Three Goals When Evaluating Biologicals

Biologicals are the fastest-growing product category in the crop protection business. “We’ve been approached by about 750 different companies that want to sell us biologicals and get a private label with us,” said Andrew Scholtz, CHS retail product specialist. “So far, we’ve brought three biological products to the market so you can imagine how saturated that market really gets.” Scholtz, who serves western South Dakota and southwestern North Dakota, said CHS has three goals when evaluating biostimulants. The product must be easy to use, cost-effective, and evaluated closely. When used correctly, these products can lay the foundation for the rest of the season. “When we look at early-season conditions like drought or the flip side with cool weather conditions, the biostimulants help with those kinds of things, getting that seed up and out of the ground. With the nutrient package, we’re looking to foster that early-season seed vigor and improve emergence.” In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Scholtz also discusses the dry weather concerns in the western Dakotas and highlights new products from the CHS lineup, Abivium and Soiltrate.