05 6月 - 06 6月 2023
Tampa, Florida

Argus Sustainable Fertilizer Americas Conference

Agenda

Join a line-up of expert speakers and innovators as they tackle the big questions facing the fertilizer markets in the Americas in the push for sustainability.

  • Fertilizer self-sufficiency and food security – Case studies of the US and Brazil as fertilizer as they both attempt to increase their food security and their fertilizer sustainability with different policy initiatives
  • Bankability – Understand how the sustainable fertilizer industry will be funded, and what types of public and private investment are on offer across the supply chain
  • AgTech insights – Learn about innovative new agricultural technology and remain on the cutting-edge of sustainability such as nutrient recovery and recycling, clean ammonia production, biostimulants, novel fertilizer products and more

To discuss speaking opportunities, please contact: emily.harris@argusmedia.com.

Agenda add ons:

Fertilizer Fast Track

New to the market? Need a refresher of market basics? Gain access to our online resources covering the basics of the fertilizer market before the conference so that you can make the most of your time during the event.

(Included in the Main Conference + Fertilizer Fast Track Pass)

Day One

Start End
  • 11:30
  • -
  • Registration
  • 12:55
  • -
  • 13.00
  • Chairperson's opening remarks Oliver Hatfield - VP Sustainable Fertilizers, Argus

Start End
  • 13:00
  • -
  • 13:40
  • How can food and beverage companies support the drive for agricultural sustainability? Sponsored by PhycoTerra - Speakers include McCain Foods and Mars
  • How are food and beverage companies working to support sustainable initiatives in fertilizer and agricultural businesses?
  • Research shows customers are willing to buy the sustainable option even if it costs more – but with inflation and the cost of living on the rise, are we seeing this in reality?
  • What are the main challenges in translating the need for sustainable practices by growers to the end customer?

Speakers include:

  • Jeremy Buchman, Senior Agronomy Manager, McCain Foods
  • Mariana Contreras, Global Regenerative Agriculture Lead, Mars

Modertor:

  • Dr Cassidy Million, VP of Ag Science, PhycoTerra

Macro-view of the sustainable fertilizer market

Start End
  • 13:40
  • -
  • 14:10
  • Introduction to sustainable fertilizer technology Dr Robert Mikkelsen - Director of Agronomic Services, Yara
  • Understand the terminology and discussions around sustainable fertilizers in different regions.
  • Breakdown the meanings of buzzwords such as enhanced-efficiency, specialty, novel, low-carbon fertilizers and more.
  • Learn about the fundamental ‘4R’ concept and how this can aid in the sustainable and efficient use of fertilizers.
  • 14:10
  • -
  • 14:40
  • Developing microbiome-based additives: From the lab bench to successful upscale manufacturing and field application Dr Walter Sandoval - Chief Science Officer, MicroBios S.A.
  • Hear from MicroBios as a case study of a company focused on biological solutions to sustainable fertilizer management practices.
  • How can microbiome-based additives help maximize the effectiveness of NPK fertilizers, maintaining crop yields while helping reinstate healthy and sustainable soils. How beneficial is this to creating a sustainable fertilizer market?
  • What research has been undertaken into the economic and environmental benefits of maximizing the effectiveness of mineral fertilizers?

Speaker:

  • Dr Walter Sandoval, Chief Science Officer, MicroBios S.A.

Coffee break

Start End
  • 14:40
  • -
  • 15:25
  • Afternoon coffee break and networking

Fertilizer self-sufficiency and food security: US and Brazil case studies

Start End
  • 15:25
  • -
  • 16:10
  • The Brazil answer: Reduce dependency on imports Matt Simpson - CEO, Brazil Potash

Brazil is currently the 8th largest importer of fertilizers with low domestic production capacity. In March 2022, Brazil’s government announced its National Fertilizer Plan to reduce its dependency on imports from 85% of its demand to 45% by 2050. They estimate in the year 22/23 alone they will be able to reduce reliance by 20-30%.

  • What are the viable alternatives to large scale imports on N, P, and K?
  • How successful have the initiatives been so far – is Brazil on course for a 20-30% reduction this year?
  • What makes Brazil so suitable to the use of specialty fertilizers? 

Speakers include:

  • Matt Simpson, CEO, Brazil Potash

  • 16:10
  • -
  • 15:55
  • The US answer: Use policy and public investment to encourage domestic supply expansion Corey Rosenbusch - CEO & President, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)

The US is taking a slightly different approach to ensuring their self-sufficiency. Boasting a robust domestic production capacity, the US is relying on boosting production of American-made fertilizers that are sustainable and innovative amongst other qualities.

  • How is the US scaling up domestic production and where are there alternative import sources?
  • Can the US emulate the success of Brazilian specialty fertilizer adoption? What factors need to be considered – crops, supply, pricing, land availability and more.
  • How successful has US policy – such as the $500m investment in American-made fertilizer announced by the USDA in 2022 – been at creating interest in sustainable fertilizer?

  • 16:55
  • -
  • 17:00
  • Chairperson's closing remarks

Drinks reception

Start End
  • 17:00
  • -
  • 19:00
  • Welcome drinks reception

Day Two

Start End
  • 08:00
  • -
  • 09:00
  • Registration and breakfast
  • 08:55
  • -
  • 09:00
  • Chairperson's opening remarks Oliver Hatfield - VP Sustainable Fertilizers, Argus

Government as a driver of innovation

Start End
  • 09:00
  • -
  • 09:30
  • How can government-backed studies promote the sustainable fertilizer industry? Dr Christopher Clark - Senior Research Scientist, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • There can be confusion over some sustainability claims and the performance of sustainable fertilizers – how can government-funded research help to dispel these and promote the industry?
  • What research is currently being undertaken by regulatory and government bodies such as the USDA and EPA into sustainable fertilizers?
  • How can government research and investment help drive the shift toward sustainable fertilizers and improve the relationship between agricultural research and fertilizer production?
  • 09:30
  • -
  • 10:15
  • Fireside chat: Winners of public funding Speakers include: - Aqua-Yield, Verdesian Life Sciences, Fertinagro Biotech International
  • Learn about how effective public funding can be in scaling up a sustainable fertilizer business.
  • What are the results from the initial lab testing of these sustainable fertilizers?
  • What is the next stage of planning for land tests and how could this affect the US fertilizer market?

Speakers:

  • Landon Bunderson, Chief Science Officer, Aqua-Yield
  • Dr Kuide Qin, Chief Science Officer, Verdesian Life Sciences
  • Dr Catherine Roue, Innovation & Sustainability Director North America, Fertinagro Biotech International

Coffee break

Start End
  • 10:15
  • -
  • 11:00
  • Morning coffee break

Conference resumes

Start End
  • 11:00
  • -
  • 11:45
  • Producer focus: Renewable energy mixes, novel products and the future of fertilizer production Speakers include - Phospholutions Inc, Nitricity, Hebei Monband
  • Decarbonising nitrogen fertilizer is a big challenge for the industry – largely owing to the CO2 needed to produce urea that is then released on application.
  • What solutions are available to the fertilizer market? Learn about using nitrogen inhibitors, switching to nitrates, potential for ammonia and more.
  • What is the scalability and feasibility of these options? Is it possible, and affordable, to decarbonise nitrogen fertilizers?

Speakers:

  • Hunter Swisher, CEO & Founder, Phospholutions Inc
  • Cleiton de Sequeira, Director of Business Development, Nitricity
  • Will Li, General Manager, Hebei Monband
  • 11:45
  • -
  • 12:15
  • Argus insights Oliver Hatfield - VP Sustainable Fertilizers, Argus
  • TBA

Lunch

Start End
  • 12:15
  • -
  • 13:45
  • Lunch

Nutrient recovery and soil health

Start End
  • 13:45
  • -
  • 14:15
  • An introduction to nutrient recycling and its role in a sustainable circular economy Karleigh Lewis - Account Manager, Certified Crop Advisor, Livestock Water Recycling
  • Nutrient recycling involves recovering lost nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from waste and converting them into fertilizers again.
  • How does nutrient recovery help increase plant yields whilst helping to combat run-off and non-point source pollution?
  • How can nutrient recycling programmes contribute to a circular economy?

Speaker:

  • Karleigh Lewis, Account Manager, Certified Crop Advisor, Livestock Water Recycling
  • 14:15
  • -
  • 14:45
  • The importance of regenerative practices to improve soil health Dr Marcel Barbier - International Chief Technical Lead, Monty's Plant Food
  • Learn why maintaining soil health is important for crop nutrition, boosting yields, and its benefits for the climate. 
  • Why are regenerative agricultural practices so integral to creating a sustainable fertilizer market?

Conference concludes

Start End
  • 16:45
  • -
  • 16:50
  • Chairperson's closing remarks
  • 16:50
  • -
  • Conference concludes

Fertilizer Fast Track Resources (*for Fertilizer Fast Track pass holders)

Start End
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • The role of fertilizers in agriculture Mike Nash - Senior Editor, Fertilizers, Argus
  • Liebig’s law of minimum and the key fertilizer macronutrients 
  • The need for fertilizers to meet global food demand: balanced fertilization and 4R concepts
  • Global production trends
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • Phosphates markets Claira Lloyd & Timothy Evans - Manager – Analytics & Consulting & Analyst – Fertilizers, Argus
  • Phosphate production routes   
  • Supply and demand dynamics  
  • Price drivers  
  • Current market themes  
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • Nitrogen markets
  • Ammonia production – the key nitrogen building block  
  • Production of other nitrogen fertilizers  
  • Global nitrogen supply patterns  
  • Price drivers 
  • Current market themes   
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • Potash markets David Riley - Senior Analyst – Analytics & Consulting, Argus
  • Overview of the different types of potash  
  • Supply and demand dynamics  
  • Current market themes  
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • NPK markets Matthew Lisley - Manager – Analytics & Consulting, Argus
  • Defining NPKs  
  • Pros and cons of NPKs  
  • Difficulties of measuring supply and demand  
  • Global NPK trade – key markets  
  • Price drivers and current market themes 
  • Online Materials
  • -
  • Added value fertilizers Jack Merriott - Senior Manager - Consulting, Argus
  • Defining product categories for AVF  
  • Evaluating markets and drivers for AVF  
  • Industry opportunities for AVF  

Plan your schedule at the Argus Sustainable Fertilizer Americas Conference

Download the brochure for more information on the 2-day agenda to find out more about the presentation sessions and latest speakers. Discover who's sponsoring and exhibiting and the many opportunities to network and schedule meetings with sustainable fertilizer industry peers