Posted October 15th, 2024

Leading the Charge

The history of fertilizer is a fascinating journey of innovation and agricultural transformation. From ancient methods to modern advancements, fertilizers have been crucial in improving crop yields and ensuring food security. At Nutrien Ag Solutions®, we are focused on innovations that meet the evolving needs of growers worldwide.

A Brief History of Fertilizer

The use of fertilizers dates back thousands of years, with early civilizations recognizing the value of manures, ashes and lime in enhancing soil health and crop productivity. In the mid-19th century, researchers made a significant leap by emphasizing the importance of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 

The 20th century brought about a revolutionary change that enabled the large-scale synthesis of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen through a reaction with hydrogen. This breakthrough dramatically increased the production of nitrogen fertilizers, boosting agricultural productivity and supporting global food demands.

Nutrien Ag Solutions: A Legacy of Innovation

Born out of the 2018 merger of Agrium Inc. and PotashCorp, Nutrien Ag Solutions quickly became the world’s premier provider of full-acre grower solutions. The merger was transformational, consolidating complementary assets that allowed the new organization to serve customers more efficiently, realize operating synergies, improve cash flows and, most importantly, deliver immediate value to growers. 

"The merger created benefits and growth opportunities that neither company could achieve alone," says Spencer Harris, Senior Vice President of Global Retail Operations. 

Since then, Nutrien Ag Solutions has continued to build on the rich legacies of its predecessors. Our history includes the establishment of agricultural retail divisions, strategic acquisitions and the creation of a robust network that reaches customers in every major growing region globally.

Managing Nitrogen One Field at a Time

Nutrien Ag Solutions has been a pioneer in addressing the challenges associated with nitrogen use in agriculture. Our commitment to 4R Nutrient Stewardship—applying the Right Source of nutrients at the Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place—underscores our approach to nitrogen management. Here are some specific examples of our key milestones and initiatives:

Biologically Based Solutions: Leading the Way 

At Nutrien Ag Solutions, our commitment to biologically based solutions are exemplified through our affiliate, Loveland Products®, which offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance input products. Our constant innovation in seed treatment, plant nutrition, fertilizer, adjuvant and crop protection products set us apart in the agriculture industry. We remain leaders in this space by aiming to adopt technologies and unique chemistries that address major agricultural challenges.

Our biological platforms support robust crops throughout the season while our dedication to sound agronomics and grower success helps us bring dependable and effective solutions to the market. To stay ahead of the curve, we validate emerging technologies by conducting trials across North America.

Helping you tackle the unique challenges you face at every stage of the season drives our commitment to innovation. With the ability to customize input applications, supported by Loveland sales managers and crop consultants, you can optimize production on every acre. We also conduct field scouting, soil and tissue sampling to understand each of your unique needs, thus fostering a strong relationship globally.

Our approach and innovative products position us to be leaders in biological solutions, ensuring we consistently deliver high-quality, effective agricultural solutions worldwide. For a comprehensive list of product offerings, visit LovelandProducts.com. 

Commitment to Agriculture

Nutrien Ag Solutions is addressing the need for grower-focused solutions by offering pilot programs that assist our customers reduce their emissions from the agriculture sector while meeting growing demand. Our dedication to understanding your needs and wants is evident in our expansive set of tools, including weather insights, seed breeding and production, skilled agronomists and advanced digital resources. Our goal is to help growers implement leading agronomy practices to maximize yields and ensure success in a challenging environment. 

With agricultural practices such as reduced tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping, we believe growers can minimize erosion and runoff while enhancing soil health and nutrient retention. Nutrien's FARMSMART platform is central to our agriculture offerings, allowing growers to track their progress and locate available paid programs like the 4R Nutrient Stewardship System through Agrible.  

Furthermore, our Sustainable Nitrogen Outcomes Program incentivizes you with a minimum of $2/acre for reducing applied nitrogen by at least 5 percent, supporting crops like corn, cotton, wheat, sorghum and barley. Dr. Sally Flis hosts the FARMSMART® Podcast, fostering discussions on sustainable practices and projects within the industry. 

Elevating Crop Management with Technology

Leveraging advanced technologies, Nutrien Ag Solutions provides precision agriculture tools, which integrates soil sampling, variable rate application maps and satellite imagery. By using these tools, you can optimize nitrogen application to meet specific crop needs based on real-time data.

Driving the Evolution of Fertilizer

Fertilizers have come a long way and Nutrien Ag Solutions continues to drive this evolution forward. As we navigate the dual demands of increasing food production and reducing impact, our commitment remains. Through product offerings and our broader initiatives, we are helping to shape a future where agriculture can thrive. 

Together with our growers, we are not just addressing the needs of today but also paving the way for a better tomorrow.

For more information about our products and initiatives, visit NutrienAgSolutions.com.