Fertoz Rock Phosphate (FRP) : Sustainable, Productive, Profitable and Good for the Environment

With the renewed focus on regenerative and environmental sustainability, carbon management and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Fertoz would like to discuss it's efforts in these areas.

Fertoz provides solutions to environmental issues, sustainable ag production and CO2 reduction. We also provided full product traceability of our products. Fertoz field trials, research and review of scientific literature have shown the many environmental and sustainable benefits of high quality rock phosphate as outlined in the following bulletin:

This will be the start of a series of work in environmental responsibility, sustainable ag solutions and education and outreach to our customers, partners and investors.

Natural, Sustainable and Better for the Environment

Fertoz-Phos is a direct mined, crushed, screened, granulated, and transported cost effective alternative to conventional fertilizers. Fertoz-Phos is a sustainable option for organic, regenerative and conventional producers. Fertoz fertilizers are certified organic and have zero chemical additives . Rock phosphate provides extended long-term nutrient release. Reduced leaching and run-off losses from Fertoz Rock Phosphate (FRP) does not impact natural waterways and aquatic ecosystems.

Proven Yield Increases

A thorough review of multiple research studies show substantial yield increases from rock phosphate compared to no P application. Similarly FRP increased production in numerous field trials.

Rock Phosphate Production Significantly Reduces Carbon Release into the Atmosphere

Conventional phosphate (P) fertilizer production creates 5.6 times more CO₂ than rock phosphate (RP) due to its manufacturing processes according to the chart below.

Difference in CO₂ emissions between conventional phosphate and rock phosphate

Volume of fertilizer through mining, processing and transportation	For every kg of Rock Phosphate ( RP ) produced, 0.2 kg of CO2 is released	For every kg of conventional P produced, 1.3 kg of CO2 is released
	Volume of CO2 released from RP production	Volume of CO2 released from Conv. P production
1 ton	0.2 tons	1.3 tons
30 tons (1 truckload)	6 tons	39 tons
100 tons	20 tons	130 tons
1000 tons	200 tons	1300 tons

*Data supplied to charts are a result of Fertoz' internal research

It Takes Fewer Acres to Neutralize the Carbon Release from Rock Phosphate

Field crops sequester CO₂ from the atmosphere and use it to produce biomass. Assuming average forage production, the number of conventional acres required to be carbon neutral based on plant type and volume of fertilizer used are outlined as follows:

Number of acres required to neutralize CO₂ from fertilizer production

Volume of fertilizer applied	Grass (acres)		Alfalfa (acres)
	Rock Phosphate	Convent. fertilizer	Rock Phosphate	Convent. fertilizer
1 ton	0.01	0.065	0.005	0.03
30 tons (1 truckload)	0.3	1.95	0.17	1.11
100 tons	1	6.5	0.57	3.71
1000 tons	10	65	5.71	37.14

*Sequestration factors for each crop (volume of CO2 removed from the atmosphere in tons per acre) grass (20 tons/acre), alfalfa (35 tons/acre) Manitoba Forage Council,2008

Yield Increases - Additional Benefit with Organic Fertilizer

Potentially increase returns using Fertoz-Phos on average 500 acre farm seeded to wheat compared to no current fertilization application

Example: Multiple research and field trial data indicate an approximate yield increase of 15% from rock phosphate application compared to no phosphorus application. A 500 acre farm, applying rock phosphate (RP) at 100 kg/acre yields the following crop returns:

	Wheat		Corn		Alfalfa		Legumes
	Yield without P	Yield with RP	Yield without P	Yield with RP	Yield without P	Yield with RP	Yield without P	Yield with RP
Yield	25	29.4	40	47.1	1	1.18	20	23.5
Yield Increase		4.4		7.1		0.18		3.5
$/acre return (net)		$52.8/acre		$56.8/acre		$27/acre		$35/acre
$ return 500 acres (net)		$26,400		$28,400		$13,500		$17,500

*Assumed organic grain prices: Wheat ($12/bu), corn ($8/bu), Alfalfa ($150/t), Legumes ($10/bu)

Reduce your Carbon Footprint with FRP

There is a growing concern around high CO₂ emissions and effect on climate change. Making your agricultural management practice more sustainable gives the soil opportunity to become a sink for CO₂. Choosing fertilizers that reduce CO₂ emissions minimize agricultural impacts on climate change. Carbon credits derived from sequestration may be able to be sold via carbon trading platforms, therefor generating additional income stream for farmers.

Replace 20% of your Total Phosphate needs with Rock Phosphate and Reduce CO2 Emissions

Reduce carbon emissions and lower your carbon footprint by using rock phosphate. Start by replacing 20% of your mono-ammonium phosphate, di-ammonium phosphate or triple super phosphate to see extended P availability and long-term soil and environmental benefits.

Difference in CO₂ emissions between straight conventional phosphate and 80:20 conventional P: rock phosphate inclusion

Volume of fertilizer through mining, processing and transportation	For every kg of 80:20 (conv. P:RP), 1.04 kg of CO2 is released	For every kg of conventional P produced, 1.3 kg of CO2 is released	A blend of 80:20 reduces CO2 production by 0.26 kg compared to straight conv. P
	Volume of CO2 released from in an 80:20 conv.P:RP production	Volume of CO2 released from Conv. P production	Difference
30 tons (1 truckload)	31.2 tons	39 tons	-8.8 tons
100 tons	104 tons	130 tons	-26 tons
1000 tons	1040 tons	1300 tons	-260 tons

Number of acres required to neutralize CO₂ from fertilizer production

Volume of fertilizer applied	Wheat (acres)		Corn (acres)		Grass (acres)		Legumes (acres)
	Convent. fertilizer	80:20 P:RP	Convent. fertilizer	80:20 P:RP	Convent. fertilizer	80:20 P:RP	Convent. fertilizer	80:20 P:RP
1 ton	0.26	0.21	0.26	0.21	0.065	0.05	0.13	0.1
30 tons (1 truckload)	7.8	6.24	7.8	6.24	1.95	1.56	3.9	3.12
100 tons	26	20.8	26	20.8	6.5	5.2	13	10.4
1000 tons	260	208	260	208	65	52	130	104

Higher Crop Yields Increase Carbon Sequestration and Reduces Carbon used per bushel of Production

An organic production system can reduce the amount of CO2 per bushel of production by using fertilizer at optimal rates. In the example below, CO2 emissions are reduced by 3 kg per bushel of production using rock phosphate fertilizer over not using any fertilizer at all.

For example:

	Organic Producer using no fertilizers	Organic Producer using 100 kg Rock Phosphate
Average Yield	25 bu/ac (62 bu/ha)	29 bu/ac (72 bu/ha)
CO2 emitted from 1 ha wheat	1500 kg CO2/ha*	1500 kg CO2/ha*
CO2 emitted from RP production	0 kg CO2 (no RP production)	20 kg CO2/100 kg RP produced
kg CO2 emitted per bu wheat	24 kg CO2/bu	21 kg CO2/bu

*Wheat Carbon Footprint of 1500 kg CO²/ha retrieved from Desjardins et al., 2020.

References

Manitoba Forage Council. 2008. Forage Technical Bulletin. Impact of alfalfa and fertilizer on pastures: Carbon Sequestration in Pastures.https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c6d9be4797f740e645a4310/t/5ca11037ee6eb01a14b11e46/1554059320273/carbon_sequestration_in_pastures_final_june_26_p.pdf

R.L. Desjardins¹, D.E. Worth¹, J. Dyer, X. Verge. The Carbon footprint of agricultural products in Canada. Ottawa Research and Development Center, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada