Ella VanKempen’s test plots at the West Central Research and Outreach Center (WCROC) in Morris, Minnesota, look a little different than most of the agricultural research locations around the state. As a horticulture researcher, the plants she focuses on are typically evaluated for aspects other than bushels per acre.
“We have ornamental plants, perennials, shrubs, and tropical. plants here as well,” VanKempen says.
A recent product demonstration VanKempen conducted as part of an innovative AURI project may impact one of the state’s most important row crops: soybeans.
AURI recently conducted a value chain analysis and market assessment to evaluate the potential for increased utilization of liquid soybean meal fertilizers in the horticulture sector in Minnesota. AURI previously worked with the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council (MSR&PC), identifying opportunities for dry soybean-based fertilizers. The liquid soybean meal-based fertilizer project furthered that initial research.
The AURI study also examined possible distribution models for fertilizers within the cooperative farm retail model and the greenhouse industry value chain. Overall, the project is designed to increase market penetration and knowledge of liquid soybean meal fertilizer products.
Flowery Comparison
VanKempen led one of several evaluations conducted across the state. She demonstrated the effects of liquid soybean-based fertilizers on horticulture plants both outdoors and in controlled environment greenhouses. She compared two soybean-based liquid products with synthetic fertilizers.
“At the beginning of the season, the plants are getting prepared to go outside, so I’m trying to give them more nitrogen intake to promote their stem and foliage growth,” VanKempen says. “Then later in the season, I provide phosphorus as a ‘bloom blaster’, I call it, to give the plants more flower power.” VanKempen says the Morris area received a lot of rain during the growing season, so some of the outdoor testing was affected because plants didn’t need any additional liquid. However, results of the liquid soybean fertilizer applications in greenhouse evaluations were encouraging.
“I had a controlled environment in the greenhouse this spring and the plants responded well,” VanKempen says. “One rule that I abide by is to listen to the plant’s needs. This fertilizer experiment has pushed me to pay attention to their reaction as I’m experimenting with both synthetic and organic soy-based fertilizers. The reaction in the greenhouse in that controlled environment was very good overall, and I used the soy products on plants of all sizes.” VanKempen says there is a growing desire by some gardeners to use organic fertilizer products instead of synthetics derived from chemicals.
“There definitely is a trend towards using more organics, and I think there’s potential for the soybean-based products,” Vankempen explains. “But the question is if it’s going to be economically viable for people to use soybean-based products and if the result is going to be equal to or better than their synthetic fertilizer.”
AURI Business and Industry Development Director Harold Stanislawski says there is a potentially sizeable market for natural, liquid fertilizers, especially in controlled environments like greenhouses. Stanislawski says two companies that make soy-based fertilizers were identified for this project, and their products were used in the evaluations.
“We decided to demonstrate these novel products in the state of Minnesota and to do a market assessment of how big that market might be and how we can advance soy utilization in the liquid fertilizer market,” Stanislawski says.
Stanislawski indicates that among the benefits of a liquid fertilizer is faster absorption and nutrient availability for the crops. There’s also a labor savings because liquid fertilizer can be applied through automated irrigation systems, allowing for precision application rates and timing.
“I think we’ve found a very good lane for liquid soy fertilizer utilization in environmentally controlled agriculture,” Stanislawski adds.
A Crushing Issue
Soybean crushing capacity in the Midwest is growing, putting more soybean meal into the market at a time when soybean exports have dwindled. Soybean industry leaders are working to maximize demand for all soybean components.
“We definitely have some challenges with the export side of things, so domestic market opportunities are what people are looking at,” says Mike Youngerberg, senior director of product development and commercialization for the MSR&PC. “Anything that we can do to utilize the soy protein side of the marketplace is going to be very beneficial.”
Youngerberg says there is interest in providing options for people who want to use products that aren’t made from synthetic ingredients. The AURI project shows that there are opportunities to explore.
“We were able to really prove that the products work,” Youngerberg says. “It creates a potential market for people who are growing flowers, shrubs, or even turf grass.”
Creating Separation
Mike Reiber of Axiom Marketing conducted the market research assessment, connecting with people throughout the greenhouse and fertilizer industries to help determine the market potential for liquid, soybean-based fertilizers.
Reiber says there is some interest in the industry for liquid organic products, but a real challenge is educating people in the industry about those products and demonstrating that the soybean-based products offer enough advantages to get them to change.
“There is opportunity as long as we’re educating the greenhouse growers and the controlled environment agriculture people about the reason that they should try these inputs instead of using what they’ve used for the last 50 years,” Reiber says. “That’s the opportunity and the barrier all in one, right there.”
Reiber says many growers in the greenhouse and controlled environment production trade have long histories with current products, and they know what those products will do. However, for growers who are looking for a non-chemical alternative, soy fertilizers show promise.
“If they are interested in sustainable production inputs, the future is good,” Reiber contends. However, in the greenhouse trade and in the controlled environment trade, growers have long histories with wettable powders that become liquid fertilizers, and they know exactly what the powders do. They are very reluctant to change.”
Reiber sees potential unique opportunities for soy-based liquid products to meet market gaps. Possible avenues include developing a starter fertilizer; using the liquids as a foliar fertilizer with micronutrients added; focusing on the bio-stimulant characteristics of the amino acids found in soybean fertilizers; and promoting the products as a carbon supplement.
“There’s potential to focus on these market gaps to formulate something unique and interesting around nutritional needs for crops that have the highest potential,” Reiber explains.
As with any market analysis, it will take work to develop potential into reality. In the case of the soy-based liquid fertilizers, there’s reason for optimism.
“I’m excited about both the dry and the liquid soy-based fertilizers,” Stanislawski says. “I think through proper distribution and additional education and outreach, these fertilizers can have a place in the market. Then we can truly say that we have sustainable fertilizers grown in our backyard by Minnesota farmers.”