Landus has begun a field test of commercial-grade, locally produced green ammonia fertilizer in Boone to see how it performs for farmers.

“By producing fertilizer locally, we’re giving farmers more control and reducing exposure to supply disruptions. Boone is setting the standard for what’s possible when tech, infrastructure, and agriculture align,” Sam Caton, interim CEO and executive vice president of sales at Landus, said in a press release.

Landus, the state’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, is working with Texas-based Talusag, which produces the first and only modular green ammonia fertilizer production systems. A larger, 20-ton-per-day green ammonia facility is under construction in Eagle Grove.

“By improving access to this critical raw material, we are eliminating a long, costly and unreliable supply chain that directly helps local farmers, like here in Boone, Iowa,” said Hiro Iwanaga, co-founder and CEO of Talusag. “By producing this essential fertilizer input at locally distributed sites, we are directly supporting Iowa farmers and ensuring they have reliable access to what they need for their crops regardless of global market conditions.”

Anhydrous ammonia is a key nitrogen fertilizer, valued for its high nitrogen content and cost-efficiency. Green ammonia is chemically identical to conventional anhydrous ammonia, but is produced using on-site solar power, air and water.

“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 gives us a chance to observe how green ammonia performs in our soils, how it integrates into existing practices, and what it could mean for crop health and yields long term.”

Planting began the week of April 14, making it the first corn crop in the U.S. that will be grown with American-made green ammonia. The test plot will be monitored throughout the 2025 growing season for agronomic performance against control strips using anhydrous ammonia. Landus and Talusag will host field days to showcase the development of the test.