Integrating Biologicals

Key considerations include individual farm goals, agronomic management, and on-farm trials.

- By Adrienne Held

Brooks Reid considers himself a farmer who pushes the limits and thinks outside the box on his farm in Brunswick, Missouri. Biologicals have found a place in his corn and soybean rotation. “Biologicals interest me because they aid in fertilizer uptake,” the central Missouri grower said. “I believe that’s the key to increased yield.”

In a 2024 survey conducted by the Stratovation Group consulting company, “Ag Biologicals: Revisiting Farmer Value, Perception, and Potential,” 45% of all row crop producers say they purchase or use biological products. That is up 8 percentage points from the group’s 2022 survey.

Despite the upward trend, confusion still exists about how and when biologicals work best and how to fit them into crop management plans.

What Are Biologicals?

Understanding the types of biologicals and what they do can help farmers better understand where to apply products, said Anne Runkel, vice president of research and development at Mosaic. Runkel defined biologicals as naturally occurring or naturally inspired compounds, extracts, or living organisms. The most commonly used products can be classified as biostimulants and nutrient enhancers.

“Biostimulants are activating the plant in some way; they provide some kind of signal or activation of normal plant processes to be most efficient,” Runkel said. “Nutrient enhancers are involved in making nutrients already in the soil available and increasing uptake.”

What Environmental Conditions Are Necessary?