May 2016 - Andersons Humates

This post features a quick review of The Andersons’ liquid and soluble granule (SG) humic products and compares them to other liquid potassium humates generally found in the marketplace.

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In addition to our liquid and SG products, we also offer a full line of granular humic products. A summary of our granular humic products will be featured in an upcoming post.

Growers of all types—from large acreage grain producers to athletic field managers—ask us on a regular basis to explain the differences in humic products. The interest in humic products is gaining because many growers are placing an emphasis on managing to maximize soil health.

The 2015 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll stated that “93% of farmers agree that healthy soil can lead to better crop yields. About 77% claimed that it could also reduce vulnerability to drought conditions.”

Why Humic Products from The Andersons?

Our Humic Products help promote soil and plant health in many ways, including increased:

water soluble carbon
microbial population
nutrient and micronutrient efficiency
root mass

When you are evaluating humic acid products and choosing which one is best for you, there are a few things that we recommend keeping in mind:

Humic acid products should be evaluated by

A typical 3-12% humic acid liquid product on the market is a potassium humate product. These potassium humates do not have all three humic fractions (humic acid, fulvic acid and humin). Some potassium humates are OMRI-listed, some are not.

The Sulfonation Advantage

UltraMate SG and UltraMate LQ are both sulfonated potassium humates. The advantage of sulfonation for both products allows compatibility over a pH range of 2.0 to 12.0, in both soil and tank mixes. Traditional liquid potassium humates do not mix well in tank mixes below pH 5.8.

Sulfonation allows the user to apply this humic acid directly into tank mix, drip and overhead irrigation, and into low salt or low pH starter fertilizers. Mixing potassium humates that are not sulfonated can be risky for conventional humic acid products, especially with low salt or low pH fertilizers. UltraMate SG and UltraMate LQ provide maximum use flexibility. UltraMate SG and UltraMate LQ are not OMRI-listed.

UltraMate SG

UltraMate SG is a soluble granule that has a 70% humic acid content, compared to other liquids on the market that contain 12% humic acid or less.

This completely soluble granule is designed to be hydrated at the dealer or on the farm—mixed in a tank or in a fertilizer blend. The Soluble Granule process reduces freight and handling cost. It also provides flexibility in storage, inventory control, handling and rate of use. The grower only needs to mix as much of the UltraMate SG that is needed to make enough liquid for a single use.

UltraMate SG is applied at 1-3 pounds per acre (solubilized) per application, with up to 11 pounds applied annually. Corn, soybeans, wheat and specialty crops respond well to UltraMate SG. There are a wide variety of application timings and methods for UltraMate SG, including in-furrow with starter at planting and as a foliar post emergence. UltraMate SG is compatible with liquid fertilizers, micronutrients, and most pesticides. UltraMate SG may be applied through a wide range of equipment including drip and overhead irrigation, in-furrow, and 2×2.

For additional UltraMate SG application information, click here.

UltraMate LQ

UltraMate LQ is similar to a traditional liquid potassium humate. The advantage of UltraMate LQ over the traditional liquid potassium humate is increased tank mix compatibility when used at the same rate as traditional products. UltraMate LQ is designed for the grower that is more comfortable handling finished liquid products or likes the convenience of finished liquid products.

It is delivered to the grower in bulk, totes, or jugs, as a 12% sulfonated potassium humate liquid product.

UltraMate LQ is applied at 1-3 gallons per acre per application, with up to 10 gallons applied annually. These rates are comparable to competitive potassium humate liquids. UltraMate LQ is a great addition to nitrogen and starter fertilizer applications on a wide variety of crops. It is also ideal for foliar applications with fungicides, herbicides, and fertilizers. UltraMate LQ may be applied through a wide range of equipment including drip and overhead irrigation, in-furrow, and 2×2.

For additional UltraMate LQ application information, click here.

K-Mate SG

K-Mate SG is an OMRI-listed soluble granule with a 99% humic acid content. This completely soluble granule is designed to be hydrated at the dealer or on farm location, then mixed in tank or fertilizer blend.

K-Mate SG has the characteristics of a liquid potassium humate but has a much better price position. The Soluble Granule process reduces freight and handling cost. It also provides flexibility in storage, inventory control, handling and rate of use. The grower only needs to mix as much of the K-Mate SG that is needed to make enough liquid for a single use.

Corn, soybeans, wheat and a wide range of annual and perennial specialty crops respond well to K-Mate SG at the rate of 1-3 pounds per application, with up to 7-9 pounds applied annually. K-Mate SG was designed to be applied through a wide range of equipment including drip and overhead irrigation, in-furrow, and 2×2.

Also available through The Andersons is a high speed, low startup cost mixing unit for solutionizing K-Mate SG. For more information, contact us today.

For additional K-Mate SG application information, click here.

Product Range Overview

The Andersons’ range of humic products contain a highly available, soil-active carbon source that is delivered using the latest humic acid granule technology. We offer a complete line of technologically-advanced, easy-to-handle products superior to others on the market today.

Our humic offering includes products that can be used in granular or liquid application throughout the growing season.

Dispersing Granule (DG) Products