GROWING SMARTER Newsletter sign-up!

Click here to receive Growing Smarter by mail or download past issues.

UPDATES

  • 01/20/12 | Growing Smarter Issue No. 31

    Click here to access our Resources Page, where you can download the latest issue of Growing Smarter.
  • 01/20/12 | Latest Compton's Corner

    Visit our Compton's Corner Page to view Jimmy Compton's most current article from Growing Smarter.
  • 01/20/12 | Testimonial Page Updated

    Visit our Customer Testimonials Page to see what our customers have to say about us!

Read the lastest letters from Jim Compton, Jr., President of Fertizona & Compton Ag Services

Here are the last five Compton's Corner articles:

To read more, click here to view all issues of Growing Smarter.
"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails." - Bertha Calloway, American civil-rights activist
Issue No. 31, February 2012

The current European economic crisis seems to be a world away, so much so that many US growers think that what is happening in Europe has absolutely nothing to do with them. However, it’s important to realize that what we’re dealing with is a global market.

The total output of the European Gross Domestic Product (GDP) makes up 26 percent of the entire world’s GDP. To put that in perspective, the US makes up 21.5 percent with China trailing far behind at 10 percent. When significant regions are put under financial stress, demand drops, resulting in such a degree of uncertainty; in these cases, commodities are typically the first to feel the stress.

So with the futures market under pressure to sell, naturally market prices will go down. As market prices go down, bullish futures will succumb to minimize losses in selling. More selling equals lower commodity prices.

What does that all mean?

Logically, if commodity prices are lowering this affects other commodities such as Ag inputs like fertilizer, lending a great deal of uncertainty to what your inputs will be when the time comes to plant.

There are two main things to consider when uncertainty exists in the marketplace – firstly, what happens globally, affects you locally. Our job at Fertizona is to monitor that and to give you an informed decision at the time of planting, what is the best route for you to go.

And secondly, we have gone through these types of situations before and have successfully navigated through them. As always, Fertizona and Compton Ag Services will always be there with you throughout the 2012 growing season to best serve your needs. – Jim Compton

There are a lot of things we do in the Agricultural industry that go completely unnoticed. Being good stewards of our industry entails responsibilities that most people don’t see, such as the regulations that are required in a business like Ag.
Issue No. 30, October 2011

In fact, Agriculture is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world.

We view this not as a burden, but as a responsibility to maintain a healthy business environment for our customers and employees, as well as the general public.

Fertizona takes on many responsibilities. One of which is being a first line of defense for regulations, so you don’t have to. Those include such regulations as environmental quality, transportation safety, chemical safety, and even Homeland Security. There are many instances where we are asked to be vigilant of suspicious activities that could not only harm the environment but also our wellbeing as a nation.

We do all these things not only to be good citizens in our communities but also to provide you a service so you don’t have to think about it. We do them on a daily basis, with every employee working to have safety, environmental responsibility, and accountability in mind. We understand that these are things most people take for granted.

This is probably something you’re not thinking about, and if you’re not thinking about it, then we’ve successfully done our job for you. – Jim Compton

Making the most of what we can control
Issue No. 29, July 2011

In recent months, various parts of the US have been reeling from severe droughts, flooding and other natural disasters. Many farmers in the affected regions are wondering if they can even plant a crop this year, and that level of growers’ uncertainty has led to wild swings in the commodity markets. We here in the Southwest seem to have been blessed with mild weather. Perfect? Not really, but not so bad either. Things could definitely be worse.

Aside from the weather, there are always issues to overcome with any planting season, and many of them are out of our control. However, there are also some big challenges that we can help alleviate — including your supply concerns.

Supply and pricing are ongoing problems for any business to contend with, but we at Fertizona, along with our nationwide associates at Independent Agribusiness Professionals, have been working diligently these past months to make sure your supply is not interrupted. Fertizona has strong relationships with the same top suppliers we’ve worked with for years, and that gives us unique abilities to level out those peaks and valleys. At Fertizona we also try to minimize your supply risks by thinking in advance — forecasting; prebuying and supply placement. We take all of these extra steps for you, so you don’t have to.

The bottom line is that high commodity prices look favorable for many growers in the Southwest. We should thank our lucky stars for the good fortune to live in such a great place.

Fertizona and Compton Ag services want to support your ongoing success, and we look forward to serving your growing needs this summer season. – Jim Compton

“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises. He is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider in our business. He is part of it. We are not doing him a favor by serving him. He is doing us a favor by giving us an opportunity to do so.”
Issue No. 28, February 2011
Mr. Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a manufacturer of crop protection chemicals in India, is attributed to this declaration of customer commitment.

At Fertizona, this statement rings true today because our customers are our most valuable assets. We realize that Fertizona is successful today because of our customers. We appreciate each and every one of you and we feel honored to partner with you.

Your success is important to us and we will continue to provide you with the exceptional service and quality products that you’ve come to expect from Fertizona. – Jim Compton

Thank You for 30 Great Years
Issue No. 27, November 2010

As 2010 moves along, cotton season is nearly over and we’re progressing into fall produce and grain and peak golf season. The year has passed quickly.

Earlier this year, Fertizona celebrated its 30th anniversary. A lot has happened since an unknown 27-year old from Buckeye came to Casa Grande in hopes of starting a business. From that time, Fertizona has been with you through thick and thin. Thank you for allowing us to do so.

We opened our doors in May 1980 and, over the years, we’ve expanded in order to better serve Southwestern agriculture. And, with the growing golf and turf markets, Fertizona has evolved to become a trusted source of inputs for the turf industry as well.

I believe our experienced staff, expansive storage, ability to procure products and our partnerships with IAP and PrimeraTurf® set us apart from others in the industry. We feel this difference allows us to provide you with better value.

Although we don’t know what the next 30 years have in store for the Southwest, everybody at Fertizona and Compton Ag Services looks forward to providing you, our customers, with superior service and a proven supply. We strive to continue to be a successful and trusted partner. – Jim Compton


© 2011 Fertizona. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 800.782.3266