Dispersible Granule TechnologyDispersible Granule Technology

Chuck AndersonThe Andersons IncThe Andersons, Inc.

Turf & Specialty Group

Grain & Ethanol

RailPlant

NutrientConsumer

RetailTurf &

Specialty

11

Ethanol

DispersingDispersingDispersingDispersingGranuleGranuleGranuleGranule

TechnologyTechnology22

TechnologyTechnology

Why Why Why Why d b l ?d b l ?dispersibility?dispersibility?

33

Dispersibility… Why?Dispersibility… Why?1976 Today

“Stimpmeter” was introduced Televised professional golf increasesG d bGreens-speed war between courses

.25”.12”

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Dispersibility… Why?Dispersibility… Why?1976 Today

.25”.12”

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Mower PickMower Pick--up on Golf Greensup on Golf Greens

Granules picked-up in mower basket

Traditional Granular Fertilizer

66

Granule pickGranule pick--up in mower basketup in mower basket

Mancino, C.F., D.M. Petrunak, D. Wilkinson. 1999 Penn State

47% of M.U. granules picked-upi h th h lti l i

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in hopper through multiple mowings

Development of Development of Development of Development of f f our first our first

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Development of DGliteDevelopment of DGliteDreaming of the ideal pesticide carrier …

the right particle

low moisture ( 2%)sizebulk

density = 45 lb ft3

( < 2%)water

dispersible45 lb ft

pH for durable pH for stability =

neutral the right shape

particle uniformity

durable = rta 90%+

99

shape = spherical

uniformity = UI of 35+

Development of DGliteDevelopment of DGliteDreaming of the ideal pesticide carrier …

the right particle

low moisture ( 2%)sizebulk

density = 45 lb ft3

( < 2%)water

dispersible45 lb ft

pH for durable pH for stability =

neutral the right shape

particle uniformity

durable = rta 90%+

1010

shape = spherical

uniformity = UI of 35+

Development of DGliteDevelopment of DGlite

The effect of particle count with dispersibility

15Particles

15

10

per square inch200 pounds 10

5

pper acre

45 pounds per ft3

SGN215 SGN150 SGN100

1111

SGN215 SGN150 SGN100

Development of DGliteDevelopment of DGlite

The effect of particle count with dispersibility

15Particles

750 000

1,000,000

15

10

per square inch200 pounds

750,000

500,00010

5

pper acre

45 pounds per ft3

500,000

250,000

SGN215 SGN150 SGN100

“Self-IncorporatingGranule”

1212

SGN215 SGN150 SGN100

Particle Count (coverage)Particle Count (coverage)0.3/in2

0.9/in2

2.6/in2

7.2/in2

20 5/in220.5/in2

Effect of particle sizing on Dimension/Fert Dimension/Fert, 0.38 lb AI/A

1313

The success of “DGlite” gave rise to the need for

Dispersible Nutrients

1414

Playing withPlaying withPlaying withPlaying withM.U.D.M.U.D.

1515

Playing with M.U.D.Playing with M.U.D.

MMethylene UUrea DDispersibleMMethylene UUrea DDispersibleM.U. = perfect marriage for dispersibility

Can utilize “short-chain” MU40 to “long-chain” NitroformNitroform

In beginning, we focused on solving the mower pick-up issue and pesticide efficacy

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Customer feedback:Customer feedback:Customer feedback:Customer feedback:“Effi i G i ”“Effi i G i ”“Efficiency Gains”“Efficiency Gains”

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Efficiency with DispersibilityEfficiency with DispersibilityEarly stories from users talked about efficiency

• No mower pick-up• Tracking• Lack of “wash-outs”• Reduced volatilization?• Reduced volatilization?

• Self-incorporating granule

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Fi t k t h dlFi t k t h dlFirst market hurdle:First market hurdle:

MUMU--40 stigma40 stigmaMUMU 40 stigma40 stigma

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Dealing with the M.U. StigmaDealing with the M.U. Stigma

“MU40 is 8-week green-up at best”

1#/1000 ft2, 100% MU40May 7th app – Cool season turf

1#/1000 ft2, 50% MU40May 7th app – Cool season turf

2020

Focus on price per bag leads to blends of 50% SRN… value of the slow release is nearly lost

Dealing with the M.U. StigmaDealing with the M.U. Stigma“longer-chains will build-up in soil resulting in exploding growth with hot weather”

1.0 lb/1000 ft2, 50% MU40

1#/1000 ft2, 50% MU40May 7th app

, %May 7th app – Cool season turfJune 18th 50% MU40

0.75lbs

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Revitalizing anRevitalizing anRevitalizing anRevitalizing anold friend:old friend:

Could a spreadsheetCould a spreadsheetppsave the day?save the day?

2222

yy

Revitalizing an old friendRevitalizing an old friend

Early M.S. Excel toolused to model releaseof nitrogen

Input applications

2323

Model release

Revitalizing an old friendRevitalizing an old friend

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Revitalizing an old friendRevitalizing an old friend

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Revitalizing an old friendRevitalizing an old friendTemperature regionsTarget N

Product Selection

Application Rate

ProjectedNitrogen ResponseResponse

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Revitalizing an old friendRevitalizing an old friend

Q i k DQ i k DQuick DemoQuick DemoQQ

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In closing…In closing…

The FutureThe FutureThe Future…The Future…

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Ohio Dept. of Development GrantOhio Dept. of Development Grant

==33rdrd Frontier Frontier InvestmentInvestment

++3-year, $10 million

research & commercialization

1. Soil Dispersing 2. Foliar 3. Foamingp gGranules

2. Foliar Granules

gGranules

29294. Advanced Applicators 5. Emerging Biomaterials

4 Advanced Applicators4. Advanced Applicators

Thank youThank you3030

Thank youThank you