Rock Phospate Origin

Sedimentary Phosphate

• Also called “soft rock phosphate”
• In North America,typically found in the Rockies or southern US
• Formed by the upwelling of phosphate rich marine waters which are precipitated by organisms leading to sedimentary deposits in a lagoonal (restricted) environment
• Sedimentary phosphate typically contains high levels of total and available phosphate
• Usually contains relatively high levels of calcium and silica which are great for soil and plant health
• Contains low levels of impurities and some trace minerals

Igneous Phosphate

• Also called “hard rock phosphate”
• In North America, primary sourced in Eastern Canada
• Removed from stocks or sills, formed by rare alkaline carbonatite complex rock deposits
• Typically contains lower levels of total and available phosphate compared to sedimentary phosphate
• May contain high levels of iron, radionuclides and heavy metals

Commercial Phosphate

Commercial phosphates (inorganic fertilizers) are developed through the process of crushing, screening and adding sulphuric acid to rock phosphate to form phosphoric acid. Phosphoric acid is then combined wi

th other agents to form the fertilizer. Two common examples are Mono-ammonium Phosphate (MAP) and Di-ammonium

Phosphate (DAP) which is processed by combining phosphoric acid with ammonia to form a slurry which is then solidified into a granule.

Although the phosphate found in inorganic fertilizer is readily available prior to application, this phosphate can be quickly lost through leaching and/or reformed into water insoluble phosphate compounds prior to plant uptake. Inorganic phosphates are also high in salts, increasing soil salinity issues.

Fertoz-Phos

Fertoz-Phosphate is a source of high-quality sedimentary rock phosphate mined in British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. High quality sedimentary rock phosphate when used on acidic soils or combined with other amendments and/or biologicals on high pH soils can be as effective as or more effective than commercial fertilizers. Plus, they offer extended phosphorus availability, less leaching, are low in salts and are naturally sourced and formed without extensive industrial processing.

Organic phosphate fertilizers are slower release and less susceptible to leaching. Naturally sourced, organic phosphate fertilizers create a more soil friendly microbe environment which improves the overall soil health, structure, water retention capability and productivity. Organic fertilizers are less concentrated so don’t damage plants through over-application.

Fertoz-Phos is Part of the Solution to Higher Yields 

Fertoz-Phos is not just phosphate fertilizer; it is a high quality source of calcium, phosphorus and silica that benefits the viability of soil organisms, continuously feeds the crop with essential nutrients, improves yield, and generates a return on investment.

Good Input, Great Product, Excellent Yields

Rock Phosphate has been studied extensively. Multiple research studies conducted globally confirm the immediate and long term benefits of rock phosphate in agriculture.

• Better for the environment and more
  • Minimizes eutrophication, groundwater contamination and soil salinity
  • Longer-lasting
  • Seed safe
  • Locally sourced
• Improved germination, early growth, root and shoot development, flowering
• Better yields

Over 13 trials including 95 treatments comparisons of rock phosphate only to untreated – a 35.8% average yield increase was calculated. Crops tested were wheat, corn, bean, potato, rice, amaranth, pea, oats, alfalfa and soybean.

Fertoz-Phos is a high quality source of rock phosphate with the above mentioned benefits. Other reasons to choose Fertoz-Phos over other phosphate products:

• High phosphate analysis with over 20% total phosphate and over 6% available phosphate
• Availability of phosphate increases with other applications such as elemental sulphur, humates, biologicals, composted manures and N-P-K fertilizers
• Locally sourced in Canada and the USA
• High quality product with minimal impurities and low heavy metals
• Sedimentary origin with no radionuclides, which are commonly found in igneous rock phosphate sources
• Low iron and aluminum levels, which are known to bind phosphates and reduce availability
• Sustainable, natural and organic approved
• Low in salts

Fertoz-Phos tested in Saskatchewan saw a bushel increase from 20-25 bu/acre during a dry year. With organic wheat prices at approximately $18 per bushel, this producer can expect a return of $90 per acre.

An Alberta producer found higher protein levels in wheat under Fertoz-phos treated (13.5-13.8%) vs. untreated fields (10.9%) and high protein in durum (15.8%) in Fertoz-Phos treated fields. While phosphate application has not been proven to increase protein in wheat, we have seen increased protein in multiple cases. One possible explanation is that phosphate deficiency is so severe that that it caused abnormal plant seed development, i.e., prevented the seeds from reaching normal protein levels. Research is still being done to determine whether P application is the main factor in the rise in the protein.

Cost and Return

The following calculations use approximate fertilizer costs, example yield and protein increases, and estimated average yields in organic production.

Fertoz-Phos, applied as a powdered product is approximately 40% cheaper than Mono Ammonium Phosphate (MAP) based on cost per pound of P, excluding the costs of application for both products.

-Include rock phosphate into your 3 year field rotation. Assuming a 60 lb/acre application rate of phosphate, apply powder rock phosphate at 300 lbs/acre at a cost of $40-50/acre and assume a return of $90/acre on wheat every year for 3 years without re- application. Increase your 3 year return by $220/acre.

Fertoz-Phos, applied as a granular product is approximately 40% more expensive than Mono Ammonium Phosphate based on cost per pound of P, excluding the costs of application for both products.

-Assuming a 25 lb/acre application rate of phosphate in-furrow with the seed, apply granular rock phosphate at 125 lbs/acre at a cost of $30/acre and assume a return of $90/acre on wheat. Increase your annual return by $60/acre.

-Include rock phosphate into your 3 year field rotation. Assuming a 60 lb/acre application rate of phosphate broadcast and incorporated in the spring or fall, apply granular rock phosphate at 300 lbs/acre at a cost of $70-80/acre and assume a return of

$90/acre on wheat every year for 3 years without re-application. Increase your 3 year return by $190/acre.

If protein levels in wheat are increased by the use of Fertoz-Phos, better grade and potential to sell as milling wheat is evident. Although grade spreads vary annually, a $6.00 per bushel spread between feed and milling grades are used as example. Assuming an average yield in organic production of 30 bu/acre, an additional $180/acre can be incurred.