time, and fertilizer placement. This framework aims to enhance production and profitability, boost environmental protection, and improve sustainability.

The advocates selected for this year, who collectively manage diverse cropping systems across multiple states, will participate in various TFI outreach efforts. These include hosting farm field days, participating in conference panels, and promoting 4R stewardship practices within their communities.

2024 4R Advocates:

Retailer: Allen Spray, Chestertown, MD – Williard Agri Service

Farmer: Bryant Lowe, Laurel, DE – Lakeside Farms

Retailer: Daniel Mullenix, Auburn, AL – GreenPoint Ag

Farmer: Mason Roberts, Sylvester, GA – MTR Farms

The 4R Advocate program is a key element of TFI’s campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. This initiative underlines the critical role of efficient nutrient utilization in sustainable crop production systems. To learn more about 4R practices, please visit www.tfi.org.

Additionally, as of this summer the industry is on track with its 4R Acre commitment to manage 70 million acres under 4R practices by 2030. A 4R acre is defined as an acre of U.S. cropland under management using 4R practices, such as crediting organic sources and removal rates, variable rate technology, split applications, the use of cover crops, accounting for weather during application, etc.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

First Biostimulant Certified Under TFI Program

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced today that its newly launched Certified Biostimulant program has awarded the first certification for a biostimulant product.

“We are pleased to announce that AgroLiquid’s C-Tech biostimulant product has gone through the necessary steps to be recognized as a Certified Biostimulant by TFI,” said TFI president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Upon thorough review of their data, research, and methodology, we have confirmed their adherence to industry-established standards, ensuring that among other criteria, proper experimental protocols were followed during efficacy testing.”

TFI’s Certified Biostimulant initiative aligns with the United States Biostimulant Industry Guidelines, which set forth criteria for comprehensive documentation supporting efficacy testing methods, composition, and safety measures. Upon certification, a product is granted a distinctive label, signifying to agricultural retailers and consumers that it has undergone the necessary steps to meet the outlined standards in the guidelines.

“Biostimulants are a relatively new innovation in agriculture that have tremendous potential to enhance the existing environmental stewardship of growers and compliment 4R fertilizer practices,” Rosenbusch explained. “But in countless conversations with ag retailers, what kept coming up was the lack of a standard when assessing the new products and deciding which products to stock and recommend to their grower customers. The Certified Biostimulant program was created to provide that standard because we want to get them into the hands of more growers, and we want both the ag retailers and growers to have confidence when choosing which product they use.”

Plant biostimulants can potentially play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture by promoting nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and overall plant vigor. Biostimulants have also been proven to provide such environmental benefits such as enhanced carbon sequestration and reduced nutrient leaching to ground and surface water.

“When we talk nutrient management, we are talking about minimizing losses to the environment, water quality, air quality, soil health, and all the other things important to the conservation and environmental communities. Biostimulants support environmental stewardship by improving the efficiencies of fertilizer application and soil health while also increasing crop yields,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We are proud to bring consumer confidence to the marketplace through our certification program and look forward to certifying more biostimulant products in the future that help to ensure our dinner tables are full and the environment is being protected.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.