Key Takeaways
- Pivot Bio has introduced RETAIN™ Dry, a new dry planter box formulation for sorghum growers to apply nitrogen-fixing microbial technology.
- The product expands application flexibility, adding a dry seed treatment to existing liquid in-furrow and on-seed options.
- RETAIN™ Dry includes essential micronutrients such as zinc, iron, and manganese to support microbial nitrogen fixation and early plant growth.
- The formulation is designed to treat up to 500 acres per package and is currently available in 15 U.S. states.
- Pivot Bio is increasing domestic production and lowering prices to assist farmers amid global fertilizer market volatility.
Pivot Bio Expands Nitrogen Solutions for Sorghum
Pivot Bio, a leading provider of innovative agricultural technology, has announced the launch of RETAIN™ Dry. This new planter box application is designed to assist sorghum growers in incorporating nitrogen-fixing microbial technology into their existing crop nutrition programs. The product represents the latest innovation in the company's effort to provide scalable, sustainable nitrogen solutions.
By introducing a dry formulation, Pivot Bio now offers three distinct application methods for its RETAIN™ product line: liquid in-furrow, on-seed, and dry planter box. This variety is intended to give farmers greater operational flexibility when integrating microbial technology into their planting workflows.
Technical Benefits of Pivot Bio Technology
RETAIN™ Dry is applied directly to the seed at the time of planting. Beyond the microbial components, the formulation includes a suite of micronutrients including zinc, iron, manganese, boron, copper, and molybdenum. These elements are included to support the assimilation of nitrogen and the health of the microbial colony on the plant's roots.
“RETAIN Dry expands how growers can access Pivot Bio’s nitrogen solutions, which enables microbial nitrogen fixation on the plant’s root,” said Travis Frey, Ph.D., chief technology officer at Pivot Bio. “By offering a planter box application option for sorghum, we’re making it even easier for farmers to apply our technology at planting while improving operational flexibility.”
Enhancing Field Performance
The new formulation focuses on both biological efficiency and mechanical performance. Key benefits reported by Pivot Bio include improved seed flowability and singulation, which aids in precise planting. Furthermore, the treatment is designed to enhance early plant growth, leading to larger root systems and faster canopy closure in sorghum crops.
Growers can apply the product using various on-farm methods, such as calibrated dry additive feeders on seed tenders or via layering during seed loading. Each package of RETAIN™ Dry is engineered to treat approximately 500 acres of sorghum.
Pivot Bio Availability and Market Strategy
The launch follows the recent introduction of Pivot Bio PROVEN® G3 for corn and Pivot Bio CERT-N™ Dry for cotton. RETAIN™ Dry is currently available to growers in 15 states, including major sorghum-producing regions such as Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
In response to ongoing uncertainty and volatility in global fertilizer markets, Pivot Bio has confirmed it is increasing the production of its domestically manufactured nitrogen solutions. The company is also lowering prices to provide more predictable input costs for farmers as the planting season begins.
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