Manitoba farmers have committed to a seat on the board of directors of a farmer-owned fertilizer plant being proposed in North Dakota, Keystone Agricultural Producers announced today.
The billion-dollar project has already moved from the feasibility stage to the planning stage, and has both investors and industry management experts on board, said KAP president Doug Chorney. A location has not yet been determined.
“Manitoba farmers are supporting this world-class project because they are frustrated with the high price of fertilizer – a vital crop input that just keeps going up, regardless of supply and demand patterns,” said Chorney. “This is an opportunity for us to impact the regional fertilizer supply and market dynamics.”
Don Pottinger, an industry expert who is helping to lead the project, said natural gas from western North American gas fields will be utilized by the plant. Natural gas is a key component of nitrogen fertilizer.
“We will create a stable fertilizer supply that is not dependent on off-shore natural gas supplies and freight costs,” said Pottinger, noting that the majority of North American fertilizer is currently produced using foreign natural gas supplies.
Chorney indicated that Pottinger will be available for media interviews at 12:00 noon on Thursday, July 19, in Grand Salon B of the Victoria Inn, Brandon, where KAP is holding its General Council meeting.
The Manitoba Canola Growers Association will fund Manitoba’s seat on the project board on behalf of KAP and all Manitoba farmers. It has announced that Brian Chorney, a farmer, agricultural engineer and MCGA vice-president, has been selected to fill the position.
