Agrium Shuts Down Southwestern Ontario Turf Fertilizer Plant

Sep 06, 2012

Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT) one of the world’s leaders of wholesale fertilizers is closing their operations for good at their southwestern Ontario plant. The Courtright, Ontario plant located just south of Sarnia was making fertilizers for the turf grass market.

"It has become ever more challenging in these times of high urea volatility to secure a supply that would allow us to operate the facility profitably," Andrew Mittag, president of Brantford, Ont.-based AAT, said in a company release.

The facility had previously been producing 69 thousand tonnes of turf fertilizer products per year. The facility employed 28 staff, and some of the staff will remain on a temporary basis until the remaining inventory is sold and shipped out. Company officials at AAT have also said that they plan to work with the various government agencies to ensure that their commitment to environmental stewardship during their process of shutting down and dismantling the plant reduces their environmental impact on the region.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.