Sound Agriculture’s flagship product, SOURCE, provides a new option for growers looking to support positive environmental practices and maintain or boost yield
SOURCE has been shown to provide the equivalent of 25-50 lbs of nitrogen per acre for corn growers, helping to optimise nitrogen application while improving return on investment (ROI).
Nitrogen is the most essential nutrient for plant growth, yet overuse of nitrogen fertilisers can have significant environmental consequences. The plant does not use up to 30-50% of applied nitrogen fertiliser. Unused fertiliser can pollute waterways, degrade soil health, and contribute to climate change by releasing nitrous oxide (N2O) into the atmosphere, which has 300 times the heat-trapping effect of carbon dioxide. In addition, nitrogen fertiliser is the most expensive nutrient input for growers, costing US$50-75 per acre for the average US corn farmer, up to 15% of overall operating costs.
SOURCE is a microbiome activator that unlocks both nitrogen and phosphorus to increase nutrient use efficiency. SOURCE stimulates the soil microbes that fix nitrogen and solubilise phosphorus, making optimal use of existing nutrients and providing a new option to growers looking to maximise profitability while supporting environmental wellbeing.
Four years of field trials show that growers can improve ROI multiple ways using SOURCE.
-Those who use nitrogen fertiliser efficiently can add SOURCE to increase corn yields an average of 7.5 bushels per acre with an 83% win rate.
-Those with less efficient nitrogen fertiliser practices can use SOURCE to provide the equivalent of 25-50 lbs of nitrogen per acre while maintaining yield, greatly reducing input costs.
Results from 2020 trials at multiple locations showed that using SOURCE enabled the reduction of 25 lbs of nitrogen while maintaining or increasing yield. SOURCE enabled the reduction of 50 pounds of nitrogen in certain locations and soil types while maintaining yield.
“We are using chemistry that enhances the natural abilities within the plant to improve yields and environmental outcomes without adding complexity for the grower,” said Adam Litle, CEO, Sound Agriculture. “SOURCE checks all the boxes. We sold out last year and, thanks to 10x higher production volume and top notch retail partners, are able to get SOURCE into the hands of more growers for the 2021 season.”
