Key Questions You Should Be Asking Before Investing in Biological Solutions>>
By 2026, the biologicals market is predicted to triple its size when compared to 10 years prior. This exponential growth is driven by a new interest in agricultural sustainable practices.
The term ‘biologicals’ has been around for a while, but lately, it has touched more categories of products, leaving many growers confused about what they really are and what they can do to improve crop performance. Most of all, the question that remains is, are they really worth the investment?
Let’s analyze it further.
When I Say Biologicals, You Say What?
When we hear the term biologicals it could mean something different to all of us. Today, the ag industry divides them into a few categories:
Bio Fertilizers
These materials will have a specific microbial component in the ingredients. They also carry very specific targets of activity to improve nutrient use efficiency and uptake. These are also known to encourage microbial activity involved with that mode of action. These can be scientifically defined within the article here, but recent federal legislative action has further “codified” what a Bio Fertilizer is.
Bio Stimulants
This category of “biologicals” are specifically classified as substances that enhance plant growth and development. They often improve the plant’s nutrient use efficiency, stress tolerance, and other physical processes. They can also have an impact on soil microbial function depending on the mode of action.
Bio Pesticides
These materials have specific targets of activity. Shelf life and tank mixing with other synthetic inputs can sometimes be a challenge and so the compatibility should be a key consideration. They tend not to persist in the environment for long. They will minimize broad spectrum eradication of pests and resistance. These proucts can be cost-prohibitive.
Soil Amendments
These materials are a microbial-friendly medium. Can sometimes contain a nutrient analysis. They generally have activity on other physical soil attributes such as soil organic matter, aggregation, and water capillary response.
Key Questions to Consider How a Biological Product May Fit Into Your Operation
The big question is: can biological products help large-scale growers in their current production systems? The broad answer is yes.
Due diligence is essential to making any choices on the farm. Here are some key questions you might consider to ensure that you fully understand if and how that product may fit into your operation.
1) What is this product’s purpose?
• Can it improve soil fertility?
• Will it control pests?
• Does this enhance plant growth or health?
• Does it address a specific vulnerability in my operation?
2) Is it compatible with current practices?
• Can I tank mix it?
• What are the PPE considerations?
• Does my current application equipment work with it?
• Will it affect any other aspects of my IPM?
3) What is the scientific basis?
• Can I verify studies outside of marketing materials?
• Are trials randomized, replicated, or 3rd party validated?
• Can you get some grower testimony contacts?
• Are the trials in alignment with my production system?
4) Application and Timing
• Is the recommended application clear and achievable?
• Do I understand rates and timing to maximize efficacy?
• Am I willing and able to do some trials within my own operation?
5) Cost-benefit analysis?
• Am I prepared to evaluate the addition of a product to compare costs of product versus potential yield impacts, and estimate or calculate a return on investment?
6) Will this benefit my operation and the environment?
• Am I reducing my Carbon Intensity Score?
• Am I minimizing my negative ecosystem impact?
• Does integrating this support my goals for soil quality, water quality, or recovery?
• Does this add value to increasing my soil organic matter?
TIMAC AGRO Solutions in the Biological Space
TIMAC AGRO, a pioneer in natural extracts-based technologies, is at the forefront of innovation for biologicals, having introduced its first commercialized bio stimulant platform to the market back in the 1980s. In a 60+ year-old company, biologicals have been part of the portfolio for two-thirds of its existence. Check out our story here.
Throughout the past four decades, TIMAC AGRO has continuously invested in research, creating new innovations but also validating the patented technologies that have succeeded in fields across the world.
But just so we are clear, TIMAC AGRO is not a live microbes or “bugs in a jug” company. Through our holistic approach to efficient crop management systems, we are a global leader in providing technologies that enhance the plants’ natural response mechanisms, supports the soils nutrient cycling potential, and fosters restorative microbial interactions. Our technologies allow nature to shine.
Below are a few categories of our products that fit the biological conversation and benefit soil health.
DUO MAXX®
DUO MAXX® is a fertilizer additive intended for the treatment of liquid and granular fertilizer blends with N and P but can also be used on surface-applied or injected P and K.
It is composed of:
- Humic and fulvic acids
- Amino acids
- Plant extracts and algae
This technology supports:
- Nitrogen-fixing microbes
- Phosphorus solubilizing bacterias
- Potassium mobilization microbes
- Plant growth regulating rhizobacters
FERTIACTYL®
FERTIACTYL® is a bio stimulant. All its formulations can be applied in-furrow, banded, or side-dressed. They can also be applied foliar during early vegetative development.
It is composed of:
- Seaweed extracts
- Humic and fulvic acids
- Amino acids
This technology supports:
- Nitrogen-fixing microbes
- Phosphorus solubilizing bacterias
- Potassium mobilization microbes
- Plant growth regulating rhizobacters
NUTRIRHIZE®
NUTRIRHIZE® is a bio stimulant that can be used as the sole potassium source or blended with other granular fertilizers.
It is composed of:
- Seaweed extracts
This technology supports:
- Nitrogen-fixing microbes
- Phosphorus solubilizing bacterias
- Potassium mobilization microbes
- Plant growth regulating rhizobacters
HUMIFLORE
HUMIFLORE is a soil amendment. It works well on manured or composted fields, orchards, vineyards, vegetables, and fruits. It can be used alone or blended with other granular fertilizers.
It is composed of:
- Seaweed extracts
This technology supports:
- Nitrogen-fixing microbes
- Phosphorus solubilizing bacterias
- Potassium mobilization microbes
- Plant growth regulating rhizobacters
How to Know Where to Invest? Sample, sample, sample!
But how do you measure how you’re doing with your biological performance on your farm? Well, sometimes you don’t know you’re sick until you go get a checkup.
You have to know your baseline to understand where you’re at. Farmers are already used to working with soil samples on their farms. But what kind of testing is being done? Are they giving you information about biological health as well? Probably not.
Traditional methods test the soil content, the ppm of nutrients. Unfortunately, these have conditioned us to think that if we put more parts per million out there, we should be able to extract more bushels per acre. And it is simply not that linear.
So, ideally, you should start to create a baseline, a background around what your biological story is at your farm, and get familiarized with each of the fields that you touch in a way that is biologically focused. Here are some nontraditional soil sampling methodologies that can be used for this:
· Haney soil health data with h3a extraction
· BECROP microbial DNA profiling
· 24-hour CO2 burst, wet aggregate stability
· PFLA – microbial biomass
· POXC – carbon content
· In-field water infiltration testing
These tests provide different levels of information. They’re going to help you to understand how healthy your soil biology is today. And then, as you make decisions over time with the implementation of fertilizer additives, bio stimulants or some type of biological product, you might be able to start understanding the impacts and values of various products.
Making the decision to invest in biological solutions starts with environmental responsibility stewardship. As a farmer, you probably want to make sure that your children have the opportunity to continue to carry on and operate your farm business. And so it means that you should look into how you can treat our resources to make sure that it is sustainable for the next generation.
TIMAC AGRO’s team is here to assist you on this quest. Our team of Agronomic Technical Consultants can answer your questions on the topic and help you make the best decisions that will make sense for your farm and your operation as you make plans for today and tomorrow.
Contact a TIMAC AGRO Expert to learn more.