Male farmer working in an agricultural field using a fertilizer. Photo: GoodLifeStudio-Getty_Images

Fertilizer label changes called costly, unnecessary

Canada’s bulk fertilizer makers now have until July 2026 to update their labels, but industry says the rules will be expensive to implement and won’t actually provide safety gains

Canada’s bulk fertilizer makers now have until July 2026 to update their labels, but industry says rules will be expensive, slow shipments to farmers and won’t actually make the system safer.

Potassium and drought: A twofold water uptake problem

Potassium and drought: A twofold water uptake problem

Poor moisture can cause vicious cycle of poor potassium uptake, which can lead to less efficient water use

Drought has put potassium back on the radar for many farmers and agronomists across the region. Near the beginning of July, corn growth and development reached the stage where potassium deficiencies become quite apparent, and widespread dry soil conditions worsened the problem. In some instances, corn is displaying potassium deficiency symptoms on soils with medium



Brazil To Slash Fertilizer Imports

Brazil will slash imports of nitrogen and phosphate in the next five years as local deposits are mined, but the farming giant will still depend on foreign miners for potassium, industry officials said on July 12. A forecast produced by the National Association of Fertilizer Distributors (ANDA), estimated Brazil’s consumption of these inputs would reach


Fertilizer Demand Expected To Grow

It will take both higher fertilizer and crop prices if the world is to meet the growing demand for food and fuel, says a British expert on international prices and markets for nitrogen, potash and phosphorus. Barrie Bain, director of Fertecon, said the fertilizer industry needs prosperous farmers if it’s going to be profitable. “The

Beware Of Dirt Toxicity In Cattle

It is nearly impossible to eliminate, or remove, all dirt from the diet. Cows are not birds. They do not have gizzards and they do not need to eat dirt (gravel, sand, or soil) to physically digest the feed offered them. Yet, cattle eat dirt. Why? What happens when they do, and how much is


Salty Foods Aren’t A Necessity

Most people are well aware of the link between sodium and high blood pressure. The preference for salty foods is an acquired taste. Unlike our inborn preference for sweetness, we aren’t born with a “salty tooth.” We all need some sodium in our diet, but not as much as most people consume. The daily value

Don’t Overlook That Special “K”

“You have two options: you can buy potash, or you can buy alfalfa seed every three years.” – JOHN HEARD Many farmers think hauling in potash at $900 per tonne onto their fields is something like bringing very expensive coals to Newcastle. There’s some truth to that, because thanks to the feldspar and mica content