Josh Hiemstra, a leader in the no-till farming industry, shared his experience working with our liquid biological, BIOACTIVE LiquiLife® (formerly known as Purple Cow CX-1).
The addition of a liquid biological to his fertility program increased yields, lowered fertility costs, and increased nutrient density. All of these factors contributed positively to his bottom line.
Fertility Efficiency
Josh Hiemstra - Rosendale, WI
- 2020 Local Lake Association Water Quality Award
- No-Till Farmer - Responsible Nutrient Management Award
Hiemstra's 700-acre farm went from 10k gallons UAN annually to 3,500 gallons.
In Josh's Words, Biology:
- Helped him get the most out of his manure and rotations.
- Climate-proofed his farm - wet or dry.
- Helped him take his soil "off food stamps" (additional nutrient inputs).
Nitrogen to Bushel Ratio Trial
Hiemstra planted corn with 3 different protocols, all 3 protocols have the same starter, which Josh refers to as his "soil primer."
The Trial
Starter, used on all protocols, is carbon, biology, and 103 units of nitrogen (N).
- 2 gallons of BIOACTIVE LiquiLife®
- 2 gallons boost with pre-herbicide
- 10 gallons 32% (33# N)
- 70# N from spring-applied liquid manure
Three Protocols
Protocol A: In addition to the starter above, a foliar of 4 gallons of BIOACTIVE LiquiLife® (biology) with 5 gallons of Amino 15 (carbon, food source, and amino N) was applied with a post herbicide pass at V-8 just prior to canopy. This foliar mix brought an additional 10# N from the amino 15 for a total of 113# N.
Protocol B: In addition to the starter above, 12 gallons 32% was y-dropped at V-8. With 40 units of N in this y-drop application, the total was 143# N.
Protocol C: Is only the starter from above, no foliar, these acres had a total of only 103# N.
2023 Corn Yield and Nitrogen Efficiency
Precision placement and split applications of carbon, minerals, and biology can have an immediate positive impact on yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). We typically see N:Bu ratios in the 0.6-0.7 range. N:Bu rates this impressive, take a few years to build.