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Using gypsum to improve soil quality is a popular topic for farm and agricultural inflencer audiences. Please contact our communications consultant Karen Bernick at 1-866-GYPSOIL (497-7645) if you have questions, need story ideas, photos or want to set up interviews with a GYPSOIL team member. GYPSOIL also participates in many national trade shows and meetings including Ag Media Summit, Commodity Classic, National No Tillage Conference and Farm Progress show to name a few.

High resolution photos for current news release available here.

Recorded and Powerpoint presentations from the 2014 Midwest Soil Improvement Symposium can be found on the Symposium page. 

Highlights from the 2014 press conference at Ohio Farm Science Review.

A collection of general press releases can be found below:

ADM partners with GYPSOIL to distribute gypsum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTHPORT, NC - Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has signed an agreement with the GYPSOIL^TM Division of Beneficial Reuse Management LLC (BRM) to market gypsum (calcium sulfate) produced at ADM’s Southport, N.C., citric acid plant. The product is marketed as GYPSOIL^TM brand gypsum.

Agricultural producers use GYPSOIL^TM to improve soil fertility and structure. “GYPSOIL^TM is an excellent option for supplying calcium, a nutrient that is important to a wide variety of crops, but particularly essential for peanut growers,” says Ron Chamberlain, director of gypsum programs for GYPSOIL^TM/BRM. In addition to calcium, gypsum is an excellent source of soluble sulfur, a nutrient that is often lacking in soils today.

Large-seeded peanut varieties, including Virginia and Jumbo Runner types, are at risk for underdeveloped kernels or “pops” if they do not have enough calcium. Dark spots on seeds, poor germination, poor grades and pod disease are also potential problems that can result from calcium deficiency.

Good for crops
Applying gypsum, or “landplaster,” at rates of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per acre is a common management strategy used by peanut growers to avoid these problems. Calcium must be available in the top few inches of the soil, or pegging zone, so that pods can absorb it directly from the soil as they develop.

Applying GYPSOIL^TM to cropland also improves soil structure by neutralizing the metals and chemical salts that bind to clay particles and cause poor soil structure and sealing at the soil surface. “This results in less ponding and runoff after a rain, as well as less soil erosion when GYPSOIL^TM is used on tight clay soils,” says Chamberlain.

Gypsum produced at ADMʼs Southport facility is a co-product of citric acid production from corn fermentation. Citric acid is widely used in beverages, processed foods and other household products to regulate pH, enhance product quality and extend product shelf life.

Serving growers
“We are excited about serving an even greater number of Southeastern growers through our partnership with Gypsoil,” says Katheryne Rehberg, ADM product manager, Acidulants. “GYPSOIL^TM brings a broad base of technical knowledge on the use of gypsum for agricultural production.”

“Our goal is to help agricultural producers gain access to sustainable resources to meet their production needs,” says Chamberlain. “We look forward to serving Southeastern growers as they fulfill their gypsum needs.”

About ADM
Every day, the 29,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world’s premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, were $62 billion. For more information about our company and our products, visit www.adm.com.

About GYPSOIL^TM
GYPSOIL^TM is a division and tradename of Beneficial Reuse Management LLC. Its mission is to
make a positive impact in our customersʼ soil while conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.

Applying gypsum, or “landplaster,” at rates of 1,000 to 2,000 pounds per acre is a common management strategy used by peanut growers to avoid calcium deficiency. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) has recently signed an agreement with the GYPSOIL^TM Division of Beneficial Reuse Management LLC (BRM) to market gypsum (calcium sulfate) produced at ADM’s Southport, N.C., citric acid plant. The product is marketed as GYPSOIL^TM brand gypsum. Photo supplied by North Carolina State University.