Photo credit: Star of the West Milling Co.
Star of the West Milling Co. has launched its 2026 Sustainable Tracking of Agronomic Resources (STAR) program, incorporating Ostara's CG P2X fertilizer to help farmers deliver measurable sustainability outcomes while meeting growing demand from food companies for supply chain transparency.
The STAR program focuses on the Great Lakes Grain Initiative and is supported through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's Advancing Markets for Producers grant.
The program is designed to create value for farmers who adopt or expand sustainability practices when supplying wheat, dry beans or food-grade soybeans. Working through Star of the West's retail agronomy network, the program connects agronomic support with implementation at the farm level. Depending on participation, farmers can receive up to $50 per acre.
Participating growers receive compensation for data reporting, access to soil health sampling and results, with the potential for additional payments tied to soil health scores, and incentives to adopt practices such as cover crops, reduced tillage and low-emissions fertilizer options, including CG P2X.
“We’re directly supporting sustainable practices and linking them to food company demand,” said Katie Adam, grower partnerships advisor and project lead at Star of the West. “We are focused on connecting what the farmer sees as possible with what our customers need, rather than making assumptions or demands.”
The program is intended to enable Star of the West to provide food company customers with data on supply chain impacts to help meet sustainability reporting requirements.
CG P2X is a 9-42-0-9 Mg enhanced-efficiency phosphate fertilizer manufactured in St. Louis.
According to Ostara, the fertilizer releases nutrients in response to crop demand as plant roots and beneficial fungi interact with the product in the soil. The company said the approach is designed to reduce phosphate fertilizer losses through runoff, leaching and soil tie-up while supporting soil and root health.
Ostara said CG P2X can provide comparable performance at approximately 40% lower application rates per acre than traditional phosphate fertilizers.
“Third-party evidence shows enhanced-efficiency fertilizers deliver meaningful environmental impact with a high level of confidence, while also creating value for farmers and providing food companies with cost-effective options to meet sustainability goals,” said Austin Omer, director of sustainability at Ostara. “The future of sustainable sourcing isn’t about mandates; it’s about alignment and adopting proven innovations like CG P2X. When farmers, innovation and customer demand come together, that’s where real progress happens.”
Farmers, agronomy partners and food companies interested in participating in the STAR program can contact Star of the West through its retail agronomy network or visit the company's website for additional information. Information about CG P2X is available through Ostara.