Key Takeaways
- Central Farm Service (CFS) partners with TalusAg and CleanCounts to build the first commercial local ammonia production facilities in Minnesota.
- The project utilizes Talus10 technology to convert air, water, and electricity into up to 20 tons of ammonia per day.
- Local production aims to shield Central Farm Service member-owners from international price volatility and supply chain instability.
- CleanCounts will provide a transparent registry to track and verify the carbon intensity of the ammonia produced.
- The initiative seeks to reduce wind power curtailment by using surplus renewable energy for fertilizer manufacturing.
Central Farm Service and Partners Launch Regional Fertilizer Initiative
Central Farm Service (CFS), TalusAg, and CleanCounts have announced a collaborative project to construct Talus10 local ammonia production facilities in Minnesota. This marks the first time locally produced ammonia fertilizer will be commercially available in the state. Pending support from the Renewable Development Account (RDA) in the 2026 Legislative Session, the project will provide a regional supply of ammonia directly to Central Farm Service member-owners.
The project features two Talus10 systems powered by electricity from Blue Earth Light & Water. These systems can produce up to 20 tons of ammonia daily, covering more than two-thirds of the annual ammonia sales for Central Farm Service. This output is expected to support field applications across more than 100,000 acres, offering a buffer against price shocks driven by global gas markets.
Strengthening Economic Resilience for Central Farm Service Member-Owners
The transition to localized manufacturing addresses significant fluctuations in the fertilizer market. “Ammonia prices have swung by more than 300% in recent years,” said KC Graner, CEO of Central Farm Service. “Local production gives our member-owners a level of control and predictability they’ve never had before—and it strengthens the economic resilience of every farm we serve.”
Kurt Koehler, Board Chair of Central Farm Service, added, “This is a great example of cooperatives looking to the future to ensure our members have certainty of supply and price for the products they need to produce a quality crop.”
Technological Integration and Grid Efficiency
TalusAg brings its modular, rapidly deployable Talus10 technology to the partnership, following a successful pilot in Iowa. “By producing ammonia where it’s used, we ensure reliable supply, reduce transportation costs, and provide price stability,” said Hiro Iwanaga, co-founder and CEO of TalusAg.
The project also addresses energy waste. By placing facilities in key locations, the partnership can utilize wind power that would otherwise be curtailed due to grid congestion. Data suggests that wind curtailment in the MISO North region could reach 15 million MWh by 2035; this project provides a “behind-the-meter” solution that preserves property tax revenue for rural counties.
Verification and Market Integrity
CleanCounts will manage the issuance and tracking of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) for the ammonia produced. This ensures that downstream partners can verify the carbon intensity of the fertilizer. “Certificates for clean ammonia will give all market participants confidence that a verified amount of ammonia has been produced using zero or other low-emissions methods,” said CleanCounts CEO Ben Gerber.
