Nutra-Flow Launching Two EC Products
August 7, 2014 Growers have new choices when selecting insect control and crop nutrition products for next planting season because of two innovative new products from Nutra-Flo, North America’s leading liquid starter and foliar fertilizer manufacturer.
The company introduces Nutra-Flo FlexEC technology and PureGrade EC, the only combination of products on the market that allow growers the ability to blend their choice of EC-based liquid insecticide and fungicide with starter fertilizer.
The Technology: Nutra-Flo FlexEC
The new patented Nutra-Flo FlexEC technology works by holding standard EC pesticides together with liquid fertilizer for convenient in-furrow application of fertilizer and crop protection products to guard crops against corn rootworm and other secondary pests, throughout the growing season.
“Nutra-Flo is excited to deliver a game-changing technology to growers and retailers that solves a real problem,” said Jason Glover, Nutra-Flo director of business development. “Until now, only one insecticide could be blended into liquid fertilizer. The introduction of our Nutra-Flo FlexEC technology makes it possible for growers to select the EC-based insecticide or fungicide of their choice to mix with any starter fertilizer to achieve a uniform application and boost yields.”
Corn rootworm resistance is a growing concern, and protecting the crop with an in-furrow application of insecticide is a strong defense against damage. Growers need to be strategic and aggressive in their pest management approach. The Nutra-Flo FlexEC technology is an answer to that need.
“This technology has great potential for yield enhancements,” said Joey Hanson, an independent crop consultant and owner of Diversified Agronomy Consulting, Elk Point, SD. “There is a rule of thumb that I live by; I never want a corn crop to have a bad day. The pairing of starter fertilizer, FlexEC, and a liquid insecticide helps with that. It provides early season nutrition and uniform application of season-long protection from corn rootworm and other pests.”
Nutra-Flo offers the FlexEC compatibility agent in 2.5-gallon jugs or totes, to accommodate any volume need for growers or retailers.
Blended Choice: PureGrade EC
Nutra-Flo is putting the new technology to work in their proven PureGrade liquid fertilizer line by also introducing PureGrade EC – the first liquid fertilizer that contains the patented FlexEC technology.
“PureGrade is the industry’s best selling liquid starter fertilizer that provides high ortho-phosphate, low salt, non-corrosive crop nutrition plants need to get out of the ground and off to a great start,” said Glover. “PureGrade EC has the FlexEC compatibility agent already blended in so growers need only to select the EC-based crop protection product of their choice to fight off insect or fungi problems that they have in their individual fields.”
Liquid fertilizers and EC-based insecticides and fungicides are generally considered incompatible. As a result, growers were forced to utilize options that lack flexibility, trouble-free blending and overall efficacy. Through his observations as an agronomist for Nutra-Flo, Kelli Barnett has seen many growers face this challenge.
“Because of the molecular make up of starter and EC pesticides, they just don’t bond. In a sense, it’s like oil and water,” said Barnett. “In the past, when a grower utilized an EC pesticide and starter fertilizer, they had compatibility issues, which plugged screens and tips and resulted in an inconsistent application. Nutra-Flo FlexEC solves those compatibility issues. Plus, growers can now choose insecticides that protect against multiple pests, instead of having limited options.”
Nutra-Flo’s FlexEC and PureGrade EC expand growers’ options. Growers now can simply add any EC insecticide or fungicide to NutraFlo’s pre-blended PureGrade EC starter fertilizer; or use the FlexEC compatibility agent with the starter and EC insecticide or fungicide they choose.
“Everybody likes choice, and Nutra-Flo’s FlexEC and PureGrade EC are giving growers a choice,” said Glover. “As a company, we are excited to deliver flexibility and convenience to growers with safe and innovative new products to help them boost yields and maximize profitability.”
Nutra-Flo FlexEC Technology and PureGrade EC Liquid Fertilizer are available through a network of more than 600 dealers across North America for the 2015 planting season.
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