Key Takeaways:
- Landus and Talusag have initiated the first field trial in North America using locally produced green ammonia fertilizer, with corn planting underway in Boone, Iowa.
- Green ammonia is chemically identical to traditional anhydrous ammonia, but produced using air, water, and on-site renewable energy, offering a localized and potentially more resilient supply chain.
- The test marks the first use of U.S.-made green ammonia on a commercial corn crop, with results to be monitored throughout the 2025 growing season.
- A 20-ton-per-day green ammonia production facility is under construction in Eagle Grove, Iowa, signaling interest in scaling localized production.
- Landus and Talusag plan to share results through field days, offering stakeholders an opportunity to observe the fertilizer’s agronomic performance and integration into existing practices.
Green Ammonia Fertilizer Trial Underway in Iowa Led by Landus and Talusag
Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, and Talusag, an agricultural technology and energy infrastructure company, have begun field testing commercial-grade green ammonia fertilizer on corn crops in Boone, Iowa. The trial represents the first of its kind in North America, aimed at evaluating green ammonia as a reliable and potentially cost-effective alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilizers.
The trial is being conducted on a corn test plot and will run throughout the 2025 growing season.
What Is Green Ammonia and Why It’s Being Tested
Locally Produced, Chemically Identical to Conventional Ammonia
Green ammonia is produced using water, air, and renewable energy sources such as solar power, rather than fossil fuels. While the chemical makeup remains identical to traditional anhydrous ammonia, the production process results in lower emissions and localized supply.
“By producing fertilizer locally, we’re giving farmers more control and reducing exposure to supply disruptions,” said Sam Caton, Interim CEO and EVP of Sales at Landus. “This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative problem-solving rural communities need.”
Supply Chain Benefits and Local Production Plans
Scaling Up with Distributed Facilities
The Boone test site is the first step in a broader plan. A 20-ton-per-day green ammonia facility is under construction in Eagle Grove, Iowa, intended to demonstrate the feasibility of distributed fertilizer manufacturing.
“By improving access to this critical raw material, we are eliminating a long, costly and unreliable supply chain,” said Hiro Iwanaga, Co-founder and CEO of Talusag. “This approach supports farmers directly, offering more stable access to essential crop inputs.”
Agronomic Observations and Integration into Existing Systems
Monitoring and Field Demonstrations By Landus & Talusag
Green ammonia will be evaluated for how it performs in Iowa’s soil conditions, its compatibility with existing farm practices, and its potential impacts on crop yield and health. Control strips using conventional anhydrous ammonia are included in the test to enable side-by-side comparisons.
“We’re applying the same nitrogen farmers know and trust, but with a new production model behind it,” said Scott Ahrenholtz, Technical Agronomist at Landus. “This trial helps us assess long-term viability and performance.”
Next Steps and Stakeholder Engagement For Landus
The first corn crop using green ammonia was planted the week of April 14, 2025, and will be observed throughout the growing season. Landus and Talusag plan to host field days during the season to provide transparency on progress and share findings with growers, researchers, and the broader agricultural community.
