2008 CALENDAR YEAR
11/06/08 Familiar face returns as Account Manager in Western Canada
05/27/08 Agrico Canada forms strategic alliance with Yara
02/18/08 Agrico Belleville improves for spring
01/30/08 New face for Agrico in Western Canada

As everyone in the Ag business in Western Canada is aware Ken held a similar position with Agrico from February 1994 until August 2006 when he took early retirement.  Fortunately for Agrico and our dealers, Ken decided to come back to work.

Ken will serve Agrico dealers in Western Manitoba and Eastern Saskatchewan.  His knowledge of the business and years of experience is a great benefit to Agrico and its dealers.  We welcome him back and hope his stay is a lengthy one.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Whitelaw
President
Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée

Agrico Canada forms strategic alliance with Yara
Mississauga, Ontario, May 27, 2008 - Agrico Canada Ltd, via the sale of a 25% ownership stake, has partnered with Yara International, a leading global suppier of fertilizer products. The share purchase creates a strong marketing and supply entity in the Canadian agricultural marketplace.

Agrico's partnership with Yara marks a logical progression for two companies that share a commitment to serving the needs of Canadian agriculture .

"We have been providing Canada with top quality fertilizer products for over 75 years", says Robert Whitelaw, President of Agrico Canada.  "We are pleased to have found a partner that shares our focus on value-added service based on tradition and customer care. We look forward to working together with a truly global player in our industry."

Yara International is the word's largest fertilizer producer/supplier. The company focuses primarily on nitrogen products, but markets a broad range of macronutrients and proprietary specialty products. Yara International is based out of Oslo, Norway, and has operations in over 40 countries, with sales to more than 120 countries. Yara Canada has strategic liquid and dry fertilizer terminals at Montreal and Contrecoeur, Quebec, respectively, that service Eastern Canada and Northeast U.S. This strong Eastern presence will be an excellent fit with the facilities and resources that Agrico Canada utilizes in Ontario and Western Canadian markets.

"This investment provides the basis for a closer cooperation from an operational standpoint", says Pete Valesares, President of Yara North America. "The cooperation between Yara and Agrico creates an improved fertilizer importation position, and complementary flagship terminals at Hamilton, Ontario (Agrico) and Contrecoeur, Quebec (Yara) will mean increased efficiency."

To learn more about Yara, visit www.yara.com.

For more information, contact:

R.L. Whitelaw
President
Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée
Phone: 905-672-5700

Agrico Belleville improves for spring
Belleville, Ontario, February 18, 2008 - Customer service is a high priority at the Agrico Farm Centre and
recent improvements to the blending facility continues that focus. Construction began on a 10-tonne automated
fertilizer blender in January and the entire facility will be re-organized to accommodate modern bagging and
tote-filling equipment.

“These improvements will allow us to serve our customers quickly and more efficiently,” comments manager
Barry Cooper. “The renovations will be completed without any interruption to service and the plant will be
fully operational to fulfil the spring fertilizer requirements of our many customers.”

The new blending system will be high speed and efficient allowing for blending of multiple products,
including additives such as Avail, Agrotrain, micronutrients and growth stimulants. It is expected the new
facility will increase the speed and ease with which growers can load their products and head to the field. With
spring quickly approaching, growers can be confident their requirements of N, P, and K in accurate blends will
be available and efficiently loaded.

“We will be able to meet all demand for fertilizer products and blends this spring,” Cooper adds. “As the
newest, most modern facility in the area, we are confident we will be supporting our customers better than we
have in the past.”

For more information, contact:

New Face for Agrico in Western Canada
Mississauga, Ontario, January 29, 2008 - Dealers selling fertilizer in Alberta and western Saskatchewan will be meeting a new representative for Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée in the coming weeks. Wayne Donaldson will be assuming the duties of Account Manager for the company on February 11. He will be based in Saskatoon and he is no stranger to the fertilizer business having worked for other fertilizer companies in the past.

"This is a positive move for me," Donaldson comments. "I have been away from agriculture for a few years and am looking forward to returning to the industry." He adds he plans to re-establish himself in the fertilizer business as quickly as possible and to connect with Agrico's customers beginning with his attendance at the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers convention being held in Winnipeg in February.

Donaldson's immediate supervisor says Agrico is excited to have someone with his knowledge and experience in the fertilizer business to serve the company's customers in Saskatchewan and Alberta. "He will be responsible for growing our market in that territory and for ongoing support of our established customers," explains Rick Rempel, Vice President of marketing for Western Canada.

Donaldson brings 17 years of experience in sales and marketing to Agrico's successful team. He has a record of working successfully in dealer networks with particular emphasis on education and regular contact with customers. Donaldson is a graduate of University of Saskatchewan with a degree in soil science which gives him a solid background in the fertility needs of the soils of Western Canada.

"I want to expand Agrico's interests to new areas and enable dealers to meet the needs of farmers with the latest information and knowledge about soils and fertility," Donaldson adds.

For more information, contact:

Northumberland Grain Acquires Hunco Farm Supply
Brighton, Ontario, December 24, 2007 - Customers of Northumberland Grain Inc. will have a new outlet to visit in the new year. The company, a joint venture between Dexter and Karen Harder and Agrico Canada Ltd./Lteé acquired the assets of Hunco Farm Supply Co. of Port Hope, Ontario, in late December and will continue offering full service and agricultural supplies at the new facility.

"We are both pleased and honoured to have acquired this reputable company and commit to continuing the fine service offered by Hunco," says Dexter Harder. "We plan to enhance the service by adding new products. It is also a strategic move for us as we plan to close our plant in Cobourg next summer and consolidate our operations at the Hunco location."

Northumberland Grain is a crop input business and grain elevator with a head office in Brighton and a branch at Cobourg. The latter operation is strictly a crop inputs outlet and was formerly a retail outlet owned 100 per cent by Agrico. Hunco Farm Supply is also a complete crop inputs dealer and handles feed and other farm supplies. The amalgamation of the three operations will result in two efficient crop inputs locations with ease of access and a full line of farm supplies.

"We are proud to be a part of a progressive company like Northumberland Grain and we will relocate our liquid nitrogen terminal, currently at Cobourg, to the Hunco property," says Agrico president R. L. (Bob) Whitelaw. "This acquisition will be a benefit to Agrico as well because a major component of our liquid nitrogen comes from Cameco at Port Hope, so we are moving closer to that source. Agrico has been serving agriculture in the area since 1931. The Cobourg location was opened in 1967 and we are pleased to continue that tradition by partnering with Northumberland Grain."

A name change for Hunco is in the works as well, according to Harder. "The two companies will be merged under the name Northumberland Grain Inc., but the same fine service will continue," he explains. Northumberland Grain has been offering elevator service in Northumberland County since 1980 and became a 50/50 joint venture partner with Agrico in 1996.

For more information, contact:

Open House at Agrico Lindsay Farm Centre
Mississauga, Ontario, June 7, 2007 - After a winter of construction, Agrico's Lindsay Farm Centre is new and improved. The operation moved to a new location on Little Britain Road and, now that the dust has settled, the management and staff are issuing a public invitation to an Open House on June 28, 2007 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.

"We want all our customers and the community to come out and see the improvements we have made," says Agrico president R. L. (Bob) Whitelaw. "It was a lot of work, but customers will see the difference in delivery times and range of products."

Following substantial investment and renovation, the state-of-the-art agricultural supply outlet, formerly located on Harvest Street, now boasts a better delivery system, the fastest tower fertilizer blender in the area, a wider range of agricultural tools, and safer storage for products. Agrico also assumed some of the product lines of Plaunt Farm Service, the former owner of the property, in order to ensure area farmers have access to the products and services they need.

"We are looking forward to showing off our new facility," says Lindsay manager Matt Pecoskie. "There will be tours of the operation, refreshments, door prizes and entertainment. We invite all our customers and members of the community to visit us on June 28. People may be surprised to learn we are more than a farm store because we have pet food and bird seed, clothing and garden tools."

For more information, contact:

R.L. Whitelaw
President
Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée
Mississauga, Ontario
Phone: 905-672-5700, ext. 309

Employee News: Scott Furtney, Tony Lok, Dan Rivait
Mississauga, Ontario, April 12, 2007 - Agrico Canada is pleased to announce Scott Furtney joined the company on April 9, 2007, in the role of Assistant Wholesale Manager - Eastern Canada. Scott brings to this position over 30 years experience in agricultural retail in Ontario. His most recent position was Director of Operations for a prominent crop inputs dealer; a position he held for 13 years. Scott has an extensive knowledge of the agricultural retail sector and Agrico is proud to welcome Scott to our team. The management have every confidence that Scott will use his sales and management experience along with his agricultural knowledge to assist our dealer-customers in their support of Ontario agriculture.

In other news, Agrico reports that Dan Rivait has accepted the position of Supply and Distribution Manager. Effective immediately, Dan is assuming the position following the retirement of Tony Lok, who is assisting with the transition. Dan will be responsible for supply and distribution of product throughout Canada. Dan's most recent position with the company was Eastern Canadian Wholesale Manager, a position he held for two years. Dan's background in sales and management will be a great asset in this new role as he ensures movement of product and supply to Agrico's farm centres and independent dealer-customers.

Agrico welcomes Dan to this new role. The company management is confident that Dan will be effective in this position as the agricultural industry prepares to enter another spring.

Agrico also extends its deepest thanks to Tony Lok for over 16 years of dedicated service. Tony, we offer our warmest wishes for a happy retirement....you will be missed!

Agrico announces closure of Woodville Farm Centre
Woodville, Ontario, October 16, 2006 - Agrico wishes to inform all Woodville-area customers that the company has decided not to renew its lease at the Woodville location. A plan is in place to close the facility in the New Year, and all customers will be informed of the closure date well in advance to minimize any disruption.

Agrico cites a variety of factors that have contributed to this decision. The major reason is that, with all of the changes in agriculture over the last five years, the Woodville location has been struggling. When you, our customers, are suffering due to BSE, low beef prices, low pork prices and low commodity prices, your struggles become our struggles.

Agrico is confident the Ag economy will rebound as it has in the past; however, with consolidation at the farm gate it has become necessary and prudent to consolidate our Victoria county operations. Consequently, Agrico has coupled this action with the recent purchase of Plaunt Farm Services on Little Britain Road in Lindsay. At this new centrailized site, Agrico is expanding the retail farm store, building a new bulk fertilizer warehouse, installing a new high capacity tower blender and building a new AWSA approved chemical warehouse; all to better serve the needs of its customers and other local farmers. In addition, we are very pleased to announce that we have offered employment to Woodville's key staff at our new location, after the closure of Woodville Farm Centre.

To further serve your needs, Agrico will also be developing a new weekly bagged feed delivery route in Lindsay and surrounding areas, including Woodville. We trust you understand our decision - it was not made lightly. Agrico wants to ensure its customers experience minimal disruption in running their operations. We thank you for your support over the years and we want to continue as your farm, feed and crop input supplier in the future!

Agrico acquires Plaunt Farm Service Ltd. property in Lindsay, ON
Mississauga, Ontario, September 28, 2006 - The Lindsay, Ontario, area will soon have a more efficient, better serviced farm supply centre. On Sept 20, Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée announced it purchased the property of Plaunt Farm Service Ltd. and negotiated to continue offering that company's line of farm supplies. The acquisition gives Agrico a better location from which to serve both farm and urban customers and a more complete line of supplies to meet the needs of this diverse agricultural area.

"This is a very positive move for Agrico with a positive outcome for our customers," says Agrico president R. L. (Bob) Whitelaw. "Our old location was no longer meeting our needs and we can now add better blending facilities with improved delivery time."

The acquisition of the eight acre Plaunt Farm Service facility on Little Britain Road allows for construction of a high-speed, state-of-the-art fertilizer bulk blending tower and crop protection storage. The new farm supply store will carry all of Agrico's product lines in addition to the many farm supplies that were offered by Plaunt Farm Service. The exception will be the Delaval dairy equipment that will continue to be offered by Plaunts on Duritan Street West in Lindsay.

"I feel so good about this deal," enthuses Plaunt. "Agrico is going to bring some more great products to the business and our customers will now have access to more products, such as fertilizer, livestock feed, pet foods and bird seed. This move also allows us to focus on dairy farm equipment."

Plaunt will help during the transition which he sees as a way to continue assisting long term customers. He says there will be no disruption of service for either operation and his dairy customers can find him at the new location on October 23.

"This is a positive move for other farm-related businesses in the Lindsay area as well," explains Plaunt. "When a company of Agrico's stature moves into a location all the other businesses benefit with the increased traffic."

Construction on the new facility will begin immediately with Agrico anticipating the move from its current location in Lindsay by mid-November.

"We intend to be serving customers through the transition and we will be operating at full capacity for the spring season," adds Whitelaw.

Agrico party successful; celebration continues
Mississauga, Ontario, August 17, 2006 - A successful 75th anniversary party in Port Hope on July 8 was not the end of the celebrations for Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée. Instead it has served as a springboard for other opportunities to applaud the company's many years of service to Canadian agriculture.

"We have been overwhelmed with congratulations on the event and we have had requests for a photo CD from the event," says Agrico president R. L. (Bob) whitelaw. "It was a lot of work which paid off in ways we did not expect."

The celebration began with a day-long public open house with displays of vintage tractors and fertilizer application equipment supplied by Hope Agricultural Heritage Club; modern fertilizer application equipment displayed by Northumberland Grain and White Trim Farms; historical banners loaned by the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame and Country Heritage Park; and a collection of Agrico memorabilia culled from the company and other sources.

A highlight during the day was a presentation by Dr. Jay Lehr of Nutrients for Life Foundation, who gave an enlightening and entertaining talk on modern fertilizer practices and how they are necessary to feed a growing world population. His five key messages that fertilizers are drawn from nature; farmers are only replacing nutrients that are lost at harvest; the world needs fertilizer to feed itself; fertilizers conserve land and preserve wildlife habitat; and farmers are environmental stewards were heard by a crowd of over 150 listeners. Following his presentation, Dr. Lehr answered questions and handed out brochures to an eager audience who had not witnessed a presentation of this kind before.

Another special guest, Olympic Speed Skating silver medalist Shannon Rempel, signed autographs and showed off her medal to fans of her sport and the Olympics.

"Dr. Lehr gave an enlightening presentation and we have had a great deal of positive feedback on this with requests for videotapes and for directions to the website www.fertile-minds.org," Whitelaw adds. "Shannon's success illustrates her own determination which is similar to many people who work in the agriculture industry where, with hard work, dreams come true and success can happen."

The day was capped off with an invitation only dinner where long-term Agrico customers, suppliers, and employees were recognized. The crowd of some 250 guests were later were entertained by Canadian comedian Brent Butt.

Even though the organizers believed the party to be over, requests for more information on the displays, the speakers, and the clown troupe that entertained during the day have been arriving at Agrico's head office.

Olympic medalist celebrates Agrico 75th
Mississauga, Ontario, June 26, 2006 - Olympic speed skating silver medalist Shannon Rempel will be in Port Hope, Ontario, to attend the Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée diamond anniversary celebrations. The Winnipeg native will be on hand to support the company that has been sponsoring her for much of her skating career and she is looking forward to meeting fans, showing off her medal and talking about what it feels like to be an Olympian. Agrico is holding an open house on July 8, 2006 at the Town Park Recreation Centre in Port Hope in honour of its 75th anniversary and invites the public to come to meet Rempel and share in other events.

Rempel won the medal in the Team Pursuit event during her first appearance at an Olympic Games alongside teammates Cindy Klassen, Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes and Christine Nesbitt. While Rempel's name may not sound as familiar as those of her team mates, she is well-known on the international speed skating circuit. In 2003, Rempel was World Junior Champion and she has been named Canadian Junior Female Athlete of the Year twice - in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, she won a silver medal in a 1000 meter event on the World Cup Circuit and, in 2006, she placed 9th overall at the World Cup Sprint Championship. But, the highlight of 2006 was likely her silver medal in Torino, Italy, along with the four other Canadians.

The connection to Agrico is a strong one because Rempel's father, Rick, has been employed by the company for 25 years and holds the position of vice president for marketing, western Canada. Both Rempels will be at the 75th anniversary open house between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Open House is being called "A Walk Through Time" and features displays of Agrico memorabilia, vintage equipment supplied by the Hope Agricultural Heritage Club, and modern fertilizer equipment from Northumberland Grain and company farm centres in Lindsay and Belleville. Agrico encourages the public to come and ask questions about the role agriculture plays in our daily lives and to meet Shannon Rempel. Another highlight of the day will be the Fertile Minds Mini-Expo at 1:30 p.m. presented by Dr. Jay Lehr, who will put an entertaining and educational spin on the business of agriculture and the role of fertilizer in the industry.

Agrico's history in the Port Hope area encompasses more than just the head office that opened in 1931, but was moved to Toronto in 1965. The company continues to operate in a joint venture partnership with Northumberland Grain in Cobourg and Brighton and it was instrumental in introducing many of the agronomic innovations considered commonplace on many area farms.

Beginning in Port Hope, Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée has withstood the tests of time to become one of the premier, and oldest, fertilizer companies in Canada. Agrico owns fertilizer storage terminals at Hamilton, St. Thomas, and Cobourg, Ontario; Chambly, Quebec; and Oak Bluff, Manitoba and leases facilities in Port Stanley, Ontario; Biggar, Saskatchewan; and St. Paul, Minnesota. Agrico operates three fertilizer blending facilities in Lindsay and Belleville, Ontario, and Chambly, Quebec. The company has 11 joint venture partners in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Agrico to celebrate 75th anniversary at Open House in Port Hope, ON:
Mississauga, Ontario, May 10, 2006 - Agrico Canada Ltd/Ltée is pleased to announce an Open House celebration on July 8, 2006 in honour of our 75th anniversary, to be held where it all began, at Port Hope, Ontario (see below for details). This exciting event is open to the public (free admission) and will include: a unique "Walk Through Time" display of vintage and modern agricultural equipment; Agrico memorabilia; clowns; local service groups; door prizes; and a very special presentation of the Fertile Minds Mini-Expo, hosted by Dr. Jay Lehr, a noted scientist, author, and advocate for agriculture.

"Agrico introduced soil testing, custom blending of fertilizer products, and we helped growers understand the value a good fertility program can have on the bottom line," says Agrico president R.L. (Bob) Whitelaw. "I think people who come to our open house will be surprised by what Agrico has accomplished over the years. And, to think it all started here in Port Hope."

This event will be fun for the whole family! We hope to see you there! Details of the event: Date: July 8, 2006 Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Fertile Minds Mini-Expo featuring Dr. Jay Lehr from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.) Location: Town Park Recreation Centre - 62 McCaul Street, Port Hope, Ontario

Agrico to add liquid storage at St. Thomas, Ontario facilities:
Mississauga, Ontario, April 10, 2006 - Construction is scheduled to begin on a new UAN storage tank at Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée's St. Thomas fertilizer terminal. The 10,000 MT tank will add to the existing 30,000 MT of dry storage that opened in 1974.

A leased facility eight miles south at Port Stanley served as the company's UAN storage in the area until the owners of the property required 14,000 MT of the 32,000 MT storage leased by Agrico for their own use. This prompted Agrico to consider other options with the resulting decision to build at the company's current St. Thomas location. Ease of delivery and receipt of product were deciding factors when making the decision, according to Agrico president R. L. (Bob) Whitelaw.

"We face some logistic challenges at Port Stanley as we can no longer receive product by boat at this location due to the Federal Government's decision to stop dredging the river," says Whitelaw, "and at St. Thomas we can receive by unit train." Agrico will continue to use the remaining 18,000 MT leased storage in Port Stanley and with the new facility being constructed at St. Thomas, Whitelaw says Agrico customers in Southwestern Ontario will have improved access to product.

"The new tank at St. Thomas will be completed on time to be filled with UAN in the fall of 2006," Whitelaw adds. "We see this as a natural progression to meet the needs of our customers and the type of facility Agrico requires to meet those needs."

Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée also owns 20,000 MT UAN storage at Hamilton, 3,500 MT UAN storage at Cobourg, Ontario and a17,500 MT liquid storage facility in Oak Bluff, Manitoba. In addition to UAN storage terminals, it operates a network of warehouses for dry product in eastern and western Canada and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dexter & Karen Harder and Agrico become 50/50 partners in Northumberland Grain:
Brighton, Ontario, September 14, 2005 - Northumberland Grain Inc. is a grain elevator and crop input business started in July 1996 with the Harders, Agrico and Ben Currelly as 1/3 owners. In April 2002 Northumberland Grain Inc. expanded by purchasing the Agrico Cobourg Farm Centre.

On September 12, 2005 the company redeemed the shares held by Ben Currelly thereby affecting the new 50/50 arrangement with the Harders and Agrico. The Harders and Agrico want to acknowledge the contributions made by Mr. Currelly to Northumberland Grain Inc. while he was a partner and wish him the best as he pursues other interests.

Northumberland Grain Inc. has been successful in growing the business and increasing market share through top level customer service and their commitment to agriculture and the community. The company is in a position to improve and expand their facilities in order to continue offering their customers top level service.

Northumberland Grain Inc. is a member of the Certified Crop Care Association.

Daniel Rivait joins Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée:
Mississauga, Ontario, June 5, 2005 - Agrico Canada is pleased to announce that DANIEL RIVAIT will be joining our firm as the Business Development Manager effective September 1, 2005. Dan will be involved in marketing on the wholesale side, product procurement of new products and supplies and new business opportunities.

Dan has been involved in all major areas of the crop input business during his 20 plus years in the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Agrico team. He is well known and respected by the industry in eastern Canada and by suppliers worldwide. Dan's participation will be a key ingredient in Agrico's plans for future development.

Agrico Hires Joe Allison:
Mississauga, Ontario, April 5, 2005 - Agrico Canada Ltd./Ltée. is pleased to announce the hiring of JOE ALLISON effective April 11, 2005.

Joe is no stranger to Agrico nor the fertilizer business in North America. Joe had worked for Agrico as Account Manager in Ontario from 1980 to 1986 before joining Kalium Chemicals, where he worked for 17 years, then took early retirement on September 24, 2003. During that period IMC obtained Kalium and Joe became the Canadian Sales Manager for IMC/Kalium during which time Agrico was one of his accounts.

Joe is well known and respected by the manufacturing industry, dealers and government and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Agrico. Joe will be working out of his home office in Newmarket and covering dealers in Eastern Canada, reporting to M.S. (Mort) Hallowell, the Eastern Canada Sales Manager.

New Partner for Garex Ag:
Herbert, Saskatchewan, December 29, 2004 - Garex Ag Inc. of Herbert, Saskatchewan, signed a joint venture agreement with Agrico Canada Limited/Limitée this week to form a 50/50 partnership. Principle owner of Garex Ag, Gary Francis continues as president of the new company. "This partnership will allow us to give our customers a better level of service," says Francis. "This deal gives us a link with a strong supplier and a strong company and that can only be good for us and our customers.

Garex Ag began offering fertilizer and other crop inputs to area growers in 1979 and eventually built a storage and blending facility at Riverhurst in partnership with Lakeline Ag Resources to better serve the market. Located in the irrigated potato growing area of the south shore of Lake Diefenbaker, Garex Ag is surrounded by an aggressive and expanding group of seed potato, cereal and specialty crop producers. The joint venture with Agrico will allow the company to expand and will guarantee a consistent supply of fertilizer for Garex Ag's market area.

"This partnership will give us a dependable supply of quality fertilizer products, including the latest in micronutrients and associated technology," states Francis.

"This joint venture agreement with Garex Ag is exactly the type of relationship Agrico seeks," says R. L. Whitelaw, Agrico's president. "We learned our two companies share many of the same business ethics and that can only lead to a strong relationship." Francis agrees. "I think this will be a good deal for both of us because it links us with a company that will help us maintain our service and supply goals."

Agrico closes manure management project:
Mississauga, February 20, 2004 - After three years, it is gone. The high-tech manure management project launched by Agrico Canada Limited/Limiteé in the fall of 2000 has been closed indefinitely. The company cites numerous reasons for the demise of what, for many producers, was an environmentally responsible means of disposing of manure.

"We were excited about this technology," says Jay Whitelaw, special projects director for the company. "But, depressed markets due to the present state of the meat industry in Canada and the slow development of legislation on nutrient management, makes it impossible for us to continue offering this service."

The technology developed by Ag-Chem (AGCO) injected manure into the soil leaving minimal odour and reducing the possibility of residue run off. By testing the nutrient quality of the manure first, Agrico used agronomics to balance the nutrient levels before injecting the product into the soil. For producers, it was a responsible means of disposing of waste material while ensuring proper, balanced nutrition was fed to the soil. In the end, due to the permitted use of less costly means of disposing of waste materials and the current poor economic situation in the animal sector, says Whitelaw, it was too costly to operate.

Whitelaw insists that as regulations become more stringent regarding environmental stewardship and when the economy turns around in the animal sector, this is the technology of the future. "We still believe in this technology," adds Whitelaw. "Unfortunately, it appears the future is still a few years away."

Agrico Canada Limited/Limiteé is selling its manure management equipment, but does not deny that it could resurrect the technology if animal production difficulties and government regulations change. Meanwhile, the company will continue to focus on the other aspects of its crop fertility business.

New position supports Western Canada customers:
Oak Bluff, Manitoba, February 16, 2004 - With an emphasis on serving customers and providing more agronomic support, Agrico Canada Limited/Limiteé, has appointed Howard Heinrichs to the position of Account Manager for western Canada. Covering an area in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Heinrichs will add to the number of service representatives based at the company's Oak Bluff office.

"We felt that our expanding customer base and product line required the support of another staff person ," says Rick Rempel, Sales Manager for Western Canada. "Our goal at Agrico is to continue to grow and, in order to meet that growth, we need another knowledgeable person on staff."

Heinrichs, according to Rempel, fits the job description of someone who knows the market, has a recognized expertise in crop production and is a familiar face in western Canadian agriculture. He takes over the new position on February 23.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to work with a company that puts the needs of customers foremost in its corporate goals," says Heinrichs. "I know I can build relationships with customers and meet their needs and I intend to provide the same high quality service that Agrico customers have come to appreciate." Rempel adds that Heinrichs will be responsible for promoting Agrico's many materials, which include bulk dry and liquid fertilizers and micro-nutrients.