Russia Potash for U.S.?, Lubricant from Soybeans

The U.S. could soon have another source of potash as the Trump administration works on a potential deal with Belarus. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is negotiating a massive deal to purchase Belarusian potash at a price significantly below current Canadian supplies. Canada currently accounts for about 80% of the potash imported by the U.S. but there are questions about whether Belarus can deliver the savings being promised. Belarus is landlocked, meaning a fertilizer would face a complicated route through Russia before reaching the U.S. And sanctions and the loss of Belarus's traditional export route through Lithuania could add even more transportation costs for farmers. The deal could eventually mean another source of potash, but the volume available and the final cost remain uncertain.

Director of market development with the Illinois Soybean Association, Todd Mann, says they are always looking for new and innovative ways to utilize soybeans. He talks about a new lubricant product that is currently in the development phase.

“It's a number two grease comes in a tube, and what we can do is do that. So we've manufactured a bunch of this, and we are now testing this with our members and farmers out in the field this fall for harvest. We produced about 3000 pounds of it, and we're letting our folks try it out for development. And then, if it goes well, and we think it will. Then we're going to see if we can develop it commercially,” and new products equate to increased demand.