Collaborate for Strong Yields & Sustainability

Collaborate for better agriculture

At Kannar Earth Science, Ltd. we wholeheartedly believe farmers can choose both stronger yields and sustainability. In fact, promoting on-farm productivity alongside environmental sustainability is why we created Kannar’s 4F Crop Security Program – where we collaborate to bring better crop inputs to the growers who produce the globe’s Food, Feed, Fiber, and Fuel.

It’s truly incredible how modernized, large-acre agriculture successfully promotes harvesting crop yields close to the seed’s genetic yield potential. We appreciate the contribution of specialized equipment, target-specific pesticides, fertilizers, and other crop inputs. Oftentimes, however, impressive yields are achieved at the expense of the very environment the crops are cultivated in. We are aiming to change that!

Persistence Pays Off

Our journey to better agriculture gained momentum when we saw the results of our first bionematicide in action. Then, through perseverance, we were able to demonstrate the remarkable efficacy and consistency of a truly sustainable alternative to harsh and highly toxic chemistry. With that initial on-farm success, our belief was bolstered that stronger yields and sustainability could and should align. Because agricultural breakthroughs like this are so rare, we were determined to bring even more innovations like this to growers.

Armed with drive and dedication, we went searching for additional bio-beneficial options. We were fortunate to innovate several new technologies in-house. We’re excited to have now developed several patent pending technologies to replace or work alongside traditional chemistries.

We have several natural biopesticides that are as efficacious as conventional chemistry, especially where chemical resistance is a concern. We developed seed safener technology that reduces the phytotoxic damage of various conventional pesticides and protects the seed from abiotic stresses.

Technological game-changers are just the start

These new products and discoveries are exciting but only the beginning of the positive impact to be made on the agriculture industry. Our 4F Crop Security Program is an umbrella program where multiple innovators from various companies collaborate with Kannar in the early stages of a product’s development.

With our 4F Crop Security Program, we invite other innovators to partner with us to develop and commercialize highly effective and environmentally sound technologies. Innovators will be glad to know that several multinationals have requested Kannar to aid in bringing needed improvements on early-stage technologies from less experienced, yet visionary, companies.

We know that we cannot invent everything. It is in this spirit of humility that we invite collaborators to further develop and optimize innovations with Kannar. Together, we work towards and position improvements for global commercialization. The 4F Crop Security Program is designed to continually bring incremental positive changes to agriculture. Though each change may seem small, when applied over millions of acres globally it significantly improves our soil and environment.

Promoting environmental stewardship while working towards crops’ genetic yield potential won’t happen overnight. However, thanks to partnerships like the 4F Crop Security Program, a more sustainable future is entirely achievable.

Kannar exists to promote ideal agriculture through designing and manufacturing innovative seed coatings, synergistic fertilizer technology, and related crop inputs. We continually strive to find economical and practical ways to bring successful technology to growers.

Modified from June 2022 SeedWorld Magazine article

Agricultural Silos: Innovation & Production

Sam Cloete, Kannar Earth Science CEO

When Kannar Earth Science, Ltd. was a flicker of an idea in my head, I noticed a big problem with agricultural innovation, especially in the chemical and seed treatment arenas. Innovation and production functioned in completely different silos. The companies that innovated didn’t really understand the complexities, challenges, or opportunities of large-scale production. The companies that commercialized were limited by ‘doing rather than dreaming.’

That disconnect between big ideas of innovation and realities of production meant the kind of big and necessary ideas that push agriculture forward were stifled and stalled, or maybe never even dreamed up at all.

I decided to start Kannar because I knew there could be a better way.

Bridging between agricultural silos

The single most common question people ask us at Kannar is: why would an innovation company also have hard assets and do production, too? It’s a reasonable question. After all, companies typically choose to innovate, to produce, or to distribute and commercialize, but never all. Our answer? For an innovation to get off the ground, Kannar must believe in, invest in, and walk it forward from start to success. We know that carrying an innovation from the idea stage to the producers’ doors gives us the whole-system perspective necessary to achieve and deliver industry game-changers.

Selecting silos carefully

Here is the critical thing: because we are responsible for and understand the challenges of every stage from innovation to commercialization, we are incredibly careful about what we choose to pursue. We say ‘no’ far more often than we say ‘yes.’ No when the timing isn’t right; no to almost-but-not-quite-right products; no to companies that ask to partner but aren’t ready or able to add value. When our ‘yes’ comes, it follows saying ‘not yet’ or ‘not good enough’ to dozens of other not right opportunities.

Also, consider most toll manufacturers. Conventional toll manufacturers are happy to produce trainload quantities of product that they can forecast months or a year in advance. However, that requires the product to be at full commercial adoption. Who blends a product in its early stages of development, when it’s just 10 gallons for a sample or 100 gallons for an initial launch? In today’s world, essentially no one. That’s why our full-service, state-of-the-art lab is so critical to the early stages of product development. We can create those tiny volume blends, but we’re also prepared, under the same roof, to scale up production to meet each subsequent step of the development and commercialization process. Though all the initial leg work might seem like we spend a lot of time on the runway, there’s nothing as exciting as helping innovations launch, then watching them fly high!

I’m proud of what we have accomplished at Kannar. I’m more excited about what we will accomplish in the future. We’ve asked a lot of questions. We’ve listened to agriculture stakeholders. We’ve been willing to make mistakes to grow. And now, we’re ready to show that agricultural silos don’t have to exist!

Modified from April 2022 SeedWorld Magazine article

Kannar’s ‘Magic’ Develops Greener, Safer Bionematicide

We’ve all seen the stunted, yellowish, sickly stems and leaves or the galled and decaying roots of crops infested with the soil pests nematodes.

soil pest causes crop leaf to turn brown — Nematode soil pest causes leaf damage

soil pest turns crop roots yellow — Nematode soil pest causes root damage

In North America alone, farmers spend nearly half a billion dollars tackling these tiny but voracious soil pests.

Conventional control methods can be harsh and toxic, but thanks to the unflagging determination of a special team of can-do people, there’s a brand new, ultra-effective, and environmentally friendly discovery! This discovery can be relied on to help minimize nematode damage to most crops. The broad-spectrum bionematicide, now licensed to a multinational for sale to the US market, is a big deal. This low-rate, ‘green’ solution often outperforms conventional options and is effective and complimentary alongside tank-mixed chemistries and other crop inputs, too. The story of how this option came about offers us confidence that almost any challenge can be overcome with critical thinking, perseverance, and the best minds working together.

A unique soil pests treatment story

About a decade ago, newly retired business owner, Tom Johnson, agreed to guide Kannar as we more closely examined some intriguing, but previously unproven, gram positive microbial spores for possible applications in agriculture. We wondered if the spores might have potential application as biopesticides, but we truly had no idea what we were going to discover. With persistent curiosity, we evaluated, tested, and retested our findings. We even analyzed the genomes to understand what the microbes can do and how they do it. Understanding the reason for efficacy and the modes of actions inspired us all. We discovered that the bacteria have nematicidal activity and are fast multipliers. They produce enzymes that break down chitin, the main component of a nematode’s eggshell, juvenile exoskeleton, or adult nematode’s pharynx.

As trials progressed, we realised we had something that not only could control eggs, larva, and adults, it actually destroys them. Even better, it didn’t overload the soil with high application rates or harsh chemicals: it’s an all-natural solution applied at a tiny fraction of the rate (3 fluid ounces can be applied to two units of cotton seed and be planted over as many as 14 acres, compared to conventional chemicals at 16 dry ounces per acre).

And we kept digging deeper, studying how the biopesticide might work in real-world, in-field applications alongside existing chemistries. We tested shelf life, on-seed spore survivability, and crop-specific efficacy.

“I won’t say the effort was easy. We ran into roadblocks right and left. For example, even finding a lab that was able to maintain a stable library of nematode test subjects proved difficult at the time we needed it. What I will say is that the effort was absolutely worthwhile.” – Sam Cloete, Kannar President

What this means for North American farmers

The biopesticide passed all tests with flying colors. Within the next couple of years, North American farmers will have access to an ultra-effective bionematicide that the EPA classifies at its least toxic category rating. This is huge news for an industry striving towards sustainability and, we hope, just the start. We plan to grow our partnerships to bring this product to market in other key agricultural areas, especially Brazil.

Successfully moving a brand-new concept through to global commercialization is no small feat. To make it happen, we depended on what we call Kannar’s ‘magic’. This curiosity and make-it-happen tenacity allow us to overcome obstacles in finding real solutions to real problems; as we innovate for nature, naturally!

Modified from Seed World article, Nov 2021

Kannar Earth Science exists to promote ideal agriculture. We do this through designing and manufacturing innovative seed coatings, synergistic fertilizer technology, and related crop inputs. We also offer blending and distribution services from our 60,000 sf facility. Learn more about our toll manufacturing here.

Passion and tenacity motivate Kannar Earth Science to develop effective, spot-on solutions for customers’ seed treatment challenges

A grower can reasonably expect to have 40 growing seasons to create a legacy and contribute to the financial security of their family and community. Only the bravest of the brave, those willing to work tirelessly, can achieve their goals, says Kannar Earth Science, Ltd., CEO Sam Cloete.

With a passion for helping growers create their financial legacy, Cloete chose seed companies and seed treatment to be Kannar’s route to value creation. To build growers’ legacies, Kannar works through products and technologies backed by data and science related to yield optimization and environmental stewardship. Kannar understands that anytime human efforts produce food, fiber or fuel, production comes at the expense of something.

Maximum Results with Minimal Environmental Impact

“Our passion is to minimize the environmental impact and maximize the utilization of resources. Kannar brings tools and seed-applied technologies to growers through seed companies. We share most growers’ belief that we have a responsibility to leave our resources and our growing environment in a more wholesome condition than how we receive them. We do this by never giving up when looking for simple, effective answers,” says Cloete.

Limited Seed Workspace

Seed treatments are an effective vehicle for delivering crop protection technologies to a grower’s field. A limitation is the amount of space on each seed. The challenge is to optimize that space when considering technologies that help with crop establishment, early-season pathogen protection, and yield enhancement. Kannar must overcome the chemical, physical and biological limitations, not to mention the limits to the actual amount of chemistry that can be applied to the seed.

“And we work with limitations to seed safety also,” Cloete says. “We know that some products, which can be applied foliar or in-furrow, may not be safely applied as a seed treatment without reformulation. Another limitation is illustrated by micronutrients. We cannot apply enough micronutrient material to the seed to satisfy that crop’s micronutrient demand throughout the growing cycle and still be within the physical planting limitations of getting seed placed in the soil.”

“We find ways to bring multiple solutions to the seed. It may take thousands of attempts over several years until we find an answer, but we resonate with the end-user by finding real solutions to their real problems.”

A successful solution for Kannar is one that allows everyone to sleep well at night. That can only happen when the answer is backed by sound research, thorough data, and extensive testing. It goes beyond just offering a relationship and a product in a keg or tote. It means Kannar goes on-site, multiple times as needed, to observe the application of chemistries. The team then verifies that full-scale production produces the same results as indicated from smaller scale lab experiences.

“We try not to be limited by existing beliefs or others’ experiences. Tenacity and perseverance mean willingness to make minor adjustments with the product until we determine the solution is spot on. It means we often compete against ourselves; especially when we believe that we already have a great product. But we pause and ask ourselves, ‘How can we make it even better?’ “Ultimately,” says Cloete, “our goal is to provide an environment where the seed can achieve its genetic potential and help our growers create their legacy and financial security.”

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Modified from publication in SeedWorld, January 2021

Kannar Earth Science integrates and optimizes seed applied technologies for crop establishment peace of mind

What do you consider for seed applied technologies (SATs)? The essential seedling protection against pests and soilborne diseases? Maybe you’re looking for something to specifically help crop emergence?

Well, there is an alternative solution! What about finding a seed treatment technologies and solutions group that provides the total package for crop establishment?

Kannar Earth Science is here for one reason: to promote ideal agriculture through the design and manufacture of the combination of innovative SAT’s which may consist of active ingredients (AI’s), synergistic fertilizers and related seed applied inputs.

“We provide total confidence,” says CEO Sam Cloete (pronounced “Clue-TAH”). “We use several Rancona based blends with STartUP™ branded components from UPL, such as STartUP IMIDA, METXL, AZOXY and more. We trust these due to excellent efficacy and high quality of the formulations. This ensures reliable stability, compatibility and treating characteristics of the complete package. (Click HERE to request more information and to see the variety of crops we treat.)

“Kannar has invested significant time and resources to develop SeedKOTE™ polymers, pigments, stabilizers and other value-added additives,” he says.

“With total confidence comes total value. We often hear customers mention that we provide the best value because we help them sleep well at night. And the process is simple: Given our dedication to excellence, we replace real problems with real solutions, all backed by science.”

Communication is Key

Cloete says that the quality of the seed treatment on the seed shows a grower just how much technical expertise can be associated with the chemistries on the seed and how it is applied.

“Think about what happens when a seed company shows a grower treated seed: consider the coatings appearance with regard to uniformity, visual appeal, and the seed’s flowability, even in terms of how much less dust is in the seed display cup,” he says. “The industry has really caught on to the value of seed coating by communicating these traits and intellectual property of the treated seed.”

Now, Cloete says, the race is on for seed companies to communicate the importance of treated seed to promote crop establishment for that very grower.

“What do you think of when you think of crop establishment?” he asks. “For a grower, crop establishment relates to all the elements of crop protection, such as your insecticide and fungicide; the high performance of biologicals, whether an inoculant or other yield enhancing technology that is applied alongside the AI treatment; high germination coupled with uniform and rapid emergence across the field. The seed coating contributes significantly to that achievement.”

This is where seed companies can have difficulties arise. When you hit the crossroads of crop protection through traditional AI’s, seed applied fertilizers, micronutrients, hormones and microbials, companies can inadvertently promote undesired outcomes in terms of crop establishment or worse, create sub-par yield.

“It could actually create a yield drag or an emergence concern,” Cloete says. “That’s where Kannar comes in to help.”

Kannar brings the expertise of knowing exactly how all the chemistries on the seed will react, and how to place it properly on the seed to prevent sub-par quality issues when it comes to crop establishment.

Customized Attention

Kannar can devise a strategy to help differentiate the seed in the marketplace by way of appearance and crop establishment performance. Cloete notes that with one seed company, they worked closely to create a seed coating strategy. Once competition caught up there was no need to panic. Instead, it became a mere indication that it was time to deploy the next offering – remaining ahead of the competition.

“We also offer custom ready-to-use blends, saving time for our customer to focus on what they do best — sell seed, service the grower relationship and treat the seed excellently and quickly,” Cloete says. “That helped them to distinguish themselves in the marketplace from their competitors.”

In the end, there’s one thing to take away: Kannar is a reliable, full-service provider of seed treatment equipment, your foundation of seed treatment AI’s and everything that goes with it.

“We might be the new kids on the block, but we have an impressive history developing and working with seed treatments,” Cloete says. “And we have serious expertise to go along with it.”

To find out more about Kannar’s custom blend program, please visit www.kannargroup.com/cropestablishment

Modified from article in Seed World, October 2020

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