Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and Northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products.
Eutrophication of water bodies through the leaching of nutrients from arable land is one of the key environmental issues in agriculture. Contamination by heavy metals in different fertilisers and broken cycles for phosphorus and other essential nutrients are additional challenges to be dealt with.
Phosphorus is a finite resource
Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for all crops and at the same time is a finite and costly resource. Phosphorus is currently extracted from the earth's crust in several locations in the world, and is added as a mineral fertiliser in agriculture. The fact that phosphorus reserves will come to an end, and that they are often contaminated with unwanted substances such as cadmium and other heavy metals are important reasons for creating an effective cycle for plant nutrients. Lantmännen is a major supplier of nutrients and fertilisers. Lantmännen's responsibility from field to fork encompasses providing good products and contributing to sustainable use of plant nutrients.
Lantmännen take responsibility in the cultivation stage
Lantmännen is working actively to ensure that the use of plant nutrients does not result in nutrient leaching into water bodies, and to close the nutrient cycle. Taking responsibility at the cultivation stage involves several aspects that Lantmännen is able to influence and control to varying degrees. Where the decision lies with the grower, Lantmännen contributes with knowledge, services and advice on sustainable use of plant nutrients.
Development of concepts for biofertiliser for both conventional and organic farming
Interest in organic fertiliser has increased. Organic fertiliser comes from different sources, such as residues from stables, biogas production and food production, and contains nutrients that can be recycled through agriculture.
Precision agriculture
Tailoring fertiliser to actual needs as far as possible saves money and protects the environment. Lantmännen offers both advisory services and products for precision agriculture and optimised fertilisation.
Web-based tools for cultivation planning and weather-based models for growth, irrigation and crop protection.
Fertilizer with reduced climate impact
Today, mineral fertilizer is the most commonly used nutrient in agriculture. The production of mineral fertilizer has a significant climate impact. With "Best Available Technology", BAT, the production of mineral fertilizer is purified from nitrous oxide, which reduces the climate impact. Already today, BAT fertilizer is used in Lantmännen's cultivation programme Climate & Nature.
Fossil free mineral fertilizer
Lantmännen aims to enable the world's first fossil-free food value chain. Yara and Lantmännen have signed an agreement for the development and launch of fossil-free mineral fertilizers. It will be produced with renewable energy, thereby reducing the climate impact from grain cultivation by 20 percent. Instead of using fossil fuels, such as natural gas, to produce ammonia - the basis for mineral fertilizers - the fertilizer will be produced with green ammonia from hydrolysis based on renewable energy from Europe.
Cadmium in mineral fertilisers
Lantmännen is working for minimal cadmium levels in phosphorus fertiliser. Lantmännen has been analysing cadmium levels for a long time and informs customers about cadmium content in all phosphorus plant nutrient products.
Learn more on Important Issue Cadmium.