Across the Corn Belt there is growing understanding of soil health and its role in the future of agricultural production.
“For me, the soil health gains from balanced ratios of carbon, fungi, and bacteria are crucial — something I’ve honed over the past year,” said Kent Klingbeil, CCA, owner of 2K Ag, LLC in Huxley, Iowa. “We’re gaining real insights into soil fungi, bacterial cycles, and reintroducing carbon. This is unlocking a deeper grasp of the carbon cycle and actionable ways to revive our soils, so they can naturally cycle nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients.”
Practices including no-till/conservation tillage, planting cover crops and precision nutrient management plans are being adopted on a growing number of acres to better steward soil health, improve water quality and reduce production costs. Klingbeil is a dealer for Meristem Crop Performance, in part, because the products have been designed to work in concert with these practices and the soil biology.
Meristem is the global leader in the delivery of living biological crop inputs through the patented Bio-Capsule Technology™ Delivery System, including plant biostimulants and EPA registered BioDefense products. Because the active ingredients in these products are naturally derived, they have inherent value for improving and maintaining soil health while also providing plant protection, improved fertilizer use efficiency and yield gains.
“Meristem’s products give us tools that are boosting our soil health — and that’s key to unlocking higher yields and stronger farm profitability down the line,” Klingbeil said.
Excavator® AMS with Cyclestrike® LR
Big corn yields, reduced tillage and cover crops all increase crop residue containing valuable nutrients for the next crop in the rotation. In place of a tillage pass, more growers are managing residue and nutrients with Excavator AMS. This is the industry’s leading, and first, all-in-one blend of water conditioning agent (ammonium sulfate) and surfactants to facilitate fertility/nutrient release and residue breakdown. Managing residue in conservation tillage also improves emergence for the following crop and reduces potential host material for harmful pathogens. In addition, the microbes in Excavator AMS build improved soil tilth and increase soil biological activity. Independent research shows that a pass with Excavator AMS releases 40 to 60 pounds of N, P and K from residue 45 to 60 days after application.
It has long been understood that salinity has a negative impact on crop production and soil health, making the low salt index of Upshift C Plus (which is 4.1 compared to a salt index of 48 for 10-34-0) one of many benefits of the new product for 2026 planting. Upshift C Plus dry concentrate starter is a user-friendly, 12-58-0 formulation with active, EDTA chelated zinc for better enzyme metabolic reaction and added phenolic acid compounds to assist with early season abiotic stress. The cost-effective at-plant or foliar fertility product includes ether, which serves as a catalyst to unlock the full potential of the soil’s nutrient and water resources. The patented enzyme package in Upshift C Plus unlocks nutrients. Phosphatase enzymes release phosphate in the soil; mannanase enzymes break down starches that surround the outermost layer of the root tip, ultimately boosting root growth and microbial activity. The result is a win for farm ROI and a net benefit to soil health.
Maintain™ Elite and N-Gear® Dual Action
Maintain Elite manages nitrogen during crucial growth stages of the crop and is specifically formulated for anhydrous ammonia, UAN, and manure. N-Gear Dual Action nitrogen stabilizer has 20% NBPT for 14-21 days of protection — considerably higher than most multi-mode products on the market. It is specifically formulated for urea and UAN and can be used with multiple fertilizer sources.
These products both extend nitrogen availability and uptake while reducing the leaching of nitrogen into groundwater and not harming soil biologicals or beneficial bacteria. Both are sources of carbon to enhance nitrogen capture and increase the uptake of nutrients by the plant.
“We want to help American farmers understand how Meristem products can take cost out, produce more bushels for less, and add income from their regenerative practices to enhance soil health on their farms,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem Founder and CEO. “Our product platform at Meristem fits perfectly with farms looking to build soil health and all of the benefits that come along with it.”
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