Key Takeaways:
- Meristem Crop Performance® announced a new research initiative, comparing traditional fertilizer practices to its lower-cost BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology across more than 70 field trials.
- The “Take Cost Out Proof Plots” span 10 Midwest states, using drone-powered applications to evaluate residue management and in-season crop nutrition.
- Meristem’s BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology delivers live microbes at the point of use, aiming to reduce dry fertilizer and seed treatment costs without sacrificing yield potential.
- The field trials feature a side-by-side approach, comparing traditional fall-applied NPK and liquid seed treatments against Meristem’s biological programs.
- Growers and researchers, including the University of Illinois, highlight the role of residue management and early planting in achieving higher soybean yields.
Meristem Crop Performance® Expands Research with “Take Cost Out Proof Plots”
Meristem Crop Performance® (Profile) announced the start of a major multi-state, drone-assisted research program, aiming to compare the effectiveness of traditional fertilizer methods with its patented BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology. The study includes more than 70 side-by-side 80-acre soybean plots across 10 states in the Midwest, with drone services provided by SweetWater Technologies.
One side of each field will receive conventional treatments like fall-applied NPK and full liquid seed treatments, while the other side will apply Meristem’s approach—reduced dry fertilizer, EXCAVATOR® AMS powered by CYCLESTRIKE™, and seed treatments applied directly at planting with HOPPER THROTTLE™ MaxStax™ Soybean and other biological products.
Mitch Eviston, Founder and CEO of Meristem, emphasized the program’s goal: “These proof plots will dispel any remaining doubt about the BIO-CAPSULE’s ability to help farmers take cost out and still get more bushels.”
Meristem Crop Performance® Highlights BIO-CAPSULE™ Benefits for Cost-Effective Farming
At the center of this effort is Meristem Crop Performance®’s BIO-CAPSULE™ Technology, which aims to provide live, vigorous biologicals at the point of use, offering a simpler and more affordable alternative to traditional liquid seed treatments.
“Soybean farmers can take up to $100 per acre from their traditional dry fertilizer and liquid seed treatment costs and still go for more bushels,” said Shane Brockhoff, Meristem’s VP of Sales for the Western U.S. He pointed to the natural nutrient availability in soil residues, emphasizing the BIO-CAPSULE’s role in unlocking these resources efficiently.
Farmers like Nick Fries of Summit View Farms have already adopted Meristem’s EXCAVATOR AMS technology, citing its ease of use and benefits in residue management.
Field Research Supported by University Studies and Farmer Experience
Meristem’s broader investment in the Take Cost Out Proof Plots builds on research from academic institutions like the University of Illinois. Studies highlight that early planting, residue breakdown, and in-season nutrition are key factors in increasing soybean yields.
Connor Sible, PhD, of the University of Illinois Crop Science Department, emphasized that “early planting can help you get more nodes, more pods, and more soybeans per acre,” but it also requires consistent feeding throughout the growing season to maximize benefits.
Meristem’s field data aims to show that managing crop residue effectively and integrating biological inputs can result in strong plant stands and yield improvements, supporting farmers’ efforts to maintain productivity while controlling costs.
Looking Ahead: Meristem Crop Performance® Focuses on Farmer Autonomy and Innovation
Through its research and product innovation, Meristem Crop Performance® aims to offer farmers more control over input decisions, particularly by promoting the use of naked seed treated directly at the planter. According to Brockhoff, the BIO-CAPSULE approach simplifies the process, reduces input costs, and delivers live microbial solutions more efficiently than traditional methods.
Drone applications of EXCAVATOR AMS with CYCLESTRIKE, and later foliar treatments with HARVESTSHIELD Complete and HOMESTRETCH NKB-S, are integral to the trial program, aiming to demonstrate full-season management benefits.
