Key Takeaways
- SATCHUR8™ is helping Mid-Atlantic farmers reduce herbicide re-sprays and improve return on investment.
- Field experience shows increased herbicide efficacy on large-seeded broadleaf weeds.
- The additive was tested through the Willard Farm Performance System before commercial rollout.
- Reduced spray passes lower both direct costs and time demands for growers.
- The technology aligns weed control efficiency with environmental stewardship goals.
SATCHUR8™ Demonstrates Field-Level Benefits in Weed Control
An innovative spray tank additive known as SATCHUR8™ is gaining traction among Mid-Atlantic growers by improving herbicide performance and reducing the need for repeat applications. Joshua Towson, a grower in York County, Pennsylvania, has reported measurable benefits from using the product during the 2024 growing season.
Towson explained that SATCHUR8™ showed particular effectiveness on large-seeded broadleaf weeds when paired with glyphosate and ENLIST®. According to Towson, weeds that typically require multiple applications were effectively controlled within a week.
“The biggest benefit I saw was on large-seeded, broadleaves,” Towson said, noting that the improved control eliminated the need for a costly second spray pass. He added that avoiding re-sprays can save approximately $15 per acre, not including labor and time constraints during peak spraying windows.
Willard Farm Performance System Validates Technology
SATCHUR8™ reached Mid-Atlantic growers following several years of field evaluation through the Willard Farm Performance System (FPS), a testing and validation platform operated by Willard Agri-Service LLC. The FPS combines on-farm trials with agronomic support to assess emerging technologies under real-world conditions.
Mike Twining, Vice President of Innovation at Willard Agri-Service, said the system is designed to help growers improve profitability while maintaining environmental responsibility.
“When we avoid re-sprays, that’s real money,” Twining said. He noted that in historically challenging weed control scenarios, fields treated with SATCHUR8™ saw spray passes reduced by more than 50 percent during the previous season.
SATCHUR8™ Technology Origins and Mode of Action
From Healthcare to Crop Production
SATCHUR8™ was originally developed for medical applications, where it was designed to help cancer drugs adhere to tumors for extended effectiveness. This same adhesion technology was later adapted for agricultural use by Planet Earth Agronomy, a Midwest-based agronomic research company.
According to Twining, the additive consists of microscopic filament structures that help herbicides adhere to weed foliage and release over time. This extended contact increases the likelihood of successful weed control under variable field conditions.
Supporting Grower Decision-Making
Willard Agri-Service emphasized that technologies introduced through the FPS are only recommended after consistent field performance is demonstrated. Billy Willard, CEO of Willard Agri-Service, said the goal is to provide growers with objective guidance in an increasingly complex input landscape.
“Agriculture is complex, and we need a more rigorous, systematic approach to evaluating innovative technology,” Willard said.
The company stated that SATCHUR8™ reflects its broader effort to help growers achieve higher net returns per acre while safeguarding land productivity for future generations.
