Nutrient Management Again Front And Center At 18th Annual Fluid Forum
During sessions spread over two and a half days at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, capacity crowds learned from industry leaders and researchers about the latest technological and agronomic advances in the world of fluid fertilizers, along with some admissions there is also room for improvement. Dr. Terry Kastens of Kansas State University gave insightful advice concerning how to deal with crop production management in highly volatile times. Dr. Patrick Brown opened many eyes by conceding there are systemic errors in the manner in which critical values are used in high value crops. He went on to explain how both research and extension corrective efforts are under way to address these needs within the tree crop industry of California. Dr. Ricardo Melgar also gave an enlightening lecture on developments within the fluid fertilizer industry in Argentina. The Monday-Tuesday sessions included a wide array of 21 presentations.
Tasty cuisine was the order of the day at the Monday noon Annual Banquet meeting before getting down to Foundation business and honoring industry members deserving recognition. Researcher of the Year Award went to Mike McLaughlin of the University of Adelaide, Australia, for his outstanding research contributions to the fluid fertilizer industry. The prestigious Werner Nelson Award was presented to Dr. Paul Fixen of the International Plant Nutrition Institute for his outstanding contributions in soil fertility practices and plant nutrient management. Fluid Fellow Awards, given for recognition of leadership in the fluid fertilizer industry, were given to Dr. Kim Polizotto of PotashCorp, Dr. Raun Lohry of Nutra-Flo Company, Dr. Nyle Wollenhaupt of AGCO Corporation, Ken Washburn of Twin State, Inc., and Dr. Harold Reetz of the Foundation for Agronomic Research. Sebastian Braum of Yara North America, Inc. was introduced as the new chair of the R & E Committee and the gavel was passed to Don Pottinger of International Raw Materials, LTD as the FFF’s 2009 chair.
In 2010, the Fluid Forum will again be held at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale. Dates are February 14 to 16 2010. |
An array of 21 researchers and industry people offer latest in agronomic and technological advances to improve nutrient efficiencies and bump yields.