Ashlynn Dempster
Lauren Gaudet
Caroline Thibodeaux
Andrew Fabregas
Nicholls State University
Christopher Castille
Keep this story going! Share below!
Their mission is to provide sustainable crop inputs to reduce the losses of the environment. Their purpose is to bring global nutrient solutions to local growers by providing customers with products, services, and solutions to reduce the environmental impacts of their agriculture, ensuring the health and vitality of the soil, water, and air of America. This is achieved through the use of Nitrogen fertilizer and Potash.
A couple of their UN SDG priorities are sustainable agriculture and Environmental Footprint. There are two focus products that target these goals.
Innovation 1: Potash, an old process used to harvest potassium. Wood ash was separated in old pots to soak then potassium leached from the ash, hence the name “pot-ash.” Modern techniques are a bit different from the old pot separation method, but the resulting potassium acts as a preservative that keeps bacteria away from the crops.
Innovation 2: Nitrogen fertilizer keeps the necessary nutrients in the soil, allowing for improved soil quality. Nutrien Ag Solutions recognizes that improper management of this product results in negative environmental impacts, understanding that careless applications can contribute to runoff into local water sources; this leads to excess nutrients in the water which causes algae and bacteria that depletes oxygen levels. This company invests in research and education towards providing guidance and proper use.
The inspiration for these innovations was their desire to minimize their carbon footprint and reduce the overall environmental impacts related to agriculture. Society can reap the benefits of healthier and cleaner food sources from produce, and the livestock who may feed off of the crops.
Their products include healthy alternatives to continue agricultural practices such as safer ingredients in the pesticides that protect crops from pests. The added nutrients help the crops to become more resilient through natural disasters, and innovations like the potash, specifically, help with excess moisture here in Louisiana from humidity/marshlands while also maintaining a healthier runoff solution.
Potash accounts for 28% of the gross margin by operating segments for 2019. Nitrogen Fertilizer makes up 13%.
In 2018, the company had $19.6 billion in revenues, invested $17 million in communities, reclaimed/restored 2,240 acres of land, and contributed $56 million in Research & Development.
Through the use of these innovations the company has been awarded for numerous goals including Safety, Health, and Environment achievements. They won the Environmental Respect Awards at both Regional and State levels in 2018.
Potash benefits the environment by increasing the resistance to plant diseases and high water retention. It has a positive effect on food color, taste, and texture. Potassium is important for your diet. It is involved with cellular metabolism and body functions. Potash has a component of feed supplements that are used to grow livestock.
Nitrogen Fertilizer is important for leafy vegetation since nitrogen is part of the proteins within plants and is required for growth as well as defense against pests. Liquid nitrogen keeps the nutrients at optimum levels to protect against disease and yield healthier and bountiful crops.
Get stories of positive business innovations from around the world delivered right to your inbox.
Drew Gaudet, General Manager
Nutrien-Ag Solutions is a worldwide crop protection company, with more than 1,700 global locations, and is the retail business of Nutrien, the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Advancements in technology have allowed for more effective growing methods that minimize environmental impacts.