Overheard at Farm Progress

It felt great to be back in person and talking with growers face-to-face at the 2021 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. The Pivot Bio team was definitely ready to showcase our products, and it gave us a chance to connect with farmers to learn more about their successes, challenges, ideas and opinions. While we covered a lot of ground over the course of the show, there were several trending topics that I see sticking around through 2022 and beyond.

• Harvest comes early this year. With recent weather patterns pointing to a drydown across the Corn Belt, Harvest 21 was top of mind for growers, with some attendees leaving the show early to go start up the combine.
• A focus on water management. It is no secret that heavy rainfalls and droughts are increasing. As we approach 2022, you can look for an uptick in growers who will be using water management tools to help mitigate these environmental challenges.
• Importance of long-term soil health. Farmers are already doing so much to preserve their land and soils for future generations and now more than ever they are focused on soil biology. They understand that at the end of the day, the biological makeup of the soil is the primary driver of nutrient cycling. Growers are looking for new tools to help better understand their soils and are looking to implement ways in which they can achieve long-term soil health for generations to come.
• Nitrogen management matters. From the high input cost of synthetic fertilizers, the lack of dependability of synthetic due to volatilization and leaching, to increasing concerns about agriculture’s role in the release of the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, farmers across the country are looking for better ways to improve their nitrogen management practices.
• When it comes to tackling climate change, farmers want a seat at the table. Whether it is about weighing in on the latest and greatest trends in ag-tech or having their voice heard when it comes to current conversations around sustainability, farmers make our planet their priority day in and day out and they are eager to be a part of climate improvement efforts. They have much to contribute.
• Interested in Pivot Bio’s technology. In line with several of the topics previously listed, growers are excited about how Pivot Bio microbes can benefit their operation. From having a product that is more dependable, to using fewer inputs, which enhances soil health and helps preserve their soil assets, growers see how Pivot Bio can partner with them to make their lives easier, crops more productive and farming more sustainable.

The return of the Farm Progress Show was successful, and I am already looking forward to the next one.

If you didn’t have a chance to attend the show and want to connect with someone near you about Pivot Bio, we would love to hear from you! To find your nearest rep visit our Sales Rep Locator.