Same Yield, Less Spend
Overview
A regular rotation of SoilBiotics products has helped this Iowa row crop farmer cut back on commercial inputs. Through healthy soil, his crops are able to access the nutrients and water needed to grow into robust plants that can mitigate stressors throughout the season.
Less wear and tear on equipment. Killing six-foot tall waterhemp. Similar results to neighbors with less inputs. These are just a few things an Iowa farmer has noticed since he started using SoilBiotics products on his no-till, row crop farm, and they all add up to return on investment for his operation.
He relies on Soil Boost and Growth Boost to build healthier soil that supports his crops. Depending upon moisture, he’ll add DgradeR or SB Digester to break down stubble from the last crop and return those nutrients into the soil for future crops to use.
“Our soil is turning into a sponge, it’s so much softer,” the Iowa farmer said. “The biggest thing is it’s reducing compaction.”
Compacted soil is tough to work, even tougher for crops to grow in. It doesn’t hold water or let it drain in big rain events.
Herbicides are the only additional input he uses and with that he mixes Growth Supplement 30. This mix has helped him be able to eradicate most weeds from his fields while spraying less than he had before.
“With healthy soil, I’m able to reduce a lot of input costs,” he added. “The plant is getting nutrients it needs but I’m not having to spray foliar fertilizer or fungicides, insecticides. I’ve also reduced herbicide costs because not spraying multitudes of herbicides to try to kill weeds.”
Using the SoilBiotics products is easy. On his farm, he’s had no issues with plugging up equipment or mixing. Everything has worked the way it’s supposed to, which gives him one less thing to worry about — something anyone can appreciate.
Products Used
DgradeR
DgradeR is a liquid crop residue digester for forage crops. Formulated to break down organic matter such as starch, cellulose, chitin and lignin, it contains a unique selection of living beneficial microorganisms combined with a humic acid component. DgradeR can be applied to most soils via broadcast spray, and is compatible with most conventional fertilizers and herbicides. Do not mix with glyphosate.
SB Digester – Organic 3-0-1
SB Digester – Organic 3-0-1 is a combination of organic nitrogen and microbials with the ability to degrade a wide variety of organic polymers such as starch, cellulose, chitin and lignin. SB Digester – Organic can be applied to most soils for agricultural crops via broadcast spray, normally in combination with other SoilBiotics products, fertilizers and herbicides. This product may be used in conventional and organic programs.
Soil Boost
Soil Boost is a pure, dry humic soil amendment made from high-quality freshwater-sourced humate that enhances soil structure, nutrient availability and microbial activity. It is broadcast-applied either pre-plant or post-harvest in conventional and organic programs and can be blended with most dry fertilizers.
Growth Boost
Growth Boost is a powerful, liquid humic soil amendment made from high-quality Leonardite that gets your crops off to a strong start. It enhances nutrient uptake, stabilizes nitrogen and improves soil structure for fast, early growth. Growth Boost is compatible with most conventional liquid inputs and can be applied in-furrow, 2x2, or foliar or broadcast sprayed depending on timing. Growth Boost is non-toxic, safe to handle and contains no microbes or bacteria and can be applied to most soils and crops.
Growth Supplement 30
Growth Supplement 30 is a foliar applied nutrient stabilizer. It stimulates plant metabolism, transports nutrients in plants, dissolves macro and micro elements, and enhances cell division and elongation. Containing plant derived fulvic acids, Growth Supplement 30 is compatible with most conventional herbicides.