Enhancing Fertilizer Performance | From the Office of Chris Kniffen

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Kniffen, Christopher - Director of Research and Development

A New Approach to Fertilizer Delivery: Bio-Gel® Dry Fertilizer Coating 

In another set of trials spanning from central Iowa to southeastern Minnesota, Bio-Gel was applied as a coating to dry fertilizer blends. Early results have been encouraging, especially in alfalfa systems and soils with elevated salt levels.

Treated field are showing:

  • Higher leaf nitrogen content, suggesting more efficient nutrient uptake
  • Increased dry matter production in forages
  • Improved soil moisture retention, supporting stronger growth through dry spells
  • Better digestibility metrics (DOMI) in alfalfa, improving forage value

The coating appears to buffer salt stress and enhance fertilizer performance, even in soils with structural or salinity-related limitations. These early-season insights are shaping a compelling new use case for Bio-Gel in dry fertilizer applications.

Resilience in the High Plains: TerraNu® + Bio-Gel®

In the Western High Plains, where dryland farming demands high efficiency and resilience, combining TerraNu with Bio-Gel has proven to be a smart pairing. In trials across western North Dakota and eastern Montana, this combination helps crops make better use of every inch of moisture.

By reducing nutrient losses to immobilization and improving water availability, the TerraNuBio-Gel system is enabling consistent growth under stress. In high-CEC soils, where nutrients can often get tied up, this synergy is giving crops a better shot at season-long nutrition and performance.

Looking Ahead

Despite the ongoing challenges of weather variability, we remain optimistic with the opportunity to innovate. With each season, we strengthen our data capture, expand our validation efforts, and deepen our commitment to soil health driven systems. The 2025 season has brought valuable insights, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned and what lies ahead.

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