Shell Oil Company Joins Initiative to Reduce Environmental Impact of Nitrogen in Agricultural Uses

Sound Agriculture, a U.S. company that helps farmers reduce nitrogen use and increase crop yields, is joining forces with British oil giant Shell to measure the economic and environmental impact of reducing agriculture-related nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions.

The two will conduct a feasibility study and pilot scheme to explore the potential for offsetting and monetizing on-farm N2O reduction.

Sound Ag will provide agronomic assistance to participating producers during the pilot season and cover any yield losses.

Shell will provide project funding and work on improved monitoring and validation of N2O field samples.

Trimble and Viresco Solutions are also supporting the pilot scheme by assisting with program design, as well as data aggregation and validation to help quantify carbon credit potential.

Sound Ag produces an input called Source that can be applied to crops and the soil in which they grow. This input boosts soil-dwelling microbes to enhance the bioavailability of naturally occurring nitrogen and phosphorus, allowing farmers to reduce the application of synthetic fertilizers.

The Emeryville, California-based company also offers an online tool, Performance Optimizer, which uses nitrogen application rates, soil data and yield targets to identify where in the field the source should be applied for optimal results.