Sustainable Wine Growing: The Future?

This episode explores the history, development, and sustainability of the potash industry. We are joined by Dr. Davide Ciceri, who currently leads innovative R&D at AgroPlantae, Inc. and Yara’s Director of Agronomy, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen.

We begin with the origins of potash, which can be traced back to ancient methods of extracting potassium compounds from wood ashes. The conversation then delves into the development of the potash fertilizer industry, highlighting the work of chemist von Liebig and the commercial mining of potash in Germany. The different methods of potash mining, including underground mining and solution mining, are discussed. The conversation also explores the sustainability of potash resources and the potential for alternative sources of potassium. The importance of considering the right source of potassium for specific crops and soil conditions is emphasized. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the historical significance of potash and the ongoing research and development in the industry.

Dr. Ciceri wrote an insightful article, “Historical and Technical Developments of Potassium Resources.”

Here are the links to our other episodes on the history of fertilizers:
- The Alchemy of Air with Author Thomas Hager
- The History and Future of Phosphorus for Plants
- An Unsung Hero: Norman Borlaug

Here is a beautiful photo of the potash evaporation ponds near Moab, Utah

In this episode, the hosts discuss the benefits and challenges of using liquid fertilizers. Dr. Karl Wyant, Director of Agronomy at Nutrien, and Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Director of Agronomy at Yara, explain how liquid fertilizers offer more flexibility in creating customized nutrient formulations tailored to specific crop needs. They emphasize the importance of understanding compatibility and safety when blending and handling liquid fertilizers. We discuss the concept of suspension and solution fertilizers and discuss the differences between them. Highlighed is the significance of pre-planning, jar testing, and using resources like compatibility tables and Yara's Tankmix to avoid mixing issues. They provide insights on storing and maintaining liquid fertilizers and discuss future innovations in the field.

Takeaways

• Liquid fertilizers offer flexibility in creating customized nutrient formulations for specific crops.
• Understanding compatibility and safety is crucial when blending and handling liquid fertilizers.
• Jar testing is an important tool to predict compatibility and avoid mixing issues.
• Proper storage and maintenance of liquid fertilizers are essential to ensure their effectiveness.

Links:

• Karl's recent article in Fertilizer International Magazine, "Liquid Fertilizers - Compatibility and Safety"
• Karl mentioned the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation as a resource
• Yara's Tankmix to avoid mixing issues

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to liquid fertilizers
04:30 Challenges of liquid fertilizer mixing
06:44 Difference between suspension and solution fertilizers
10:23 Importance of knowing suspension and solution fertilizers
12:13 The importance of jar testing
18:36 Storage and maintenance of liquid fertilizers
21:37 Storing liquid fertilizers over the winter
23:40 Maintenance and cleaning of fertilizer tanks
26:38 Future innovations in liquid fertilizers
31:41 Conclusion and holiday wishes

In the dynamic world of crop production, staying ahead means understanding not just the 'how' but the 'why' behind effective agronomics. And that's exactly what we're unpacking in this episode. Foliar nutrition is more than just a trend; it’s a pivotal part of modern agriculture, offering targeted, efficient, and quick nutrient delivery to your crops.

We'll explore the science behind foliar feeding,

• how it complements traditional soil nutrition,
• its role in maximizing crop health and yield. 
• how folier applied nutrition can help plants in drought conditions

To help us understand this we have two experts: Dr. Rob Mikkelsen, Yara North America's Director of Agronomy and Delaine Madziak, Regional Market Development Manager for Western Canada.  They are going to relate real-world case studies, and practical tips that you, as a grower or agronomist, can apply in your fields.

How can furthering the practices of the 4R nutrient management, transform not only agricultural productivity but also contribute significantly to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation? 

Dr. Tom Bruulsema, Chief Scientist at Plant Nutrition Canada, and Yara’s Director Of Agronomy, Dr. Rob Mikkelsen are back with us to talk about the advancement of the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship.  

In addition to Dr. Bruulsema's many jobs, he is also a committee member at the Scientific Panel on Responsible Plant Nutrition or SPRPN.

In a previous episode with Tom, we talked about the ambitious mandate by the Canadian government to cut fertilizer-related greenhouse emissions by 30% by the year 2030. We talked about the critical role of the  R's of nutrient stewardship (rate, source, timing, and placement) in curbing emissions and enhancing nitrogen use efficiency. 

In this episode, we will explore why there's a pressing need to further the 4Rs. We'll discuss how the 4R concept has been integrated into agricultural conversations worldwide and examine its impact over the past decade in North America and globally. 

We'll also address the idea proposed by Paul Fixen in an earlier podcast about adding more "R's" to the existing framework. 

This episode is a part 2 from last week, where Dr. Rob Mikkelsen met up with some notable soil scientists at the American Society of Agronomy conference.

In this episode of our podcast, we delve into the life and career of Dr. John Ryan, a distinguished international soil scientist with an extraordinary background. Born and raised in Ireland, Dr. Ryan's journey in the realm of semi-arid agriculture is as fascinating as it is impactful. 

Dr. Ryan, holding degrees from University College Dublin and the University of Arizona, and a Certified Professional Soil Scientist, takes us through his remarkable journey from the green landscapes of Ireland to the arid environments of Arizona, Lebanon, Morocco, and Syria. He shares the unique challenges and rewards of working in these diverse climates, emphasizing his work with smallholder farms in resource-limited settings. 

Throughout the episode, Dr. Ryan discusses how improving agricultural productivity can transform the lives of families and communities, especially in semi-arid zones. He sheds light on the significant barriers to enhancing farm productivity in these regions, including climate change, erratic rainfall, and political instability.

Dr. Ryan also reflects on his professional contributions, expressing pride in the international service awards he's received from notable societies like ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, and being named a Fellow in all three. His insights on the future of farming under challenging conditions are both enlightening and thought-provoking.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in agriculture, environmental science, and the real-world impact of scientific research. Join us as we explore the journey of a man who went from an Irish kid to a global influencer in the field of soil science and agriculture.

Dr. Rob Mikkelsen recently attended the American Society of Agronomy Conference.
He reunited with many of his colleagues and we have the chance to bring two international influencers onto our podcast over the next couple weeks.

In this week's podcast, we delve into the heart of modern agriculture with Dr. Fernando Garcia, a renowned expert in soil fertility and crop nutrition. Dr. Garcia is a Free Professor at the College of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina, and a consultant for various agricultural organizations, shares his valuable insights into ecologically intensified cropping systems and their impact on global agriculture.  Some of the topics we covered are 

• The Four Pillars of Agriculture: no-till farming, crop rotation, cover crops, and balanced nutrition.
• Dr. Garcia’s perspective on how these pillars contribute to sustainable agriculture.
• Comparative Agriculture: Argentina vs. North America.  
• Dr. Garcia outlines key challenges in modern agriculture and discusses innovative approaches and technologies in addressing these challenges with an emphasis on the importance of adapting to climate change and environmental pressures.
• Exploration of programs and strategies used by Argentinian farmers and how these practices can be examples for farmers globally.
• The role of government and private sector in supporting these initiatives.

Make sure you check out next week's episode with Dr. John Ryan

In this episode of the Yara Crop Nutrition podcast, we delve into the world of crop management and dairy operations with guests Emmaline Long from Yara North America and Dave DeGolyer from the Western New York Crop Management Association. Over 35 minutes, they discuss the critical role of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in dairy farms, including the development and importance of  Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans (CNMP) for dairies, and the unique factors such as manure management that affect these operations. Dave also sheds light on his organization's journey to 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification, detailing the process, importance, and impact on their business.