A proposed Monsanto Co. phosphate mine slated to produce ingredients for Roundup weedkiller generated nearly 7,000 public comments, including from a former U.S. Interior secretary who urges its approval and the Environmental Protection Agency, which wants additional pollution safeguards.

The fertilizer wars persisted on Monday as Agrium Inc. vowed to continue its pursuit of CF Industries Holdings Inc., while CF resubmitted its buyout offer to Terra Industries Inc., only to be promptly rejected.

Monsanto Co. is installing a water management system at an Idaho phosphate mine the company depends on to make its Roundup weedkiller to stop the leakage of selenium and heavy metals into a tributary of the Blackfoot River.

CF Industries Holdings Inc. on Friday said all three of its director nominees were elected to the board of Terra Industries Inc., significantly advancing its hostile takeover bid for the rival fertilizer company.

Developments this week could determine whether the fertilizer wars may finally be coming to an end.

Fertilizer companies caught up in hostile takeover wrangling again reached out to shareholders on Wednesday in an eleventh-hour appeal for support.