Understanding biologicals and biostimulants

As our guest predicts in this episode, “biologicals and biostimulants aren’t going away anytime soon.” Dairy Stream host Joanna Guza and Dr. Connor Sible, postdoctoral research associate with the crop physiology lab in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois, explains the basics with understanding biologicals and biostimulants. This episode is split into two parts with the first part covering biologicals and the second part covering biostimulants. We discuss the following topics below:

• Basic definition
• How it works
• What to do before adding a product
• Challenges
• How it fits into a farm input plan
• Other management practices to get the full economic benefit

Special thanks to Pivot Bio for sponsoring this episode.

About the guest:

• Dr. Connor Sible is a Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Crop Physiology Lab in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. Originally from northern Illinois, he received his degrees in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois where his graduate studies focused on categorization and best management practices in the use of biologicals and biostimulants for row crops. His current research focuses on nutrient use efficiency of corn and soybean systems with specializations in residue management and nitrogen retention systems. 

Resources:

• Department of Crop Sciences – Crop Physiology at the University of Illinois
• Connor’s email: sible2@illinois.edu
• Getting the most out of biostimulants
• Role of Biologicals in Enhancing Nutrient Efficiency in Corn and Soybean

This podcast is co-produced by the Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, sister organizations that fight for effective dairy policy in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C.  Become a sponsor, share an idea or feedback by emailing podcast@dairyforward.com.