Boosting Crop Performance: Expert Answers on Micronutrient Solutions
September 3, 2025 Delivering crop inputs exactly where and when they are needed — what is generally referred to as precision agriculture — was once a specialty. These days, it’s table stakes, and that applies to micronutrients. CropLife interviewed Tommy Roach, Vice President, Product Development and Technical Services, Nachurs, to learn how the company approaches these critical crop inputs.
CropLife: What were your expectations for micronutrients in 2025 and were they met?
Tommy Roach: Nachurs has continued to see growth in micronutrient sales over the past 10 years. What used to be a cyclical trend is now thought of as standard practice for row crop agriculture across the U.S. What has changed during the timeframe is the use of micronutrient blends rather than straight nutrients (i.e. zinc, boron) as growers understand the benefits of micropacks and the synergies they offer.
CL: How has the role of micronutrients changed over the past couple of years?
TR: Micronutrients are being precision placed at specific times of influence that drive optimum crop productivity. This has changed from historical broadcast application with dry NPK.
CL: How has science/technology behind micronutrients changed over the past several years?
TR: Micronutrient chelation/complexing technology has not changed in years. What has changed is the blending of micros that target an intended end use (i.e. combining B, Mo, Cu, Mn that influences nitrogen utilization).
CL: What are the biggest challenges to growing the micronutrient market?
TR: With continued low commodity prices coupled with high land, equipment, and fertilizer cost, it is imperative that we search for ways to improve crop productivity with the least amount of effort. That is oftentimes achieved with the use of micronutrients at specific times during the growing season when a basic field task (i.e. herbicide or fungicide application) is being done.
CL: What are your expectations for the 2026 season?
TR: Tariff threats will continue to be in the back of everyone’s mind since many of the raw materials required for micronutrient production comes from offshore. In spite of this, I believe we will continue to see increased sales as growers realize and have proven that small amounts applied micronutrients have big results.
Subscribe Today For
