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Our Swiss subsidiary is joining forces this year with the dynamics of a new hub on the St-Aubin site in Fribourg. The capital with 38,500 inhabitants would like to create a big agribusiness centre dedicated to innovations and the pooling of knowledge. Startups and big companies are concentrated in the capital. For our Swiss subsidiary, whose head office is in Zurich, this location presents a number of interests.

A new commercial tool

An area of 120 ha is dedicated to this centre as well as 6,500 m2 of offices, laboratories and 100 ha of farming areas. Benefitting from an exclusive partnership with the farm located at its centre and including plots dedicated to our protocols is a way to assert our commitment to innovation. Federal institutions active in the farming sector such as Agroscope (Swiss Institute for agronomic research) or FIBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) will also follow the activities of the new centre.

This pilot farm helps prove to all Swiss farmers that our solutions are financially profitable and that they will improve the profitability of their farm. Aurélien Roger, Director TIMAC AGRO Swiss.

See far to prepare the future

If our subsidiary invests in premises at this pilot farm, it is not only to test our solutions and ensure a close relationship with experts at CMI Roullier, but also to take the opportunity to talk to future clients and partners. Fenaco, a Swiss agricultural cooperative present in this centre, reaches 22,000 farmers in the country. “Our end clients are attentive about the return on their investments and we can reassure them and assist them, thanks to lifesized trials”, said Aurélien Roger.

In June 2019 Nutryfert received the “Food Chain Accesit” award at the SciencEkaitza Gala held in Baluarte, Spain. More than 1,500 participants gathered to attend the second edition of the science competition, organised by the technology company ADItech. The Government of Navarre is participating in this collaboration that rewards the most innovative ideas for transforming society and the economy. It was there that Nutryfert was rewarded for its technology that recycles minerals from organic waste.

The challenge of repurposing organic waste in the circular economy

The EU currently produces more than 90 million organic waste products containing on average at least 20% of the total mineral nutrients consumed as mineral fertilisers in agricultural production. However, only 15% of this waste is used in organic soil enrichers and virtually none of its mineral content can be incorporated into the manufacture of fertiliser granules due to environmental, health and technical constraints.

The circular economy model puts particular emphasis on waste, which is not only a problem to be dealt with but is becoming a new resource. To accompany this change, Nutryfert project director and scientific advisor to TIMAC AGRO and CMI Roullier, José María García-Mina, explained that researchers are developing new technology to transform this waste into a “clean raw material, containing mineral nutrients that can be assimilated by crops and can be used to produce mineral fertiliser granules. ”

Nutryfert: product of a consortium

The research and development of the technology is performed by scientists from the BACH Group (biological and agricultural chemistry group) of the University of Navarre (UNAV) in partnership with TIMAC AGRO España and CMI Roullier. Field trials will be carried out by INTIA (Navarro Institute for Agri-Food Technologies and Infrastructures). The first results are very encouraging.

“We have been able to identify the genes linked to the best use of certain nutrients such as iron and phosphorus,” says Mr. García-Mina.

Together they developed the Nutryert technology, producing new fertilisers by recycling minerals contained in agricultural waste (produced by crops and animals).

By optimising the mineral resources of organic waste, Nutryfert has become part of the ecological transition towards sustainable agriculture.

Marta Fuentes, Ángel Zamarreño, Óscar Urrutia, José María García-Mina and Javier Erro.

Maximum Soy Productivity Challenge once again proves the efficiency and superiority of TIMAC AGRO Brasil.

Once again, TIMAC AGRO Brasil customers are at the top of the podium of the Maximum Soy Productivity Challenge. Non-irrigated champion producer Rafael Tolotti, from the South region, achieved a productivity of 123.50 bags per hectare (7.4 tonnes/ha), while João Antônio Gorgen, winner of the North/Northeast regions, reached 96.89 bags per hectare (5.8 tonnes/ha).

Year after year, TIMAC AGRO’s solutions have been helping producers to increase their yields. This is the 5th time the brand has featured in the results of the contest winners.  The 2018/2019 harvest champions used technologies such as NP Plus, TOP-PHOS, Fertileader and PROGEN Detox BR to nurture and protect their crops. As a result, they almost doubled their productivity. “Before using TIMAC products, our productivity was 70 bags per hectare (4.2 tonnes/ha),” said the current non-irrigated champion.

For Tolotti, the result at the Maximum Soy Productivity Challenge reiterates the efficiency of products and services provided by TIMAC AGRO’s team of technicians: “Using TIMAC products makes our work easier, because with efficient fertilisation we have nothing to worry about. I recommend TIMAC products because they have added value, deliver results and that’s why we trust them. Better care leads to better results,” adds Rafael Tolotti.

Maximum Soy Productivity Challenge

The Maximum Soy Productivity Challenge is organised by the Brazilian Soybean Strategic Committee (CESB), considered one of the biggest technical references for productivity improvement. The result from this edition, referring to the 2018/2019 harvest, was officially announced during a ceremony held in Londrina (PR/BR), in June.

The Brazilian Soybean Strategic Committee is a non-profit organisation made up of professionals and researchers from various fields who have come together to work strategically and use the knowledge gained in their respective careers for national soybean production.

CESB’s main product is the Maximum Productivity Challenge, which, since 2008, has seen hundreds of participants attempt to reach the goal of over 80 bags per hectare (4.8 tonnes/ha). All knowledge and techniques acquired throughout these years of challenges by the Committee are shared with producers.

TIMAC AGRO Italia is taking part in the SCP (Sustainable Consumption and Production) program with sugar beet producers. The objective is to develop innovative solutions in order to improve the performance of extractable sugar. The first stage will take place at CMI Roullier, where suitable technology will be designed to improve the nutrition of sugarbeet. The second mission will focus on studying the sustainability of agricultural systems faced with climate hazards.

Several objectives fulfil this research: helping the sector to reach these sustainable development objectives, being competitive on an economic level and improving the health of Italian and European societies.

Our TSAs are active in 29 of the 93 wine-producing countries in the world, or nearly 70% of all vineyards. With the acquisition of the wine-growing firm Falua by our VITAS Portugal branch, TIMAC AGRO is a driver of growth in the Tejo region.

Our commercial strategy relies on quality

With the acquisition of the Falua company, VITAS offers a showcase of our teams’ expertise and the efficacy of our wine-growing fertilisation products. Our TSAs are proud to support the quality upgrade of Portuguese wine.

Falua in figures

• 22 employees
• 68 ha of vines
• 4.2 million bottles/year
• 20 wines (white, red, rosé and sparkling)
• 54% of the production is exported

Falua: a golden vintage for our brand image

ViniPortugal (the Interprofessional Assosiation of the Portuguese Wine Industry that manages the “Wines of Portugal” brand present on 4 continents and 14 strategic markets) organises an annual Wines of Portugal Competition.

At the 2018 contest, the wine “Conde Vimioso Reserva Tinto, 2014” from Falua won one of the 36 gold medals.

TIMAC AGRO Canada was among the winners of the “Harvest Program” 2019, an international competition held in Saskatchewan, Canada’s biggest agricultural province, which aims to highlight innovations and technologies with the potential to improve yields and future agricultural practices.

Our subsidiary won with its Top-Phos technology, earning an exceptional opportunity to showcase its work at the Ag in Motion event – the biggest agricultural gathering in western Canada (320 hectares – 50,000 participants), which will take place from the 16 – 18 July.

Making inroads in western Canada via our innovations

Organised by the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA), the “Harvest Program” features innovative companies whose technologies have the potential to contribute to improving yields and agricultural practices in Saskatchewan. This province, nicknamed “Canada’s breadbasket”, is home to 34,000 agricultural producers cultivating crops on 14 million hectares of land: primarily wheat and canola (a plant in the rapeseed family). This market represents a potential 3.5 million tonnes, out of the 8 million tonnes total on the Canadian market.

“Winning this Harvest Program award falls within the objectives we set ourselves for 1 year of our strategic development plan for Canada. In this vast market, in which TIMAC AGRO was relatively unknown, the aim was to demonstrate our international successes in terms that would resonate with the Canadian market, thereby equipping our innovations with technical credibility and visibility at the local level. This approach gives us a certain momentum for transposing our results on the ground, notably via commercial and industrial investments,” notes Simon Jolette-Riopel, General Manager of TIMAC AGRO Canada.

 

Indeed, winning the award is a major achievement in terms of recognition for TIMAC AGRO, as the affiliate was selected from among 24 candidates from 8 different countries, and was picked by a committee made up of members of research institutes, the provincial Agriculture Ministry and industrial stakeholders.

Demonstrating our products’ added value in the field

Our competition entry was prepared in collaboration with the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier and Dr. José Maria Garcia-Mina, Professor at the University of Navarre. Our entry won over the selection committee thanks to its innovative character and the development potential of the Top-Phos technology, in a market in which 80% of the soils are alkaline.

Timed to coincide with the competition entry, Top-Phos demonstration protocols were implemented by the CMI and the Canadian subsidiary at the beginning of the year in Saskatchewan; the objective being to demonstrate the added value of Top-Phos technology for canola, and also to study the favourable impact of our biostimulants in Canadian regions that experience the highest levels of climate stress (cold, drought, etc.).

Top-Phos technology stands out

Top-Phos provides the specific advantage of protecting Phosphorus present in the soil against the adverse phenomenon of “lockup” – thanks to Top-Phos, Phosphorus uptake is improved in both acidic and alkaline soils.

A visitor of considerable note was recently welcomed to the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier. Our Tunisian distributor SEPCM paid us a visit, accompanied by Belgacem D’Khili, its key customer in the wine-growing industry. Organised from 27th to 29th May 2019, these meetings began in Loire Atlantique, before continuing in Saint Malo. The purpose of the meetings was to increase Groupe Roullier’s presence in the vineyard sector and develop wine-growing expertise.

A subsidiary of Groupe Roullier specialised in products specifically suited to each country in the Plant Nutrition field, Vitas directly markets Groupe Roullier’s Agricultural Supplies range in countries where there are no subsidiaries. To do so, it works with importers and distributors exclusive to the country. The main territories involved are Tunisia, Jordan, Libya, and Saudi Arabia. Vitas primarily operates in the water-solubles and fertigation market.

Last May, Vitas welcomed a customer of our distributor SEPCM (Doghri Group), based in Tunisia. This invitation was also arranged by wine-growing specialists from the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier: Marie Le Néouanic and researcher Mustapha Arkoun. A graduate oenologist from Université de Montpellier and a doctor in Agronomic Science, Belgacem D’Khili is also an international viticultural expert in charge of the Castel Group’s interests in Tunisia. This specialist is currently managing an area of 1,100 hectares, 240 hectares of which are vineyards. The estate is located in Jendouba, in northwestern Tunisia. During his visit, he was accompanied by Chebil Mehrez, the Managing Director of SEPCM. 

From Nantes to Saint-Malo: a multi-stage meeting  

While the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier was the final stage in these meetings on the wine-growing industry, everything began in Nantes on 27th May 2019, where a meeting was organised with Hervé Valette, Managing Director of Coopérative des Maraîchers Nantais and winegrower. This provided a chance for these experienced professionals to discuss the subject that brought them together. 

The second stage for our distributor and its customer was the visit to the Herbauges estate in Loire Atlantique. This 120-hectare vineyard is located at the heart of the Muscadet vineyard and exports 900,000 bottles each year, 80% of which are for the United States and the United Kingdom.  

The last stage was the visit to the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier on 29th May. Our visitors were able to take part in a training session, presented by Marie Le Néouanic, on the approach to fertilisation. For his part, Belgacem D’Khili shared Tunisian vineyard techniques. The experts from the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier also demonstrated the applications of solid fertilisers and biostimulants in the wine-growing sector.  

“The visit went really well and Vitas should be able to develop sales in specialised markets in Tunisia.” Charles Lafaurie, Africa and Middle East Export Manager.

Increasing our presence in the wine-growing sector

The main subject of these meetings was the Groupe Roullier’s approach to vineyard nutrition in difficult conditions. 

These meetings and the resulting discussions proved fruitful and will lead to the application of our fertilisation plan for Belgacem D’Khili’s estate, both for the vineyards and the citrus and olive trees. Tests will also be carried out to compare the customary Tunisian growing practices and Vitas’ growing practices. The tests will extend to organoleptic stages because Belgacem D’Khili is also an international expert in olive oil, and as such participates in numerous panels in France and worldwide.  

Welcoming the only Tunisian person to hold the French agricultural merit award is an honour and will enable us to increase the presence of the Groupe Roullier’s products in the viticultural sector. A partner like this is a major boon, and will enable us to increase our investment across this sector.  

We have a presence across various vineyards in France, Italy and Portugal, where market share in these countries is very significant.

Aurélien Claeys, you are currently Regional Director of TIMAC AGRO BeLux. What aroused your interest in the IBL Program?
There are principally two things that I can put my finger on. The first one is the opportunity to join a Group that works towards sustainable and precision agriculture. Its industrial footprint and potential development are great. To work for a firm renowned in its field is an opportunity and the IBL Program lets us seize it. The second thing is the quality of the program itself. To integrate a subsidiary with a high level of responsibility while being coached at head office as well as in the field is a huge advantage.

What is the greatest strength of the IBL Program?
The greatest strength is the fact that we learn by doing. We are integrated into the core of a commercial subsidiary as Regional Director, working with local experts who are available to help us evolve our relationships with farmers, technical sales representatives and distributors. We are allowed to prove ourselves progressively with maximum support.

What have you learned from the weeks of training at Saint-Malo?
Above all, it allowed me to discover the Centre Mondial de l’Innovation Roullier and I was very impressed by it. A unique centre of innovation dedicated to the world of Animal and Plant Nutrition. In addition to the opportunity to access this exceptional venue in the world of agri-feed supplies, I was impressed during the weeks of training by the human contact created with the other participants and the chance to be able to share our daily experiences. We are confronted with the same difficulties and having this network is very important to me. We are therefore supervised at three levels: the formal and the theory plus the practical training which are essential for me, the local aspect and the actions we have to implement in the field, and lastly the natural aspect. The “natural” aspect refers to the relationship that we form with the team. We were able to discuss things together informally and this was a rewarding experience.

“I’ve always wanted to occupy a position of responsibility with a P&L to defend.”

Experts support the candidates. Can you say a few words about yours?
I work with Alain Gaupin, Sales Director, who I hold in high esteem. I have great consideration for him, not only for his professional credibility and his long history in the firm, but also for his enthusiasm, which he knows how to transmit to others. This kind of person instils in you a passion for the profession. I like learning by his side and once more, it’s an opportunity offered by the program: to be able to evolve alongside people who have proved their worth and to pass the baton on to future generations.

You are reaching the end of the 15-month IBL Program. How would you assess this experience?
Thanks to this experience, I was able to become aware of the reality in the field and what TIMAC AGRO represents in Belgium and to other subsidiaries in Europe. From the outset, I was able to take part in the subsidiary’s strategy and understand how it works from the inside. I’ve always wanted to occupy a position of responsibility with a P&L to defend. This is the case today. The track record is therefore very positive as I’m reaching my full potential due to this experience.

What are the next challenges you are going to take up?
In a few months, I’ll have the immense opportunity to support development in two countries, Latvia and Lithuania, as Zone Leader. This new responsibility is an exciting challenge for me and I can’t wait to meet it. Once again, this attests to the dynamism of TIMAC AGRO and the impact of the IBL Program.

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Thanks to new irrigation technologies and to the sharp increase in investment; Algeria’s Saharan agriculture is booming. In ten years, the average size of farms in this region has grown from 5 to 100 hectares. Thanks to our TIMAC AGRO Algeria TSAs, growing wheat, maize and watermelons in the desert is no longer just a mirage!

Our area of operation: 20,000 ha of crops

Our TIMAC AGRO Algeria TSAs work in a zone covering 12,000 ha of hard wheat, 5000 ha of silage maize and 3000 ha of watermelons. The intensive crops, where our techniques, products and fertigation plans are applied, have achieved convincing results. The advice of our TSAs on the cultivation of watermelons guarantees the quality and sustainability of the fruit.

The farmers particularly appreciate a reduction in losses while the fruit are stored in cold rooms and transported to the commercial areas in the north of the country.

“We rigorously plan our trips; in the Algerian South, great distances separate the farms. We want to be available to effectively monitor the crops because in the desert the same plots can produce two harvests per year! After a first harvest of hard wheat, we provide support for a second sowing of summer silage maize to be harvested in November.”
Bachir Zahouani, TSA in the Ghardaïa and Ouargla regions of Algeria

Sand, water and biostimulants

Our local TSAs are familiar with the austerity of the desert: the (sandy) soil is a simple substrate for the crops. This makes biostimulants indispensable in the hostile climate of this region (high temperatures in summer/winter frosts). All the plant’s nutrients have to be added, either into the soil with solid fertilisers, or via fertigation, with hydrosoluble fertilisers.

Our TSAs advise the farmers to add up to 5 different applications of biostimulants on silage maize and hard wheat.