1 Thing Farmers Simply Can't Live Without

By Taylor Muckerman – Jul 23, 2013 at 8:03AM

NYSE: POT

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.

Yield is a wildly important metric to farmers, which is why they cannot skimp on using these components.

Drought and malnutrition can wreak havoc on a farmer's crop production. That's why fertilizers, such as potash, are so vital, especially as available, arable land continues to decline. Potash does more than just aid in water retention and enhance a plants ability to withstand extreme climates. It also contributes mightily to the revenue and profits of companies like PotashCorp (POT) and Agrium (NYSE: AGU).

Both of these companies will be reporting over the next three weeks, with PotashCorp announcing its latest quarterly performance on Thursday, July 25. After record potash sales volumes at Mosaic (MOS -0.84%), Motley Fool analyst Taylor Muckerman has high hopes for this segment at PotashCorp. He'll be looking for PotashCorp's realized prices and the effects of greater diversification through the sale of nitrogen- and phosphate-based fertilizers as well. Tune in below for more.

Taylor Muckerman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of CF Industries Holdings. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.