Milorganite testing new formulations

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - In an effort to expand its presence in the golf course marketplace, Milorganite is working on its first new product in 75 years.

The product, which is going by the working name of Komplete, will provide superintendents with an organic fertilizer blend that offers faster green up and improved disease and stress resistance.

"The idea is to look at markets that we are not very strong in and go after those," said Mike Archer, market development and research coordinator. "Golf fairways is one of those areas. Our traditional product is used on greens and tees, but is too expensive in most cases for use on fairways. Plus it doesn't have potash and is not fast acting enough."

A MORE COMPLETE PRODUCT

Archer said Komplete will still be a natural product, but will add potash and a faster-release nitrogen to offer a more complete solution for superintendents. His team is now working on different formulations including a nitrogen-rich 16-1-9; a stress focused 10-1-10; and a more balanced 5-1-5. Archer is experimenting with different nitrogen sources such as urea and ammonium sulfate, nutralene and UMAXX.

"We are conducting research at Purdue University, University of Wisconsin and University of Florida," Archer noted. "We are not locked into these formulations, we are still looking for feedback and will fine tune these as we go."

Milorganite will be doing test marketing of the product next year and will get 1,500 tons of the different Komplete formulations in the hands of superintendents. Contract manufacturers will produce the new line.

Archer does not see the new product as a replacement for the 50,000 tons of traditional Milorganite fertilizer that it makes each year.

"We feel like we have a good customer base for the traditional product. It is a good safe product and causes no salt build up," said Archer. "The new product will be advanced but will have a salt index and will not be as safe to use in high stress or low moisture conditions."

Because Milorganite is a part of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, it has to take any new product development slowly.

"We are both private and public," said Archer. "We have to deal with some rules and regulations as far as funding is concerned. It is slower, but then we are also less prone to make errors by moving too fast.

"The commission that runs the district is aware of what we are doing and has to give their stamp of approval on this project, similar to a board of directors at a private company," he added.

Once the product studies and test marketing are completed next year, Milorganite will make the final decision regarding Komplete. Archer, however, is bullish on the potential for the product.

"It is a good market and one that has not been tested yet," he said. "Companies like Harmony, Nature Safe, and Earthworks have tested the market, and it is ready."

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