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News Releases March 2, 1999 New Inoculant Technology Can Net Profitable Returns In Soybeans Soybean inoculation can provide healthy returns at harvest, according to recent research from Dr. Jim Beurlein, Extension Agronomist at The Ohio State University. His tests in 1998, the fourth year of the program, involved six test sites with eight replications each. The results showed profitable returns, especially from the newer, more advanced inoculant products he tested. "The average yield increase has been three bu./ac., and the cost of the inoculation is normally $1 to $2 per acre, leaving a profit of about $13 per acre," he states. "The test fields were typically in a corn-soybean rotation, had good fertility, appropriate pH values and were very productive. We have had good results in both tilled and no-tilled fields. Many producers can expect this level of profitability from inoculating their soybean seed." The soybean inoculant with the highest, most consistent returns was HiStickÒ Soybean Inoculant, a product of MicroBio Ltd. "HiStick is a high-quality product that is loaded with a very high number of bacterial spores," he says. "The carrier is sterile as a result of gamma radiation. It is a clean product that does not have any other organisms in it. "The count of cells is extremely high," continues Beuerlein. "It sticks on the seed, and still flows well through drills and planters. There are not a lot of planter problems with HiStick. In terms of yield response, it has only been beaten one time in my 22 trials, and that was by a new experimental USDA strain that is not yet available commercially. HiStick is probably the highest quality product on the market today--and also the most productive." In Beuerlein’s 1998 test, HiStick had an average yield increase of 7.1 bu./ac. The USDA experimental inoculant strain resulted in a yield increase of 7.7 bu./ac. Marty Robinson, Regional Sales Manager for MicroBio in Cedar Rapids, IA, says HiStick Soybean Inoculant has a guaranteed high count of Rhizobia. "Each gram of HiStick is guaranteed to contain two billion live, viable, Rhizobium for up to two years from the label date on the package," says Robinson. "We use a sterile, peat based carrier and our quality control standards are very strict. That’s why we are able to guarantee the high Rhizobium numbers, which are crucial to product performance and return on investment. "HiStick also has a patented sticker that provides excellent seed coverage, and a safener that protects it from most seed treatments," explains Robinson. "Plus, HiStick works well in all drills and planters, including air seeders. It is easy to apply and comes in two package sizes. The 14-oz. pack treats eight bushels of soybeans, and the 56-oz. unit treats 32 bushels. Good, 12 volt-powered inoculators are now available for less than $300 to apply inoculant on bulk seed systems. HiStick is distributed exclusively in the U. S. by Helena Chemical Company. For more information, contact any Helena location or call Marty Robinson at 319-395-7370. |