Chris Kniffen | Director of Research
Revolutionizing Agriculture Backed by Research
2024 proved to be another productive field season for the Midwestern BioAg team. On farm trials increased in 2024 despite challenging planting conditions. We are extremely grateful for our producers and channel partners for engaging with us in this work. Thank you.
While Midwestern BioAg product innovation trials remain the capstone of the season, we also conducted farm system trials and agronomic solution innovation trials in 2024. Strong take ways in the stacked responses from TerraNu®, Bio-Gel®, and Bio-Cal® both collectively and when used individually were observed in multiple geographical areas and cropping systems.
From my perspective, it has been encouraging to see the practical application of biological farming principles developed into a toolbox and adapted to fit diverse farming systems. Strong wins in climate sensitive regions show promise and demonstrate the resiliency of biological farming systems.
Bio-Gel® a Simplified Mode of Action
Over the last year, Bio-Gel® technology underwent significant advancements resulting in new Bio-Gel® NSurge and Bio-Gel® RootSurge products. These products offer ease of application while maintaining the high effectiveness of Bio-Gel® technology, even at lower usage rates.
Bio-Gel® core technology benefits seen in NSurge and RootSurge liquid concentrate formulations:
• The specialized gelling mechanisms that control the release rate of Bio-Gel® ensured more consistent performance when paired with companion liquid fertilizers and biostimulants over time.
• A notable advantage of Bio-Gel® is its compatibility with a variety of agricultural products. It can be mixed with different fertilizers and biostimulants, enhancing their effectiveness and providing farmers with greater flexibility.
• This versatility made Bio-Gel® an essential tool for optimizing crop inputs and maximizing agricultural productivity for farmers in 2024.
Bio-Gel® + TerraNu®
Bio-Gel® was particularly effective when used in conjunction with TerraNu®, another high-performance product from Midwestern BioAg. Together, these two products significantly improved soil health and promoted plant growth. Their combined carbon fertilizer delivery systems proved essential, especially in climate-sensitive regions across the Dakotas and the Upper Midwest, where farmers face both economic and climatic challenges. These results, observed in the field trials, underscored the critical role of Bio-Gel® and TerraNu® in optimizing growing conditions and improving overall crop performance in these demanding environments. Particularly in protecting liquid fertilizer loss via leaching.
Soil Organic Carbon
Increased soil organic carbon levels during the growing season were observed. Mid-season increases in soil organic carbon were detected in 88% of the samples collected across a variety of soil and cropping systems. This increase in organic carbon played a vital role in enhancing soil structure and supporting the growth of beneficial microorganisms, both of which are essential for robust plant development.
Unlike any other product on the market, Bio-Gel® is an innovative carbohydrate-based hydrogel solution. Bio-Gel® ensures that more nutrients stay in the soil and are available to fuel crop growth effectively.
Improve Soil Moisture Retention Following Rainfall Events
Data from in-season soil moisture sensors in east-central Wisconsin showed that, at a depth of 3 inches, Bio-Gel®-treated soil retained moisture for 10 to 14 days longer than untreated soil. This extended moisture retention allowed crops to access water during drier periods, improving crop health and contributing to higher yields.
Bio-Gel® improved nitrogen availability and retention in the soil when applied with nitrogen fertilizers. By reducing nitrogen leaching, Bio-Gel® ensured that this essential nutrient remained available to plants for a longer period. As a carbohydrate-based retention agent, Bio-Gel® also helped manage the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio in fertilizers, optimizing nitrogen use efficiency and supporting stronger crop growth throughout the season. This ability to unlock nitrogen limitations is key to maximizing return on investment and yield potential.
For MORE DATA, visit our “Research & Results” page: https://midwesternbioag.com/research-results/