According to a recent survey, more farmers are aware of agricultural biologicals compared to two years ago, and more farmers are using biologicals in their cropping program than were two years ago. Those findings are from a new study, Ag Biologicals: Revisiting Farmer Value, Perception and Potential.

Since 2022, when a similar study was conducted, the percentage of row crop farmers saying they are aware of biologicals and their potential value increased from 83% to 87%. Farmers who report having used one or more biological products in row crop production also increased, to 45% — approaching half of all farmers in the survey.

Cam Camfield, CEO of Stratovation Group, which conducted the survey, says, “As we continue to see these numbers rise, it’s clear that biologicals are not just a trend, but have become a pivotal component in the present and future of agriculture.”

The Fertilizer Institute, Agricultural Retailers Association, and D.C. Legislative and Regulatory Services, which is a bipartisan government relations firm, partnered with Stratovation. Companies providing support to make the study possible included Meristem Crop Performance, Pivot Bio, Syngenta and the Biological Products Industry Alliance.

Disease predictor patented

Evergreen FS, Bloomington, Ill., part of Growmark, was awarded a U.S. patent for its Crop Disease Protection and Associated Methods and Systems tool. What makes the patent noteworthy is that the tool uses direct-to-machine learning systems to predict onset of crop diseases. Spokespersons say the patent leverages data science and artificial intelligence together to both predict and indicate how to manage specific crop diseases.

The technology relies on predictive models, fueled by information collected about weather conditions, soils and pathogen pressure.

Why could this patent matter? Scott Plato of Evergreen FS notes that traditionally, fungicide applications are scheduled based on human decisions. Sometimes, treatments are applied too late. “The machine learning component has the benefit of compiling data and extrapolating insights that would otherwise go unseen by only relying on our human scouts to detect,” Plato explains.

Breakthrough in grain fumigation

CaptSystemes, a fumigation technology company known worldwide, unveiled a system at an international conference in Canada in late August that some believe will revolutionize grain fumigation. Fumigation happens when large world grain stocks and lower prices lead to more grain in storage for longer periods of time.

The product, PhosCapt-MP, is an updated version of an earlier system from the French company. The vastly improved device better regulates phosphine gas distribution, resulting in more effective fumigation, which means fewer insect issues in stored grain.

This new offering is more suited to conditions found in grain silos, company spokespersons say. It’s safer and works effectively in large bins and silos. Visit phoscapt-mp.com.

Ag Census trends

USDA Economic Research Service says trends in modern ag production are embedded in the latest Ag Census data. For example, ag economists with USDA conclude from census data that between 1997 and 2018, soybean seeding rates declined by 22%, while row width increased.

Seeding rate fell by more than 40,000 seeds per acre from 1997 to 2018:

Conversely, row width averaged 17 inches in 1997 but has been at 20 inches since 2012. Meanwhile, between 2002 and 2018, U.S. soybean yields rose by 30%.