Glacier FarmMedia – WestMET Group, the Prairie provider of the humic product Humalite, is acquiring fellow Alberta company Black Earth.
The companies say the acquisition will bring streamlined production, continued sustainability and reliable quality of humic products, according to an early January announcement.
Both companies have developed niches in the area of humic products for agriculture, aquaculture, animal feed, turf and industrial applications.
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Humic acid is a naturally occurring substance, high in organic mater and derived from the decomposed remains of plants and animals. It is mined in Alberta and marketed as a bio-stimulant.
Bacteria, fungi, protozoa, earthworms and insects feed on the decaying matter, creating a cycle of further decomposition. When it’s exposed to oxygen, it becomes humus, a mix of humic acid, fulvic acid and humin.
In agriculture, promises associated with humic products include the enhancement of soil and crop productivity: building better plant root systems, growing biomass, improving nutrient uptake and contributing to higher crop yield and quality.
Recent research from the University of Alberta suggested that those promises have scientific backing. Results found that Humalite, the granular form of humic acid, can improve nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium availability by keeping those minerals in the soil for longer periods of time, as well as increasing plant uptake.
The enhancement of fertilizer efficiency could reduce synthetic fertilizer applications and thus save producers money in the long run, researchers said.
Last year, a representative from Top Krop, which distributes Humalite, said producers using the product have typically seen significant improvements after two or three years of application.
Gains are highly dependant on growing conditions and crop type.
After the deal, WestMET will have access to Black Earth’s Alberta manufacturing facilities in Ryley and Halkirk. This will enable vertical integration of operations for WestMET and increase process efficiency, the company says.
“Joining forces with Black Earth allows us to offer a seamless experience for our customers while leveraging the strengths of both teams, ”David Wittekind, WestMET Group’s director of business development, said in a new release.
— With files from Jeff Melchior and Ron Lyseng
