INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE BY: KELLI SCHRAG, MKC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Since the beginning of agriculture, farmers have been innovating. They have had to change, adapt and create new farming practices. Technological advances such as modern implements, genetically improved crops and precision agriculture have allowed operations to be more profitable, efficient and sustainable. In the same way, the use and development of farm chemicals and fertilizers has transformed agricultural production. Going beyond apps, drones or farm machinery, technical and scientific advances in crop protection products have helped provide innovative solutions to farmers to maximize their field’s nutrients and yield potential. MKC, in line with its fourth key value of innovation, knows there is a wide new frontier for innovation and agriculture. As such, MKC has partnered with two soil health companies, Sound Agriculture and Prime Dirt, to bring innovative products to its member-owners.
SOUND AGRICULTURE
Sound Agriculture develops innovative solutions that unleashes the power of plants to help growers produce crops with fewer resources. The company’s first commercial product, Source, unlocks nitrogen and
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phosphorus in the soil by activating specific microbes, supporting plant and soil health. Recognizing its position as trusted advisors to farmers, MKC partnered with Sound Agriculture to bring this new technology to its member-owners. “Crop fertility, and specifically biologicals to improve nutrient uptake, is something farmers are really looking at,” says Nathan Larson, MKC regional sales manager in Manhattan. “When we looked at the previous research on Source, we wanted to include it in our own trials because we find it important to bring new products and ideas to farmers at the local level.” Larson took the lead on enabling MKC’s strategic account manager team to conduct trials throughout the state. Each strategic account manager conducted two trials in their respective area, putting Source on fields from central to northeast Kansas. Sprayed early in the season (V4 or V5 in corn), Source is tank mix compatible with any herbicide and can be broadcast applied. During the summer, Larson and the team pulled tissue samples to monitor nitrogen and phosphorus levels and track trends. “More times than not, we saw higher rates of nitrogen and phosphorus in the fields treated with Source
