New eco-friendly ammonia fertilizer is tested in Iowa

North America’s first locally produced commercial-grade green ammonia fertilizer is undergoing testing on farmland in Boone, Iowa. The effort will be a key step in evaluating whether green ammonia can be a cost-competitive and reliable fertilizer supply for U.S. growers.

Anhydrous ammonia is a well-recognize important nitrogen fertilizer, prized for its high nitrogen content and cost-efficiency — making it especially effective for boosting corn yields. “Green ammonia” is chemically identical to conventional anhydrous ammonia, but it’s produced using on-site solar power, air, and water.

This locally based production model — being done by Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, and Talusag, an agricultural technology and energy infrastructure company — aims to give farmers more control over costs and reduces dependence on high cost global suppliers.

“This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative problem solving rural communities need,” said Sam Caton, Interim CEO and EVP of Sales at Landus. “By producing fertilizer locally, we’re giving farmers more control and reducing exposure to supply disruptions. Boone is setting the standard for what’s possible when tech, infrastructure, and agriculture align.”

The Boone site is just the beginning. A larger, 20-ton-per-day green ammonia facility is currently under construction in Eagle Grove, Iowa, signaling a commitment to scaling this model in rural communities.

Planting began the week of April 14, making it the first corn crop in the U.S. that will be grown with American-made, green ammonia. This test plot will be monitored throughout the 2025 growing season for agronomic performance against control strips using anhydrous ammonia. Landus and Talusag will host field days to showcase the development of the test.

“By producing this essential fertilizer input at locally distributed sites, we are directly supporting Iowa farmers and ensuring they have reliable access to what they need for their crops, regardless of global market conditions,” said Hiro Iwanaga, co-founder and CEO of Talusag, which deploys and operates the only commercial, modular green ammonia production systems in the U.S.