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See the latest news, innovation updates, trial results, grower stories and more from Agricen. 
October 16, 2025 — Posted By Agricen

Jim Engelsma NASAgricen’s Steve Sexton recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jim Engelsma, who was named American Fruit Growers 2025 Apple Grower of the Year. In addition to being an apple grower, Jim is also the branch manager for Nutrien Ag Solutions in Sparta, Michigan. Here we delve into his philosophy, family history and the cutting-edge practices that set his operations apart.

Steve: Jim, congratulations on being named the 2025 Apple Grower of the Year. Tell me, what does this mean to you?

Jim: Thank you. I'm very proud to represent the apple industry with this honor. I enjoy testing things on my own small farm that might be “outside of the box,” but have the potential to really increase yields or increase quality. I’ve also worked hard over the years to provide growers with solutions that make a difference in the quality of their crop and provide economic returns. I enjoy that work immensely, and I'm excited about going to work every day. The excitement comes from helping growers and knowing there always be will be new and better ways to grow fruit.

Steve: Can you talk about your family history and your approach to apple farming?

Jim: My grandfather immigrated here and started a dairy cattle business in this area. It was my father who was the first one to venture into apples, and that was back in the 1950s.

When I came of age, I realized how much I enjoyed growing apples. I took up that tradition, and began to look at ways of making improvements to grow better and more fruit off the same acre. And now my daughter is fully integrated into our apple business. She enjoys it like I do, and she loves to push the limits.

Today, our high-density orchards are producing a high number of bushels per acre. To achieve that, we’re using every tool in the box. We micromanage nutrition and use things that an ordinary grower might raise an eyebrow at, but we've got a proven track record and we're always taking it to the next level.

Steve: You also embrace new technologies like biocatalysts. How have these methods given you a competitive edge?

Jim: Some of the best-growing fruit trees have weak root systems. The challenge is getting them to grow before we begin to fruit them, so that the tree has a good scaffold and the orchard can continuously produce high yields. So we push the envelope and we use every tool at our disposal, including incorporating products like ACCOMPLISH, BLACKMAX 22 and BLACK LABEL ZN in our drip tube fertigation system, fully applying nutrients when the trees are young and using grid sampling so that we can apply metered nutrition per the needs of the acre.

When our trees are growing, we apply foliar nutrition every seven to 10 days to give the tree what it needs, when it needs it. We also use a lot of MARITIME and TERRAMAR on our farm. While these may be considered a bit outside of the box for a traditional apple grower, we’ve had very good results.

Steve: What role do MARITIME and TERRAMAR play in your orchard management?

Jim: MARITIME has been a real workhorse for us. This year, we made three MARITIME applications in our orchard due to drought. It serves a dual purpose: Enhancing fruit color when combined with LOKOMOTIVE and LI-700, and also bolstering the trees’ ability to endure the drought.

TERRAMAR is a little newer to our farm than MARITIME. Most of the TERRAMAR is applied through the drip line, but we also make foliar applications because the carbon component in TERRAMAR promotes nutrient uptake. Oftentimes, when we look at what we need in the drip line, something similar is needed in the foliar, so we hit it from both sides.

Our approach using these technologies isn’t guesswork; we're supporting the trees the way they need to be supported. I believe the TERRAMAR and MARITIME will make a big difference in next year's crop, too, as the drought we had this year could hurt return bloom for growers who didn’t use these tools.

Steve: Do you have a specific example of how these products have led to a tangible improvement in your apple crop?

Engelsma OrchardJim: In years when we have overcast skies or more heat coming into harvest season, we see a definite improvement in color with MARITIME, which we apply with LOKOMOTIVE and LI-700. The color is very obvious, and it lets us harvest at the right time, when the fruit is mature, rather than waiting for color and picking the fruit when it's past optimal maturity. We've also seen that using MARITIME early in the spring can help the trees endure colder temperatures. Several years ago, we had a night with a temperature of 14.7°F. According to the university charts, we should have lost 90% of our crop, but instead we ended up having a big crop of fruit due to our program. So there are definite, tangible results, and I've seen it on other farms as well.

Steve: What advice would you offer growers who are considering MARITIME or TERRAMAR?

Jim: Revenue is the bottom line for any grower, and they obviously need to consider the cost of adding a new product. But they also need to consider the cost of having a crop versus not having a crop. The upfront cost for MARITIME or TERRAMAR is a small percentage of the total investment. For a tree that costs $10-$12, you can make it grow for less than 12 cents. Getting these products out at the proper timing can make the difference between having a high-quality crop—or even just having a crop—and having a failure.

Steve: Have you calculated the return on investment from TERRAMAR and MARITIME?

Jim: I haven't calculated it exactly, but it would be huge. If there’s a drought, but my trees don't suffer from it and I’m able to harvest a good crop because I’ve put out MARITIME, that’s one way I’m getting a return on investment. Come the following spring, when my trees have a strong start because they didn’t suffer from that prior drought, that’s another. You have to look beyond the immediate crop.

Larger growers especially like to look closely at the economics of their program. I'll tell you right now that our largest growers are some of the biggest proponents of these products because they've seen the results.

Steve: What do you see as the most pressing challenges facing apple growers?

Jim: A lot of the costs in our industry, including labor and chemistry, are going up, and I believe there will be a higher cost to production as we move forward. We’ll have to focus on consistently raising more bushels per acre while also producing higher quality crops to increase our return on investment. That means we must use every tool available to not just promote yield and quality in this year’s crop, but also to set next year’s crop up for success.

Steve: What advice would you would pass on?

Jim: We should always be learning so that tomorrow’s crop is better than today and, as we learn, we need to share our experiences with the younger generation to help them grow along with the industry.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

Learn more about MARITIME by downloading the MARITIME Product Booklet.

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April 15, 2024 — Posted By Agricen

More than three dozen farmers in the 2023 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Corn Yield Contest used Agricen's biocatalyst technologies in their winning programs. They include four farmers who took top places at the national level and 34 who took top places in their states. 🏆

NCGA_social-2023

The winning growers used one or more of the following products in their corn fertility programs: Accomplish MAX, Ensurgo, Extract PBA, Levitate, Maritime, Prologue, Terramar and Titan XC. All of these products are exclusively available from our partner, Loveland Products, through Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Corn Yield Winners

The 2023 national corn yield winners again included Virginia farmer Heath Cutrell, who earned first place in the "Conventional Non-Irrigated" category (396.12 bu/a yield). You can learn more about Heath in our short video, Striving for Record Corn Yields.

Other national winners who used Agricen's technology were:

  • Maryland farmer Temple Rhodes, winner of the "Conventional Irrigated" category (375.67 bu/a yield)

  • Ohio's Corey Farrens, winner of the "Conventional Non-Irrigated - Corn Belt States" category (340.46 bu/a yield)

  • New Jersey's Scott Truszkowski, who earned second place nationally in the "Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Non-Irrigated" category (323.75 bu/a yield)

We are proud to be a part of these growers' winning programs and wish them the best of luck as we begin the 2024 growing season.

Learn more about some of the technologies used in the winning programs by downloading the Sustainable Technology Overview.

Download the Overview

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May 1, 2023 — Posted By Agricen

In the NCGA's 2022 National Corn Yield Contest, nearly three dozen winners used Agricen's biocatalyst technologies in their winning programs. They include four farmers who took top places at the national level and 31 who took top places in their states. 🏆

NCGA_social-2022 (1)

The winning growers used one or more of the following products in their corn fertility programs: Accomplish MAXExtract PBALevitate, Maritime, Terramar and Titan XC. All of these products are available from our partner, Loveland Products, through Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Corn Yield Winners

National corn yield winners include Virginia farmer Heath Cutrell, who, with a yield of 394.05 bu/acre, earned first place in the "Conventional Non-Irrigated" category. His yield was also the highest overall corn yield in this year's contest. Heath was previously featured in Agricen's Last Stand film.

Other national winners who used Agricen's technology include Chad Henderson of Alabama, who placed second nationally in the "Conventional Irrigated" category with a yield of 333.04 bu/acre, and Temple Rhodes of Maryland, who took third place in the nation in the "Strip, Min, Mulch, Ridge-Till Irrigated" category with a yield of 344.94 bu/acre. 

Soybean Yield Winners

Agricen's biocatalyst technologies were also a part of several winning soybean programs. The top place winner of the Pennsylvania Soybean Yield Contest and two first place winners of the Michigan Soybean Association Yield Contest all used at least one of Agricen's technologies in their soybean fertility programs:

  • A. Dale Herr, Jr., 1st Place, Overall & South Central Region, Pennsylvania - 97.49 bu/acre
  • Don Stall, 1st Place, Overall & Late-Maturity, Michigan - 98.88 bu/acre
  • Jim Schaendorf, 1st Place, Mid-Maturity Non-Irrigated, Michigan - 89.40 bu/acre 

We are proud to be part of all of these growers' winning programs and wish them the best of luck this season.

Learn more about the technologies used in the winning programs by downloading the Sustainable Technology Overview.

Download the Overview

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August 18, 2022 — Posted By Agricen

Sugar beetSugar beets are a major source of the world's sugar, and the higher the sugar yield and concentration per plant, the better. In a replicated trial, researchers evaluated the ability of MARITIME to improve sugar concentration in beets when applied to the crop a few weeks before harvest. A kelp-based product, MARITIME is designed to provide plant health benefits such as improved nutrient uptake and greater ability to tolerate abiotic stress.

Conducted during the 2021 growing season in Brown City, Michigan, the on-farm trial was overseen by Sugarbeet Advancement, a partnership between Michigan State University, Michigan Sugar Company, sugar beet producers, and agribusiness.

MARITIME was applied twice at two different rates toward the end of the growing season. Both were foliar applications made with a leaf spot fungicide. The first application was made in late July at a rate of 2 quarts/acre, with the second application made in late August at 1 quart/acre.

At harvest, there was a significant increase in both recoverable white sugar per ton (RWST, 7 reps) and percent sugar (5 reps) in sugar beets that received the MARITIME application compared to beets that were not treated with MARITIME (p <0.05 for both measurements).

sugar beets - maritime

The sugar beets (variety C-G675) had been planted in early April in loamy soil. The previous crop had been corn, which was plowed. After freezing temperatures early and a dry spring, there was good weather for the remainder of the growing season. Harvest was in late September.

The fertilizer program in this trial was 200 pounds/acre of potash applied in the fall, 300 pounds/acre of 33-0-0 applied pre-plant, and 10 gallons/acre each of 10-34-0 and UAN 28% with 2 qts/acre of manganese and 1 qt/acre of boron applied 2x2.

Learn more about Maritime by downloading the MARITIME booklet.

Download the Booklet

 

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March 22, 2022 — Posted By Agricen

With the recent conclusion of the awards ceremony for winners of the NCGA National Corn Yield Contest at Commodity Classic, we wanted to take the time to congratulate all of the 2021 contest winners, with special thanks and recognition to those who used Agricen's biocatalyst technology in their winning programs.

In 2021, five farmers who came in top place nationally and 23 who won an award in their state incorporated one or more of the following products in their programs: Accomplish LM, Extract PBA, Levitate, Prologue, Maritime, and Titan XC.

NCGA_social-2021

National winners included Michigan farmer Don Stall, who took first place in the "Conventional Irrigated" category with a corn yield of 465.77 bushels per acre, and Virginia farmer Heath Cutrell, who took first place in the "Conventional Non-Irrigated" category with a yield of 391.31 bushels per acre. Both growers may be familiar to you from our Last Stand feature-length film and related short films.

All of the Agricen technologies used in the winning programs are available from our partner, Loveland Products, through Nutrien Ag Solutions.

We are very proud to be part of these growers' winning corn nutrition programs and wish them all the best this season.

Learn more about some of the winning growers who use our technologies by watching Last Stand

Watch Last Stand

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February 15, 2022 — Posted By Agricen

The Future Faster PodcastAs growers start crop planning for the upcoming season, where do fertilizer enhancers fit in? 

In a recent episode of Nutrien Ag Solutions' "The Future. Faster." podcast, Agricen's Dr. Brian Cornelious discusses where different fertility enhancement products—specifically ACCOMPLISH MAX, EXTRACT PBA, MARITIME, PROLOGUE, and TITAN XC—fit into growers' programs to help them more strategically manage their inputs.

"A lot of the Agricen products are very focused on nutrient efficiency and nutrient availability. And then, of course, we've got other products that focus on stress mitigation," says Brian.

One of the newer products developed by Agricen and available through Nutrien Ag Solutions is ACCOMPLISH MAX for liquid starter fertilizer enhancement. ACCOMPLISH MAX can help crops better tolerate the effects of environmental stress, while also improving nutrient availability in the soil and uptake by the plant—with the ultimate goal of a healthy, high-yielding crop. 

"If a grower is using an in-furrow or 2x2 application of liquid fertilizer, all he's got to do is bolt that ACCOMPLISH MAX technology into that application," Brian says. "One of the things we do at Agricen is we try to be tuned into the grower environment. If we're coming out with a solution, we'd like for it to be a solution that a grower is actually going to implement. We also want it to fit something the grower's already doing."

TITAN XC is another easy fit into a grower's existing fertility program. This popular product is specifically designed for application on dry fertilizer blends to increase fertilizer efficiency.

"TITAN XC is designed to break down dry fertilizer to make the fertilizer more available to the crop faster," he says. "Because what we often see is that dry fertilizer is not that efficient. So the TITAN XC helps with the accelerated breakdown and increased availability of nutrients in those dry blends."

Brian also gets into the details on EXTRACT, PROLOGUE, and MARITIME. EXTRACT is designed to help free up nutrition that may be bound in the soil profile and not available to the crop. PROLOGUE helps to increase phosphorus availability while also serving as a zinc source. MARITIME is a solution of biologically extracted kelp that can help crops better tolerate stress. The technology in MARITIME is also found in ACCOMPLISH MAX.

"With EXTRACT, we can do a broadcast application across a manured field, or we can do it with a weed and feed. There are also sidedress opportunities," Brian says. "PROLOGUE is generally designed to go in-furrow with a starter blend, whether it's 10-34-0 or an ortho blend, where zinc is needed in that system. MARITIME can be applied as a foliar spray, or that same technology can be used in a starter application in the form of ACCOMPLISH MAX. It does a very good job of allowing plants to manage stress."

You can listen to the full podcast here.

Listen to the Podcast

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April 6, 2020 — Posted By Agricen

Maritime Educator ImageMARITIME® improves nutrient uptake and plant functioning to give growers unmatched seed germination, plant growth, nutrient uptake and resistance to abiotic stress. It can be used to enhance crop growth and performance both under positive growing conditions and under stress conditions from environmental factors such as drought, heat or salinity.

The MARITIME products booklet covers:

  • Product benefits
  • How MARITIME works
  • Trial results in specialty crops, including lettuce, peppers, and celery
  • Uses and rates

What is MARITIME?

MARITIME is a highly soluble solution of biologically converted kelp that can be used by growers to augment a balanced crop nutrition system. MARITIME stimulates soil microbiota, improves plant growth, and reduces crop stress for better crop quality and yield.

MARITIME is OMRI listed and is a WSDA Organic Registered Input Material

Learn more about MARITIME kelp technology for agriculture by downloading the digital booklet.

Access the Maritime Booklet

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February 24, 2020 — Posted By Agricen

01-20-Kelp-webinar-landing-page-publicOur recent webinar, "Overcoming Crop Stress and Improving Crop Quality with Kelp Science Innovations," is now available to watch online.

During the on-demand webinar, you'll learn about:

  • The role of kelp technologies in agricultural production
  • New, biological methods of kelp extraction and how they have advanced kelp science
  • A new kelp technology, Maritime®, and how it can help improve crop quality and increase abiotic stress tolerance

You'll also see recent trial work in a variety of specialty crops, which shows how Maritime performs in field conditions.

Watch this on-demand webinar today to learn about new kelp science innovations and the kelp technology in Maritime.

Watch the Webinar

 

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