What do Bayer, Dow Chemical, Monsanto, BASF, and Syngenta
have in common? Obviously they are some of the largest players in the ag chem
industry but on top of their corporate size, they also have a very strong and
growing biological inoculant portfolio.
At this time the biological business is around the $218
million range and it is projected to go to about $420 million by 2020. That’s
nearly double in a few short years. So what do they know that enables them to
make such an aggressive projection? They know the biological system works and
farmers are increasingly buying into it.
According to recent articles, ag chemical companies like the
property called SAR, Systemic Acquired Resistance, which is triggered in the
plants by certain biological players. SAR is a natural way that plants can
defend themselves for insect and disease damage. Plant Growth Promoting
Rhizobacteria seem to be the main players that farms around the country are
using. They provide the SAR as well as ISR, Induced Systemic Resistance, along
with root and plant growth promoting nutrient mineralization and protections
from many soil diseases.
Why do I bring this up? As we are into harvest, I’m sure you
will see some things that could have gone better with your crop. Perhaps
looking at a PGPR inoculant for 2017 is a good idea. And the interesting point
to remember is that we at Ag Tech Services have been using PGPRs in our
programs for the past 13 years. I guess that puts us ahead of some of the big
boys.
Let us know if you are interested and we will get you up to
speed well before next planting season.
