News Type: Press Releases

The Fertilizer Institute Applauds USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda, Seeks to Gain Government Commitment to Fund 4R-Related Research

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2020 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) announced its support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Agriculture Innovation Agenda,” which the agency bills as a “solution for farmers, consumers, and the environment.” TFI will continue working with USDA to find practical solutions to increasing the adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices among farmers. 4R principles incorporate the right source, right rate, right time, and right placement of fertilizer and are a proven framework that helps American farmers increase production and profitability while enhancing environmental protection and improving sustainability.

“I applaud Secretary Perdue and the team at USDA for their commitment to sustainable agriculture, and TFI fully supports this new initiative,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “The Fertilizer Institute has long promoted similar goals, including 4R Nutrient Stewardship, and I look forward to future cooperation with the department as we work toward advancing these shared objectives to benefit American agriculture.”

TFI and its members are committed to being part of the solution when it comes to innovation and sustainability in agriculture. TFI members are well-positioned to work with farmers in areas such as technical assistance and writing and implementing nutrient management plans based on the 4Rs. 

Through the 4R Research Fund, TFI is also committed to measuring the outcomes of 4R practices. The 4R Research Fund has led to $17.2 million in research efforts through private and public collaborations. The Agriculture Innovation Agenda presents an excellent opportunity to leverage private sector funds with public sector research dollars to quantify the environmental benefits of implementing suites of 4R practices on the farm. In fact, the 2018 Farm Bill designated 4R-based research as a high-priority research area.  

In addition, USDA’s Agriculture Innovation Agenda is based on a report by the National Academies, “Science Breakthroughs to Advance Food and Agricultural Research – 2030,” which identifies research needs compatible with the 4Rs.

Finally, improvements in data collection by USDA would enable a better understanding of how cropping system management decisions interact with environmental properties or conservation practices. The inclusion of data that focuses on management, however, could be improved to account for nutrient management strategies such as fertilizer source, rate, time, and place.

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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.

The Fertilizer Institute’s 5th State of the Fertilizer Industry Report Highlights Improvement in Environmental Impact, Safety, and On-Farm Fertilizer Use

WASHINGTON, Feb. 18, 2020 – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today released its fifth State of the Fertilizer Industry Report. The report tracks social, environmental, and economic metrics across the entire value chain to identify industry progress and mark areas for improvement. Since 2013, the industry has made significant improvements in water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and research on and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices.

“The business community is making sustainability a priority, and the fertilizer industry is no different,” said Corey Rosenbusch, TFI President and CEO. “As TFI marks five years of collecting sustainability data, I am excited to be able to look back at the accomplishments we’ve made while also charting a path to where we want to be in the next five years and beyond.”

This year’s report includes data representing 34 companies in the manufacturing, retail, and wholesaler and distributor space. The data represents 91 percent of manufacturing capacity and 32 percent of the retail industry in the United States. Report highlights include:

  • The industry is more than twice as safe as industry peers when compared to benchmark data from the Department of Labor.
  • The fertilizer industry delivers more than $130 billion in economic impact in the United States.
  • Total energy use per nutrient ton of fertilizer produced decreased 3 percent from the prior year.
  • In 2018, the industry captured more than 4.5 times the greenhouse gas emissions that were captured in 2013. These captured emissions were then used for other industrial purposes.
  • Nitrogen producers are using half the amount of water per nutrient ton produced than they did in 2013.

The report showcases data on all segments of the fertilizer industry from fertilizer use on the farm, the impact on people and communities, energy and environment, and transportation. For the first time this year, TFI is able to report that nearly 6 million tons of recycled materials were used in the production fertilizer.

The fertilizer industry employs more than 103,000 people in the United States. To capture their work and impact, the State of the Industry Report features interviews with employees across the value chain, including those who partner with the industry on research and stewardship initiatives.

To learn more about this year’s State of the Fertilizer Industry report, visit fertilizerreport.org.

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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.

TFI Applauds President Trump’s Signing of USMCA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody released the following statement regarding President Trump signing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).  
 
“We commend President Trump for doing exactly what he said he would do; provide a win for agriculture and the millions of hard working men and women who grow the food, fuel and fiber that feeds our growing world by securing an improved trade deal with our two largest agricultural trading partners. In addition to President Trump, TFI thanks U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell for their bipartisan efforts to put American workers and industry in a position to be able to compete on the global stage by ensuring that markets remain open and fair. President Trump signing the USMCA will strengthen U.S. agriculture and the countless communities whose economic well-being is tied directly to the soil.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)
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. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org. 

TFI Applauds Trump Administration’s Finalization of WOTUS Rule

farm house
farm house

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration’s finalization of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of the Army repeal and replacement of the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

“The fertilizer industry strongly supports the EPA’s and the Department of the Army’s new WOTUS rule, which provides a sustainable national water policy that both protects the environment and facilitates smart economic development. The new rule more clearly defines which waters are subject to federal jurisdiction and which waters are subject to state protection, clarity that was severely lacking in the 2015 rule.

“We have long shared EPA’s goal of improving water quality and continuously advocate for the adoption of nutrient management practices such as 4R Nutrient Stewardship (using the right fertilizer source, applied at the right rate, at the right time and in the right place) that enhance environmental protection while helping to ensure farmer profitability.

“We applaud the Trump administration, the EPA and the Department of the Army for their efforts to ensure a future with both clean water and clear rules.”

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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.

TFI Statement on Senate Approval of USMCA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) Vice President of Stewardship and Sustainability Lara Moody today welcomed the U.S. Senate’s approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The historic trade agreement, once signed by President Trump, will strengthen U.S. agricultural exports and provide needed certainty to agricultural markets.

“We commend Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and members of the U.S. Senate for coming together in a bipartisan fashion to overwhelmingly approve the USMCA and we look forward to President Trump signing the deal as quickly as possible. This new agreement will provide the millions of hard-working men and women in U.S. agriculture with a huge economic win and allow them to compete on the global stage by ensuring that markets with our strongest trading partners remain open and fair,” said Moody. “Mexico and Canada are two of the United States’ biggest trading partners and together import over 60% of U.S. agricultural goods.” 

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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.

2020 4R Advocates Showcase the Economic and Environmental Benefits of 4R Farming

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2019 – The Fertilizer Institute today revealed the 2020 4R Advocates, five farmer and retailer pairs who have teamed up to turn the 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles into practice, yielding economic and environmental benefits on their farms.

“For nine years we’ve been honoring the true champions of 4R Nutrient Stewardship – the farmers and retailers who take risks to implement innovative fertilizer management and conservation practices,” said Lara Moody, TFI Vice President for Stewardship and Sustainability. “I’m thrilled that this year we’ve added 10 more excellent advocates who have so clearly demonstrated the real-world success of the 4Rs on their farms.”

The 4R Advocate Program has recognized 90 growers and retailers, farming 215,006 acres in 22 states. The 2020 Advocates represent two new geographies – Pennsylvania and Texas – and two new crops – cotton and sugarcane. For nearly a decade, these leaders have farmed as examples by championing sound nutrient stewardship. 

The 2020 Advocates are: 

  • John Hundley and Eric Hopkins, Hundley Farms, Belle Glade, Fla.
    Tim Stein, Wedgworth’s Inc., Belle Glade, Fla.
     
  • Brian Ryberg, Ryberg Farms, Buffalo Lake, Minn.
    Mike Welter, Central Region Cooperative, Buffalo Lake, Minn.
     
  • Jeff O’Bannon, Morgan-O’Bannon Family Farm, Madison, Mo.
    Todd Ragsdale, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Paris, Mo.
     
  • Mike Kurek, Susquehanna Orchards, Delta, Pa.
    Tim Hushon, The Mill, Red Lion, Pa.
     
  • Jeremy Brown, Broadview Agriculture, Inc., Lubbock, Texas
    Taylor Allison, Eco-Drip Irrigation, Abernathy, Texas

The Advocates will be honored at an awards banquet hosted by TFI at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas, where they will also represent the 4R program during the Commodity Classic tradeshow. Throughout the year they will also be part of TFI’s outreach efforts to promote fertilizer management practices by hosting farm field days, participating in conference panels, and speaking on behalf of 4Rs to their farming peers.

The 4R Advocate program is one of many facets of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Fertilizer is a key component of sustainable crop production systems, and the fertilizer industry recognizes the need to efficiently utilize these nutrients. 4R Advocates and other farmers have partnered with The Fertilizer Institute to demonstrate how 4R practices have led to cost-efficiencies and improved environmental outcomes on their fields. More information and data on their efforts is available at 4RFarming.org.

4R Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve in-field goals, such as increased production and profitability, enhanced environmental protection, and improved sustainability. The 4R concept incorporates practices that use the right fertilizer source at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place.

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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. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org.  

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.”

TFI Optimistic STB Report Will Spur Reform

railyard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President & CEO Chris Jahn today praised the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) recently released report from the Rail Reform Task Force on recommending improvements to the process for reviewing excessive rail rates.

“This report is good news for rail shippers,” said Jahn. “With rate review cases costing an average of $5 to $10 million and taking 3 to 5 years to litigate, the current process clearly does not work. Since 2005, rail rates for anhydrous ammonia, an essential fertilizer used by farmers, have spiked over 200%. Modernizing oversight of rail rates is much needed and long overdue.”

“TFI and our members look forward to working closely with the STB to adopt reforms that better reflect the modern-day rail marketplace,” continued Jahn. “The fertilizer industry thanks Chairman Ann Begeman and the Board for their interest in making the rate review process work for shippers and for railroads. That’s how we are going to keep the U.S. economy on track.”

Facts about moving fertilizer via rail:

  • Half of all fertilizer moves by rail
  • Moving fertilizer by rail instead of truck reduces GHG emissions by 75%
  • One rail car carries the equivalent of four truck loads

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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.