Winners announced for the 2024 Nutrien Ag Solutions Hometown Yield Challenge

Nutrien Ag Solutions has announced the winners of its first Hometown Yield Challenge, a program available to growers in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

The top two yielding farming operations were each able to choose a community organization to receive $20,000. Three runners-up were also chosen, and each chose a community organization to receive $5,000.

The winners were part of a group of 47 farming operations that competed for the prize money on behalf of their chosen organizations. As part of the Hometown Yield Challenge, growers were required to plant at least 80 acres of a proven seed hybrid of their choice with phosphorus treated with Atlas XC. Throughout the season, field boundaries were mapped in Echelon, and Loveland Product applications, such as Awaken and Radiate, were applied.

“Thank you to all the growers who took part in our first-ever Hometown Yield Challenge. The success of this program is rooted in your support and participation, so we thank you for your time and for joining us on this new adventure,” stated Jesse Hamonic, Vice President and Country Head, of Nutrien Ag Solutions Canada.

The two Nutrien Ag Solutions Hometown Yield Challenge grand prize winners, who each chose a community organization to receive $20,000, are:
•    Hofmann Brothers Investments:
o    Chosen Community Organization: Muenster Community Centre;
o    Division: North Saskatchewan;
o    Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant: Marcel Simpson, Manager of the Humboldt, Saskatchewan branch
•    Chris Mclean:
o    Chosen Community Organization: Kitscoty Community Meals;
o    Division: North Alberta
o    Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant: Jana Sen, Sales Agronomist III for the Vermilion, Alberta location

The three Hometown Yield Challenge runners-up, who chose community organizations to receive $5,000 each, are:
•    Garry Nykyforak:
o    Chosen Community Project: Roblin Playground Revitalization Project;
o    Division: South Saskatchewan;
o    Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant: Carley Zimmer, Manager of the Roblin, Manitoba branch
•    Brent Gillis:
o    Chosen Community Organization: Baldur School;
o    Division: Manitoba;
o    Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant: Steven Jones, Sales Agronomist II for the Holland, Manitoba location
•    Lawrence Vogel:
o    Chosen Community Project: Palliser Schools Lunch Program;
o    Division: South Alberta;
o    Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant: Brad Essar, Branch Manager for the Iron Springs, Alberta location

“Supporting rural Canadian communities is something that I am very passionate about. These communities serve as a backbone to the Canadian ag industry, and it’s our duty to make sure these are places where folks can thrive and have safe, accessible, and valuable resources available for youth, health, and overall wellness,” explained Hamonic.

Nutrien Ag Solutions offers a wide range of products and services to support the agricultural sector. Key offerings include:

• Agronomy: They provide expert advice and solutions to help manage crop production and maximize yields.
• Seed: They offer custom seed solutions with varieties and traits designed for local conditions.
• Nutrition: They improve plant and soil health with performance-driven inputs to optimize returns.
• Protection: They create customized crop protection plans to mitigate risks and protect yields.
• Financial Services: They provide capital management strategies tailored to crop plans and budget objectives.
• Sustainability: They establish sustainable practices to maintain farm economics.
• Precision Agriculture: Their Echelon platform offers industry-leading prescriptions, analysis, and decision management tools.
• Field Services: They offer soil sampling, tissue sampling, field scouting, and application services to ensure optimal crop performance.