Approximately 80 percent of the crop protection products needed for this growing season are already in place. CHS Senior Vice President of Agronomy Gary Halvorson says the logistical issues surrounding nitrogen fertilizer is another story. In addition to coronavirus, a projected 97 million acre corn crop increases the demand for crop nutrients. “To prepare for that we’re increasing lines of communication so we can problem solve well in advance of them needing product.” It is estimated 70 percent of the active ingredients in crop protection products originate in China and India. Those products were in place before the burden of coronavirus. “Even though we haven’t put a seed in the ground for 2020, we’re actively planning for 2021,” said Halvorson. “We’re confident not just at CHS, but in the industry as a whole that we have the inventory in place to help the retailer and the farmer.” Over time, there has been an increase in fertilizer supplies at the local level. Halvorson describes that storage capacity as a ‘surge protector’ to help the supply chain at a challenging time.
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