phosphate Archives

Understanding phosphorus, part 3: Developing fertilizer recommendations

Agronomy Management: It’s important to have adequate P close to the seed during the first six weeks of growth

By Ross H. McKenzie March 19, 2025

Part 3 of 3. Prairie farmers spend over $1 billion annually on phosphate fertilizer; these three articles will hopefully assist with a better understanding of how soil P functions in soil, soil testing for P and then how to develop wise phosphate fertilizer recommendations.

Fertilizer in storage at a phosphate plant in North Carolina.

Columns, Crops

Understanding soil phosphorus, part 1

Agronomy Management: Rotations and fertilizer management have dramatic effects on pools of organic and inorganic P

By Ross H. McKenzie February 28, 2025

Farmers and agronomists are very aware that phosphorus (P) is an essential element needed for optimum crop production in Western Canada. Most soils used for annual crops in Western Canada are very low, low or medium in plant-available soil P and are responsive to added P fertilizer. As a result, phosphate fertilizer use is second […] Read more

News

Construction firm to reopen Kapuskasing, Ont. phosphate mine

By Geralyn Wichers December 20, 2024

British Columbia-based Infracon Construction, Inc., announced today it has purchased the shuttered Agrium phosphate mine in Kapuskasing, Ontario.

A dragline operator moves around phosphate rocks while mining at Mosaic’s South Fort Meade Mine in Fort Meade, Florida January 13, 2010./File Photo

News, Reuters

Mosaic expects Florida fertilizer facilities to return to full production soon

By Reuters October 15, 2024

Fertilizer maker Mosaic Co said on Monday that its Florida facilities are expected to return to full production capacity over the coming days after being idled due to Hurricane Milton.

Markets, News

Hurricane unlikely to fuel long-term fertilizer price increase, analyst says

By Geralyn Wichers October 9, 2024

While the price of urea fertilizer has spiked at the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Milton bears down on Florida, that increase is unlikely to affect Canadian farmers much, said MarketsFarm analyst Bruce Burnett.

Joseph McKee preps seeding equipment at Stirling, southeast of Lethbridge.

Crops, Features

Feeding dry fields

Prairie farmers find more than one way to optimize fertilizer efficiency, whether in dry growing seasons or in any growing season

By Lee Hart May 29, 2024

Farmers and crop consultants in Western Canada have slightly different approaches to manage weather-related fertilizer application risks. With variable moisture, do you apply the full amount at seeding and hope for rain — or find another way? Most producers contacted by Grainews opt for some version of split fertilizer application when facing dry growing conditions […] Read more

File photo of Canpotex potash cars. (Dave Bedard photo)

Crops, Markets

More affordability, usage of fertilizers in 2024, analyst says

Israel's fertilizer output normal for now

By GFM Network News November 1, 2023

MarketsFarm — While global fertilizer prices were projected to be steady to higher in 2024, overall affordability is set to improve while usage will increase, according to one analyst. Samuel Taylor, a New York City-based farm inputs analyst for RaboResearch Food and AgriBusiness, delivered a presentation on the fertilizer market during the firm’s Fall Harvest […] Read more

Crops, Markets, Reuters

Mosaic misses profit estimates on lower prices of fertilizers

Farmers seen waiting on prices to stabilize

By Reuters, GFM Network News May 4, 2023

Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday missed Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit on lower prices of potash and other crop fertilizers, even as the fertilizer maker sold higher volumes. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased during the reported quarter, it did not boost demand as farmers waited for pricing trends […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Mosaic misses profit estimate amid lower demand for fertilizers

By Reuters, GFM Network News February 22, 2023

Reuters — Mosaic Co. on Wednesday became the latest fertilizer maker to miss fourth-quarter profit estimates amid lower demand for potash and other crop fertilizers, pushing shares down 2.2 per cent in extended trading. Although prices of fertilizers such as phosphates and potash decreased toward the end of last year, it did not boost demand […] Read more

Crops, Reuters

Nutrien bolsters profit forecast on surging fertilizer prices

Fertilizer sector set for biggest profits in years

By GFM Network News May 3, 2022

Reuters — Nutrien Ltd. on Monday raised its full-year earnings forecast well above estimates after posting a more than 10-fold jump in first-quarter profit, as the world’s largest fertilizer company benefits strongly from soaring prices of crop nutrients. Prices of essential crop nutrients such as potash and phosphate skyrocketed in the quarter, touching near-record levels, […] Read more

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

U.S. livestock: Cattle strength continues

GFM Network News