Key Takeaways:
- Meristem Crop Performance partners with the University of Illinois to study biological input effectiveness
- A $450,000 gift will fund graduate research on high-yield corn and soybean production
- The research will evaluate Meristem products like Hopper Throttle™ MaxStax™ and Excavator AMS with Cyclestrike™
- Third-party validation aims to support product development and practical use on farms
- University researchers emphasize the importance of applied research and grower-centered outcomes
Meristem Crop Performance Supports Independent Agricultural Research
Meristem Crop Performance has committed $450,000 over three years to support graduate research at the University of Illinois Crop Physiology Lab, as part of an effort to validate and enhance the performance of its biological input technologies. The funding reflects Meristem’s broader mission to help farmers increase yields while reducing input costs, using tools like its patented Bio-Capsule Technology™.
“Working with the research team led by Dr. Fred Below just makes sense. They’re the best in the business,” said Meristem Founder and CEO Mitch Eviston. “This third-party research will not only document the efficacy and value of products like Hopper Throttle™ MaxStax™ and Excavator AMS with Cyclestrike™, but also help guide future product development in the growing biological market.”
Meristem Crop Performance Partnership Builds on Proven Agronomic Frameworks
The University of Illinois Crop Physiology Lab, led by Dr. Fred Below, is known for influential agronomic models like the “Seven Wonders of the Corn Yield World” and the “Six Secrets of Soybean Success.” Meristem Crop Performance’s support enables the lab to continue field-level evaluations of crop inputs and management systems.
“We don’t develop products,” said Dr. Below. “We validate technologies and we show synergies for how companies and growers can get more out of those technologies. Partnerships like this with Meristem are beneficial for the grower, and they help us continue our work and train students.”
Meristem Crop Performance Enables Research on Biological Interactions
Dr. Connor Sible, a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, is working alongside Dr. Below to explore interactions between crop inputs, including biologicals. The unrestricted nature of the funding allows researchers to design experiments based on emerging trends in corn and soybean production systems.
“Farming is complicated,” said Sible. “If biologicals are really going to be the next big input sector, it’s going to come down to broad-scale education on things like handling these products and understanding the actives. That is really the value of this research.”
Future-Focused Collaboration for Practical Farm Solutions
With the partnership, Meristem Crop Performance continues to prioritize applied research and third-party validation. By investing in academic institutions and agronomic science, the company aims to better equip farmers with information and technologies that align with real-world production challenges.
The collaboration is designed to produce actionable insights for growers navigating complex cropping decisions, with Meristem Crop Performance positioning itself at the intersection of research, innovation, and on-farm performance.
Meristem Crop Performance
Meristem® Crop Performance, Inc. provides biological products aimed at supporting farm productivity. The company utilizes its patented BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology platform to deliver live, in-field biologicals.
Meristem works to reduce waste and improve efficiency in crop input systems by facilitating innovation access, optimizing supply chains, and offering concentrated agricultural inputs.
