There’s no denying that Cody Hatzenbuhler, owner of Pan Ag in Madan, ND, has a strong passion for agriculture, the environment, and soil health. Cody sells seed, soil health products, and cattle feed while providing agronomic advice to farmers of North Dakota. He stresses the importance of keeping such diverse land productive and soils healthy. Cody was employed as the Soil Conservationist for USDA-NRCS for almost 15 years and has a strong agronomy background, having also served in the Soil and Water Conservation Society since 2008.

Jim and Darcy Erickson of ECO (Erickson Custom Operations, ND) first approached Cody about a brand new product called Calcine®: a product meant to fix saline and compact soils while improving irrigation. Aware of lots of new “snake oils” on the market, Cody ignored the Erickson’s calls for about 7 months when he finally blew the dust off the trial bottle of Calcine® and applied it to his grass. Amazed by the results, he wanted to know more. 

The Ericksons then also introduced Cody to NanoShield® technology by Aqua-Yield®. Knowing the benefits of humic on crops, Cody began trials on NanoPro®, a humic product for improved crop protection applications. Cody states, “NanoPro® has worked well with other chemicals, allowing for growers to go out at the low-end of the rate range while delivering the same or better weed control.”

He now sells the whole line up of Aqua-Yield® products including NanoPack™ and NanoGro®. NanoGro®, used in-furrow with a liquid starter program, “allows for my growers to reduce the amount of salt being applied in-furrow. ” NanoPack™ offers improved micronutrient balance for the prevention of deficiencies. Excited by this latest technology, Cody continues, “NanoShield® technology is a key function that will help with improving soil health. In the next five years everyone should be using NanoPack™.”