2010 Fluid Forum – Pushing The Yield Barrier

The Fluid Fertilizer Foundation held their annual Fluid Forum on February 14-16, 2010 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The first half of the program focused on the overall theme of the meeting - “The Future Is Here: Pushing The Yield Barrier”. A common thread of the presentations was that increasing crop yields with our agricultural production systems may require a different approach in developing fertility programs than we have used in the past. Dr. Harold Reetz reviewed previous research focused on 300 bu/a corn and then speculated about future fertility programs for obtaining even higher yields in the future. Dr. Kristin Schneider of Monsanto discussed tommorrows innovations in genetic improvement while Dr. Don Huber visited with the audience on interactions among crop protection chemicals, nutrient management programs and new genetics.

Additional discussion about future high yield requirements focused on an N management model developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska while Dr. Gyles Randall discussed his views on the adequacy of current crop nutrient recommendations for obtaining future increases in crop yields. Additionally, Mark Pearson, noted humorist, provided an in-depth economic outlook for agriculture     - and did it in a humorous and entertaining fashion. And finally, we were honored to hear from Dr. Luc Maene, Director general of the International fertilizer Association located in Paris, France. He visited about the fertilizer industry and their role in providing food for an ever increasing population.

Most of the remainder of the program consisted of 14 presentations updating the attendees on the various research projects supported by the Fluid Fertilizer Foundation. These research projects cover crops ranging from corn to soybeans to vegetable crops and wheat. Geographically, the research project presentations included Australia (1), Argentina (1), Canada (2) and many states in the United States.

Appreciation to the FFF was expressed by the various researchers for providing needed funding for applied research and to the many commercial laboratory members of the Foundation for providing analytical services for the research projects.

Additionally, several awards were presented at this annual event. Dr. Jerry Hatfield with the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment was awarded the FFF Werner Nelson Award. This award recognizes individuals who has been closely associated with the fertilizer industry in promoting sound fertility programs and has made other substantial contributions via research, development of recommendations and/or written materials. Dr. Dan Walters, the University of Nebraska, was presented the FFF Researcher of the Year Award. This award recognizes long-term excellence for crop nutrition related research contributions that improve crop production profitability and sustainability utilizing fluid fertilizers. The FFF truly appreciates all of the efforts put forth by both of these gentlemen over the years in support of the Foundations’ research and educational goals.

Finally, several long time FFF members were recognized by being named FFF Fellows. The Fluid Fertilizer Fellows Award was established in 2002 in order to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fluid fertilizer industry. Honored with 2010 FFF Fellow Awards were Kim Coker, Spencer Douglass, Rex Hopkins and Terry Tindall. Congratulations to each of the Award winners for their efforts and time devoted to the Foundation!

Dates for the 2011 Fluid Forum are February 20-22, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Past Headline News: 1 - Fertilizer & Crop Prices
Past Headline News: 2 - Fluid Technology Workshop
Past Headline News: 3 - Shifting Paradigms in Evaluating Plant Nutrition
Past Headline News: 4 - Fluid Fertilizer Compatibility Chart
Past Headline News: 5 - Pushing The Yield Barrier
Past Headline News: 6 - '11 Fluid Forum – The Need For Intensified Cropping
Past Headline News: 7 - 2012 Fluid Forum