potash

Canada supplies 75-80% of US potash imports, and potash is a non-substitutable input in agriculture; without it, crop yields drop significantly.

Then don't get me started on NPK inputs - cast an eye over Potash or Phosphate stocks recently?

Similar debates have happened with respect to developing Canada's oil and potash resources (in the interior).

Nitrogen-based fertilizers come from natural gas, and phosphate and potash are globally priced and often imported.

In reality, the vast majority of Canadian exports are energy and potash, neither of which have any kind of tariffs applied.

How much would Potash Corp pay to be 20 years ahead of their competition?

Ex: there isn't a literal potash or nitrogen monopoly, since it's a worldwide market.

No actually burning the cash would at least have residual value as potash.

As far as I understand no foreign countries laid claim to Canada's oil and potash resources in the interior.

Saskatchewan has the largest deposit of Potash fertilizer on Earth (4+ trillion tonnes).

With water you heated on a wood fire, the ashes of which you turned into potash so you can make your own soap?

Similarly for mining potash at the extreme depths sometimes required.

I was curious about the actual patent no.1: The first US patent "was granted to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer on July 31." US Patent No.1 "was granted to Senator John Ruggles for a traction wheel for steam locomotives on July 13.

Potash, rather more abundant, but still with only a century or three of reserves at present rates of use.