How attapulgite clay and diatomaceous earth from Geraldton, WA can substitute, stretch and protect your inputs this sowing season — starting this week.

10 things Australian farmers need to know right now

#	Point	What it means for your farm
1	Fertiliser supply is in crisis now	The Strait of Hormuz closure has cut one third of global fertiliser trade. Australian urea stocks run out mid-April. Some retailers have already stopped taking orders.
2	Attapulgite clay stretches your nitrogen further	AgriFix attapulgite has high cation exchange capacity (CEC). It holds ammonium ions in the soil and releases them slowly to plant roots — so the urea you do apply works harder and leaches less.
3	You can use it this week — no new equipment	AgriFix 102 is a granular product. Blend it with urea, amsul, or MAP at any blending facility, or apply it through your air-seeder at sowing. No equipment modifications required.
4	It keeps moisture in the seed zone	Attapulgite retains water in the soil around the germinating seed — critical in WA sandplain, mallee, and coastal soils during a dry opening to the season.
5	It improves soil structure and root growth	Applied as a soil amendment, attapulgite increases pore space, reduces compaction, and supports deeper root penetration — improving plant vigour in the first weeks after sowing.
6	AgriFix 103 replaces imported pesticide carrier	Australian pesticide manufacturers currently import attapulgite carrier grade from Spain and the US. AgriFix 103 meets CIPAC MT 59 specification and is available domestically now.
7	Diatomaceous earth protects your stored grain	WA freshwater-origin diatomaceous earth (DE) kills grain storage insects physically — no chemical active, no residue, no resistance development. Mix with grain at storage. Available immediately.
8	Both minerals come from Western Australia	Processed at Narngulu, Geraldton and processed by Hudson Marketing Pty Ltd. AUD pricing. FOB Geraldton and Fremantle. No import risk. No currency exposure.
9	The reserve is large — supply is secure	Mineral supply security: Hudson Resources holds 24 million tonnes of attapulgite clay and 3.5 million tonnes of diatomaceous earth. Long-term supply security not subject to export restrictions or geopolitical disruption.
10	Samples and pricing available	Enquire: [email protected] Call (02) 9251 7177

What attapulgite clay does — property by property

Property	How it works in soil	Benefit to your crop this season
High cation exchange capacity (CEC)	Adsorbs ammonium (NH4+) and potassium (K+) ions onto the clay surface; releases them progressively as plant roots take up nutrients	Nitrogen and potassium held in the root zone — less leaching, more value from every kilogram of fertiliser applied
Needle-like crystal microstructure	Extremely high surface area relative to weight — far greater than plate clays like kaolin or bentonite	Small application rate delivers disproportionate adsorption benefit; effective at low inclusion rates in blends
Natural colloidal stability	Disperses evenly through soil solution and water without settling or clumping	Uniform nutrient distribution through the soil profile; no hotspots; consistent establishment across the paddock
Soil water retention	Hygroscopic — holds water molecules within the crystal matrix and releases them to the root zone	Retains moisture around the germinating seed; reduces moisture stress during dry opening conditions
Soil structure improvement	Increases inter-aggregate pore space and soil aeration in the root zone	Reduces compaction risk; improves root penetration; supports early plant vigour in the critical first 3–4 weeks
Natural granule binder	Adhesive properties without synthetic agents — binds fertiliser granules mechanically	Improves structural integrity of blended fertilisers; reduces dust and product breakdown in the bag and at application
Inert, pH-neutral chemistry	Does not react with fertiliser actives, herbicides, fungicides, or seed treatments	Safe to blend with urea, ammonium sulphate, MAP, or any standard crop protection product
Freshwater-origin purity	Low swelling index; consistent particle size; low contaminant load	Reliable, batch-certified performance — not subject to the quality variation seen in some imported attapulgite grades

What diatomaceous earth does — property by property

Property	How it works	Benefit to your operation this season
Physical insecticide	Sharp amorphous silica particles abrade the waxy outer cuticle of insects, causing them to lose moisture and die	Kills weevils (Sitophilus spp.) and lesser grain borers (Rhyzopertha dominica) in stored grain — no chemicals required
Zero chemical active ingredient	Purely physical mode of action — no synthetic compound present	No MRL concerns; no chemical residue on grain; fully compatible with domestic and export market requirements
No resistance development	Insects cannot adapt biochemically to a physical desiccant	Effective on all pest populations regardless of what chemical insecticides have been used on your property historically
Freshwater-origin amorphous silica	Lower crystalline silica content than marine-origin DE; safer occupational health profile	Preferred grade for grain contact applications; lower dust hazard during handling and application
Anti-caking and flow improvement	Absorbs surface moisture; prevents grain and granule clumping during storage	Keeps stored grain and fertiliser blends flowing freely through augers and handling equipment
Livestock and poultry dual use	Physical contact desiccant effective against mites and lice on animals and in shed environments	Addresses pest management across both cropping and livestock enterprises from a single domestic input

AgriFix 102, AgriFix 103 and Diatomaceous Earth — at a glance

Product	Use	Specification	Availability
AgriFix 102	Micro-granular fertiliser carrier; soil conditioner at sowing; granule binder for blended fertilisers	High CEC microgranular attapulgite; freshwater-origin; compatible with all standard fertiliser inputs	FOB Geraldton / Fremantle. Blend with urea, amsul, MAP.
AgriFix 103	Agrochemical carrier for WDG and wettable powder pesticide formulation	CIPAC MT 59 particle-size specification; batch-certified; engineered for agchem carrier use	FOB Geraldton.
Diatomaceous Earth	Grain storage protectant; in-crop insect control; livestock pest management; feed anti-caking	Freshwater-origin amorphous silica; food-contact grade; zero chemical active ingredient	Available immediately. Apply directly to stored grain or as a dust. FOB Geraldton.

What AgriFix and DE substitute or enhance this season

What you cannot get or is too expensive	How AgriFix or DE helps	Realistic outcome
Full urea rate at normal price	AgriFix attapulgite clay has potential to improve nitrogen-use efficiency via CEC — holds nitrogen in the root zone and reduces leaching	Apply attapulgite with a reduced urea rate. Agronomic trials show CEC minerals can support comparable yields at 15–25% lower N rates in high-leaching soils
DAP/MAP phosphate starter	Attapulgite properties adsorbs phosphate ions and releases them progressively to roots — maximises the yield from any P you do apply	Not a phosphate replacement. But every kilogram of scarce phosphate works harder when applied with attapulgite
Imported pesticide carrier mineral	AgriFix 103 is a direct drop-in domestic substitute alternative for imported attapulgite carrier grades	Australian agrochemical manufacturers can remove import dependency on carrier mineral — available FOB Geraldton now
Imported chemical grain protectant	Diatomaceous earth kills grain storage insects physically — no chemical active, no residue, no supply chain risk	Available immediately from Western Australia. Protects stored grain through the season without chemical inputs or import exposure
Synthetic soil conditioner / water crystals	AgriFix attapulgite improves soil water retention naturally at sowing — applies through standard seeder equipment	Improves moisture retention in the seed zone from day one of sowing. No special application equipment required

What to do this week

When	Action	How
This week	Contact Hudson Marketing for samples and pricing	Enquire: [email protected] Call (02) 9251 7177. Request AgriFix 102 and/or AgriFix 103 samples and a commercial quote.
This week	Order diatomaceous earth for grain storage	If you have last season’s grain in storage, apply DE now. Order before seasonal demand peaks. Available immediately from Geraldton.
Before seeding	Blend AgriFix 102 with your fertiliser	Compatible with urea, ammonium sulphate, MAP, and compound blends. Mix at your local blending facility or on-farm. Standard equipment.
At seeding	Apply AgriFix as in-furrow soil amendment	Apply through standard air-seeder or combine equipment at seeding. Improves moisture retention and soil structure from day one.
At seeding	Discuss reduced urea rate with your agronomist	Potential for attapulgite clay application to improve nitrogen retention depending on application and context.
This season	Lock in a supply contract	The Strait of Hormuz disruption will persist for months. Lock in a domestic supply arrangement now to secure volume and pricing.

AgriFix 102 & AgriFix 103 — available from Geraldton, Western Australia Microgranular attapulgite clay processed by Hudson Marketing Pty Ltd at Narngulu, Geraldton WA. AUD pricing. No import dependency. FOB Geraldton and Fremantle. Diatomaceous earth also available. T: (02) 9251 7177   |   E: [email protected]   |   Level 5, 52 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000

The numbers you need to know: Urea up 26% since conflict began ($465 → $585/tonne globally). Australian domestic stocks: mid-April runout projected. Ammonium sulphate: 99% of Australian supply imported from China — now restricted. Phosphate prices forecast +50% if Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Australia’s diesel buffer: 34 days. At least one Australian retailer has suspended fertiliser orders.

What the Iran war means for your paddock

The following table shows the current supply situation for Australia’s key agricultural inputs as of March 2026:

Fertiliser / input	% of AU supply from Gulf / imports	Current situation — March 2025
Urea (nitrogen)	64% from Gulf	Domestic stocks projected to run out mid-April. Prices up 26% since conflict began. At least one Australian retailer has suspended orders.
Ammonium sulphate	99% from China	China has restricted exports. Domestic prices at A$480/t. Stocks critically low after a rush of demand from growers seeking urea alternatives.
DAP / MAP (phosphate)	High import reliance	Morocco and Middle East supply disrupted. Phosphate prices forecast to rise 50%+ if Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Diesel / fuel	Imported crude	Australia has just 34 days of diesel buffer. Freight costs rising sharply as vessels reroute around Cape of Good Hope.
Potash	Canada, Belarus, Russia	Supply already constrained since 2022. No Gulf exposure, but compounding shortfall alongside urea and phosphate disruption.

Sources: Argus Media, CSIS, Al Jazeera, Stock Journal, Australian Bureau of Statistics trade data.

The compounding effect is the critical issue. It is not just urea. It is urea and ammonium sulphate and phosphate and diesel — simultaneously, at the start of a sowing window that cannot be moved. This is not a situation where you can wait for prices to normalise. Sowing happens now.

What attapulgite clay is — and what it actually does in your soil

Attapulgite clay — also known as Palygorskite and Fuller’s Earth — is a naturally occurring magnesium aluminium silicate mineral mined from a 24-million-tonne reserve at Narngulu, near Geraldton in Western Australia. It has been used in agriculture globally for decades. What makes it directly relevant to the current input crisis is a set of physical and chemical properties that allow it to perform several of the functions your fertiliser inputs perform — or significantly enhance the efficiency of the fertiliser you do manage to source.

Attapulgite is not a fertiliser. It does not contain nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium. But it changes what happens to the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium you apply — holding them in the root zone, releasing them progressively, reducing leaching loss, and improving the soil conditions in which roots grow and nutrient uptake occurs. In a season where you may be applying significantly less fertiliser than you planned, maximising the return from every kilogram you do apply is not optional — it is the difference between a viable crop and a marginal one.

Attapulgite clay: full property and benefit breakdown

Property	What it means	Benefit to your crop — right now
High cation exchange capacity (CEC)	Holds positively charged nutrient ions (N, P, K) in the soil matrix	Fertiliser you do apply — even in reduced quantities — is held in the root zone longer and released progressively. Less leaching. More value per kilogram spent.
Needle-like crystal microstructure	Extremely high surface area relative to weight	Adsorbs water and nutrient ions across a very large contact area. A small application rate delivers disproportionate soil benefit.
Natural colloidal stability	Disperses uniformly in water and soil solution	Mixes evenly through soil profile or fertiliser blend — no hotspots, no uneven distribution.
Soil water retention	Holds moisture in sandy and loamy soils	In the WA grain belt, SA and Vic cropping soils, attapulgite in the seed zone retains moisture around the germinating seed — critical in a dry opening.
Soil structure improvement	Increases pore space and aeration	Reduces compaction risk in heavier soils, improves root penetration and early plant vigour — directly supporting establishment in the critical first weeks after sowing.
Granule binder — no synthetics needed	Natural adhesive properties	Attapulgite binds blended fertiliser granules without synthetic agents. If you are blending your own inputs this season, it reduces formulation cost.
Inert, pH-neutral chemistry	Does not react with fertiliser actives or soil chemistry	Safe to blend with urea, amsul, MAP, or any remaining fertiliser stock. Does not interfere with herbicide or fungicide seed treatments.
Freshwater-origin purity (AgriFix, WA)	Low swelling index, consistent particle size	Reliable, batch-certified performance. Not subject to the quality variation seen in some imported clays.

What the science says about nitrogen efficiency with attapulgite

The mechanism is well established in soil science. Attapulgite’s high cation exchange capacity (CEC) means positively charged ammonium ions (NH4+) — the form in which nitrogen is held in soil after urea application — adsorb onto the clay surface and are released gradually as plant roots create a demand. This is the same principle behind slow-release nitrogen products that sell at a premium. Attapulgite delivers a comparable nitrogen retention effect at the cost of a mineral carrier, not a coated urea product.

In practical terms: if you are applying 50 kg/ha of urea but attapulgite improves nitrogen retention in your soil by 20 per cent, the effective fertiliser value of that 50 kg is closer to 60 kg. In a season where you may only be able to source 80 per cent of your normal urea requirement, attapulgite can close much of that gap.

Agronomist note on rate reduction: Independent evaluation by agrochemical manufacturers has confirmed AgriFix attapulgite clay meets the particle size and performance specifications required for professional agchem carrier use. Consult your agronomist before reducing fertiliser rates. In sandy soils with high leaching risk (typical WA sandplain and coastal soils), the nitrogen retention benefit of attapulgite is most pronounced. In heavier clay soils, the soil structure and water retention benefits are typically the primary value driver.

What diatomaceous earth is — and what it does for your grain and your crop

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a sedimentary rock made from the fossilised remains of diatoms — microscopic aquatic organisms with silica-based cell walls. When milled to a powder, the sharp silica fragments act as a physical insecticide: they abrade the waxy outer layer (cuticle) of insects on contact, causing the insect to lose moisture and die. There is no chemical active ingredient. There is no mode of action that insects can develop resistance to. There is no re-entry interval. There is no chemical residue on treated grain.

Hudson’s Geraldton deposit is freshwater-origin diatomaceous earth — the grade preferred for food-contact and grain storage applications because of its lower crystalline silica content compared to marine-origin DE.

Diatomaceous earth: full property and benefit breakdown

Property	What it means	Benefit to your operation — right now
Physical (non-chemical) insecticide	Sharp silica particles abrade insect cuticle, causing dehydration and death	No chemical active. No resistance development. No re-entry interval. No MRL concern for export markets. Works immediately on application.
Freshwater-origin silica (WA grade)	Lower crystalline silica content than marine-origin DE	Better safety profile for handling. Preferred grade for food contact and grain storage applications.
Zero chemical residue	No synthetic active ingredient	Grain treated with DE meets all domestic and export market requirements. Ideal for growers supplying premium or organic-accredited buyers.
No resistance mechanism	Purely physical mode of action	Insects cannot develop resistance to a physical desiccant. Effective regardless of what chemical insecticides have been used historically on your farm.
Anti-caking / flow agent	Prevents clumping in stored grain and fertiliser blends	Keeps stored grain flowing freely. Can be used in fertiliser blending operations to improve granule flowability.
Livestock and poultry dual use	Effective mite and lice treatment in sheds and yards	For mixed farming operations, DE addresses both grain storage and livestock pest management from a single domestic input.

Why DE matters specifically in the current crisis

With diesel at record prices and freight costs elevated, every kilometre of unnecessary truck movement costs more than it did twelve months ago. Every drum of imported chemical grain protectant that comes from Europe or the United States has those costs embedded in its price. Diatomaceous earth from Geraldton, WA travels a fraction of the distance to reach Australian farm storages — and it does the same job.

More critically: in a season where you may be storing grain for longer than usual — waiting for prices to recover as supply chains normalise — protecting that stored grain from weevil and lesser grain borer damage is not a cost you can afford to skip. A grain storage infestation in a season of record input costs, with export markets sensitive to MRL compliance, would compound an already difficult year severely.

What attapulgite and diatomaceous earth replace — and what they do not

Attapulgite clay and diatomaceous earth are not nitrogen. They are not phosphate. They are not a complete substitute for the fertiliser program you planned for this season. You still need to source whatever nitrogen and phosphate you can, from whatever supply exists.

What they do is fill specific, defined gaps in your input program — and they fill those gaps with a product that is available right now, from Western Australia, at AUD pricing with no import risk. The table below maps the specific substitution case for each:

What you cannot get / is too expensive	How AgriFix / DE helps	Realistic expectation
Full urea rate at normal price	AgriFix attapulgite clay increases nitrogen-use efficiency via CEC — holds N in root zone, reduces leaching loss	Apply attapulgite with a reduced urea rate. Independent trials show CEC minerals can maintain comparable yield outcomes at 15–25% lower N application rates when soil moisture and timing are managed.
DAP / MAP phosphate starter fertiliser	Attapulgite enhances phosphate availability by adsorbing P ions and releasing them progressively to roots	Not a phosphate replacement, but maximises the yield from any phosphate you do apply. Critical when stocks are short.
Imported synthetic pesticide carrier	AgriFix 103 is a direct drop-in carrier for WDG and wettable powder formulations — domestically available now	For manufacturers and co-ops blending their own crop protection products, AgriFix 103 removes import dependency on Spanish or US carrier mineral.
Imported chemical grain protectant	Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a proven grain storage protectant — physical, not chemical	Protects stored grain from weevils and lesser grain borers without chemical residue. Available from Geraldton WA. Can be applied immediately.
Synthetic soil conditioner / water crystals	AgriFix attapulgite clay improves soil water retention naturally — particularly in sandy WA and SA soils	Applied at sowing as a granular soil amendment or blended with fertiliser. Improves moisture retention around the seed zone from day one.

AgriFix 102 and AgriFix 103 — what to order and when

Hudson Marketing produces two microgranular attapulgite clay grades under the AgriFix brand from the Hudson Resources Ltd mineral reserve at Narngulu, Geraldton:

AgriFix 102 — Fertiliser carrier, soil conditioner, and granule binder. This is the grade relevant to growers applying attapulgite directly to paddocks at sowing as a soil amendment, and to fertiliser blenders incorporating it into compound or blended NPK products. High production volume available. Can be blended with urea, amsul, MAP, and compound fertilisers at your local blending facility or on-farm.

AgriFix 103 — Agrochemical carrier grade, engineered to CIPAC MT 59 particle-size specification for WDG (water-dispersible granule) and wettable powder (WP) pesticide formulation. Relevant to Australian pesticide manufacturers and regional agrochemical blending operations that currently source carrier-grade attapulgite from Spain or the United States. Domestically available, batch-certified, AUD-priced.

an action plan for sowing season 2026

The sowing window does not wait. Here is a practical sequence of actions for growers, agronomists, and farm input suppliers to take immediately:

Timeframe	Action	Detail
This week	Contact Hudson Marketing for samples and pricing	Call (02) 9251 7177 or email [email protected] Request AgriFix 102 (fertiliser / soil conditioner) and/or AgriFix 103 (agchem carrier). Samples dispatched from Narngulu, Geraldton.
This week	Order diatomaceous earth for grain storage	If you have last season’s grain in storage or are planning to store this season’s crop, DE can be applied immediately. Order now before demand peaks.
Before seeding	Blend AgriFix 102 with your fertiliser	AgriFix 102 is compatible with urea, amsul, MAP, and compound blends. Mix at your local blending facility or on-farm. No special equipment required.
At seeding	Apply AgriFix as in-furrow soil amendment	Granular attapulgite can be applied through standard air-seeder or combine equipment at seeding. No modifications required.
At seeding	Discuss reduced urea rate with your agronomist	With AgriFix improving nitrogen retention, discuss whether a 15–20% reduction in urea rate is feasible given your soil type, rainfall zone, and crop. This stretches limited urea stocks further.
Ongoing	Lock in a supply contract	With the Strait of Hormuz disruption likely to persist for months, lock in a domestic supply arrangement now. Hudson Marketing offers volume pricing and contracted supply for the season.

The broader case: why Australian farmers need a domestic mineral strategy

The Iran war did not create Australia’s agricultural input vulnerability — it exposed it. Australia has been without domestic urea production since Dyno Nobel closed its Gibson Island facility in 2022. It imports 99 per cent of its ammonium sulphate from China. It has 34 days of diesel buffer. These are not the supply chain metrics of a sovereign agricultural nation.

Western Australia holds 24 million tonnes of proven attapulgite clay reserve and 3.5 million tonnes of diatomaceous earth — minerals with direct, validated applications across soil conditioning, fertiliser enhancement, agrochemical carrier, and natural pest management. These reserves have existed for decades. The processing infrastructure is in place at Narngulu, Geraldton, close to major ports.

The question Australian agriculture needs to answer is not whether these minerals work — they do, and they are used at scale globally. The question is why Australian growers and manufacturers are still shipping the equivalent from Spain and the Middle East when a domestic source is available.

In a normal year, the answer might involve incremental cost comparisons and established supply relationships. In March 2026, with urea at $585 a tonne and climbing, diesel buffers at 34 days, and the Strait of Hormuz closed to commercial shipping, the answer is simple: use what you can get locally, now.

A note from the author: This advisory has been prepared by Hudson Marketing Pty Ltd, the commercial supplier of AgriFix attapulgite clay and diatomaceous earth produced from Hudson Resources Ltd deposit reserves in Western Australia. The supply situation data cited in this document draws on publicly available reporting from Argus Media, CSIS, Al Jazeera, the Stock Journal, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, current as of March 2026. Farmers should consult their agronomist before making changes to fertiliser rates or programs.

AgriFix 102 & AgriFix 103 — available now from Geraldton, Western Australia Attapulgite clay mined by Hudson Resources Ltd. Microgranular attapulgite clay processed and supplied by Hudson Marketing Pty Ltd. AUD pricing. No import dependency. FOB Geraldton and Fremantle. Technical samples available immediately. Diatomaceous earth also available for grain storage and pest management applications. T: (02) 9251 7177   |   E: [email protected]   |   Level 5, 52 Phillip Street, Sydney NSW 2000