Wednesday, February 14, 2024 — 2:00 – 2:40 p.m.

Previous to the marketing of commercial N-fixing products, there has been research into asymbiotic N-fixing organism activity and how it relates to tillage intensity, soil moisture and temperature. Studies from ten upper-midwest Universities were compiled on commercial asymbiotic product benefit to yield with and without their application to N rates on corn and other crops. The frequency of product benefit was rather low. Farmers are encouraged to be curious regarding new products, but to be skeptical. On-farm replicated experiments are possible using GPS, yield monitors and on-the-go site-specific application equipment. Testing should be used by farmers before they launch their whole farm into a product that sounds good.

The publication of the Midwest-USA experiments has resulted in discussions with biological startup companies on what they should consider so that their products would perform successfully in the field. These discussions always fell into four items of importance which will be shared in the presentation.