As climate changes become a prime challenge to agriculture, reliable crop nutrition is harder to come by. Haifa offers a range of solutions, designed to overcome the challenges, whatever the weather is

1. Climate Change & the Haifa Offer
The 12th New Ag International Conf. and Exhibition
Ron Seligmann
Chief Agronomist and Knowledge Manager

2. News Collection
Farming UK (09/11/12) – Water availability
expected to be more unpredictable in the future
UoN (10/13) Climate Change: What does it
mean for Nebraska?
NRC Public Briefing (21/11/13) Abrupt impacts
of climate change
ISU (03/12/13) Iowa state scientists team up to
keep nitrates on fields
Huffington Post (04/12/13) How climate-smart
agriculture is improving the lives of millions
around the world

3. Commonalities
CO2 levels
Blame chart
Agriculture &
forestry
7%
Not specified
3% Electricity
generation (in
states)
13%
Electricity
generation
(imports)
12%
Transportation
35%
Industrial
21%
Commercial
3%
Residential
6%

4. Global Mean Surface Temp. Anomaly
IPCC 2013

5. Adds New Colors to Temp. Maps
BOM, AU

6. What Did We have (and What’s Coming)?
Land and mudslides
Droughts
Heat waves (prolonged)
Floods
Heavy (episodic) precipitation
Forest fires
Tropical storms
Disease pressure

7. Climate Anomalies & Events
NOAA, US

8. Same but Different
NOAA, US

9. Like it or Not,
it’s all around You

10. Mean Temperature Anomaly
BOM, AU

11. Number of very hot days
BOM, AU

12. Higher Temperatures
Accelerated flowering and harvesting period is
expected for early season crops
e.g. pears, peaches, apricots
Accelerated flowering however with slower
harvesting is demonstrated on late season
crops
e.g. apples, persimmon, grapes, citrus varieties

13. Direct Impact on Wine (example)
Harvest will occur at a hotter season, reducing vine
quality
Harvest season will be compressed putting pressure on
harvesting logistics of wineries intake
The above will be compounded by greater volatility
Reduction in wine quality expected
Relocation of vineyards might help although suitable
areas might be less then needed
Extreme heat days and water scarcity will exacerbate the
above
Anderson et al., 2008

14. Impact on production
While some impacts cannot be dealt with (e.g. skin
coloration disorders) issues that are triggered by severe
weather can be worked around.
Blossom End Rot (example) which can result in significant
yield loss can be dealt with using:
• Low ammonium fertilizers (high nitrate)
• All nutrient fertilizers (do not contain non-plant food)
Other changes in fruit and vegetables quality are also
noted such as fruit size and post-harvest problems
can be dealt with using tailored and balanced irrigation and
nutrition

15. Impact of Climate Change - France
Van der Velde et al., 2012

16. Climate impact in Eastern Europe
The World Bank, 2013

17. added with forecasted water shortage…
The World Bank, 2013

18. Decline in water availability

19. Going to extremes

20. The Comfort Zone
The increasing trends of chill unit at 2700 msl suggested
that area is becoming suitable for apple cultivation in
higher altitude. These findings have also been supported
by the farmers’ perceptions which clearly reflected that
apple cultivation is expanding to higher altitude in Lahaul
& Spitti (with increasing economical benefits)
Rana et al; 2009 (India)
Morinaga; 2013 (japan)

21. Northward shift
Leaving?
Moving north in search of appropriate (cooler) weather
Different soils, water and different weather patterns
Adoption
• Understanding the common practice in the new work zone
(sometimes different then what the local farmers know)
• Soil and water testing and analysis
– Crop impact
– Targeted nutrition
Staying?
As heat and drought are usually connected the use of low
chloride and pure nutrition fertilizers is recommended

22. Expansion of Diseases
Morinaga 2013

23. Hot, cold, high, low – supply vs demand
Plant demand is a good driver for application best
practice
Interacting within the continuum, plant requirements
change by the day (by the minute ;-)
While using high efficiency water delivery systems, and
managing those well, the right amount of water is given
to address plant need (WUE)
Fertigation, where Water Soluble Fertilizers are delivered
via the system exactly to the active root zone, increase
uptake efficiency while reducing losses (NUE)

24. Annual Rainfall Anomaly (Australia)

25. Winter Instability (California)

26. Caught by surprise
If you can not anticipate well the timing or magnitude of
rain event, you are at a higher risk of losing on your
fertilization practice
The use of Controlled Release Fertilizers, where small
amounts are released based on a predetermined time-
line, enables minimizing losses while delivering the
nutrients needed
The higher efficiency also allows the reduction of amounts
given at first hand
Using nitrate based fertilizers reduces volatilization hence
lowering even further the impact on climate change

27. Ground Water Classes

28. Impact on Agriculture
Heat and chill hours
Phenology alignment
• Dormancy, Flowering, Harvest
Alternate bearing
Northward expansion
Southward unsuitability
Reduced water availability and quality
Increased threat of leaching
Water & Nitrates
Disease pressure

29. “Holding Hands”
“Discover” climate
Understand its impact
Adapt a program / approach
Dynamic
• Fertigation - Supply the need; Reduce the losses
Stable
• Controlled Release - Maintain a stable plant environment;
Reduce losses (leaching, volatilization)
Ad-hoc / compliment
• Foliar
Monitor
Climate, Soil, Water, Plants
Manage it well
Correct & improve

30. Pioneering Solutions
• Water-Soluble Fertilizers for
Nutrigation and Foliar
Sprays
• Controlled-Release
Fertilizers
• Prilled & Granular Fertilizers
• Food Phosphates
• Technical Grade Products
• Potassium Nitrate for Solar
Power Stations
Learn more about Haifa’s
solutions: http://www.haifa-
group.com/products/