AgBio Logic
Harnessing The Power of Nature for Sustainable Agriculture

Farmers have long strived to increase yield and achieve a greater return on investment (ROI) from their crops. While they cannot control intangibles like weather, they can apply fungicides, pesticides and add nutrients to be profitable. Because of today's higher cost of inputs and regulatory compliance, farmers are seeking ways to reduce and make more efficient use of these inputs. For example, when phosphorous (P) is tied up and unavailable to the plant finding an alternative to applying more (P) by freeing up (P) can be cost-effective and allow for better soil health.

Farmers today are increasingly aware of soil and plant health and are adopting biologicals as an agronomic practice. Biological is a broad term when relating to their use in agriculture. Dunham Trimmer, a premier market research company that focuses exclusively on the global biological agricultural markets, has compiled a biological chart with biologicals falling into three product categories: Biofertilizers – Biostimulants – Biological Controls. Biologicals can the derived from many sources. The most common are plants, bacteria, fungi, and certain minerals.

Jerry O’Dell, co-founder and owner of AgBio Logic, LLC, based in SC, USA, has been developing a market for biostimulants for the U.S. market since the company's inception in 1991. He says, “Biostimulants can be described best with the European Biostimulant Industry Council’s defining it as containing substances and/or microorganisms whose function when applied to plants or soil is to stimulate natural process to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress and crop quality.”

O’Dell believes using biostimulant product(s) with multiple modes of action and various substances and/or microorganisms will result in a higher and more consistent ROI. This differentiates AgBio Logic products from most being marketed in the U.S. Although, he sees a trend with products containing multiple biostimulants.

Their first product contained a combination of humic acids derived from leonardite ore and a seaweed extract manufactured by a Norwegian company. There have been numerous formulations since. The company’s flagship soil-applied product, Start Right 2.0, incorporates multiple biostimulants into a single product. It is a formulation of nutrients sequestered in a blend of concentrated carboxylates. These carboxylates mimic the secretions of beneficial soil microbes. It is fortified with fermented plant extracts, amino acids, ten plant vitamins, extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed, and sixteen select soil bacteria. Its unique formulation utilizes carboxylic acid, which helps reduce physiological stress from phosphate-bound calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and stress induced by excess sodium.

Start Right 2.0 has received a designation as a proven product by a major seed company for corn production predominately in the Mid-western states known as the corn belt.

The company’s foliar product line is called “Over The Top,” with each product formulated for the needs of a specific crop. For instance, its “Over The Top Soybeans D.S.” is a dry soluble containing carboxylic acid and seaweed extract along with a 6-0-18 analysis of nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium, and micro-macro nutrients of magnesium, sulfur, boron, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc.

As a pioneer in gathering data from field studies utilizing a combination of biostimulants and other nutrients, O’Dell was challenged in developing a market for biological use as an agronomic practice for crop production.

He soon realized that educating all sectors within the agricultural sector about the benefits biostimulants offer would be a key focus. He was most discouraged by the lack of interest by the agricultural product suppliers, the lack of their knowledge of the chemistry, and that most within the scientific community were not willing to conduct field trials. Even today, he is having some of the same reactions. This has caused him and other companies to conduct their own studies utilizing farmers using precession farming practices.

It remains a work in progress; however, biological use has become the fastest-growing segment within the crop inputs industry. It has been reported by industry sources to have had 8 percent growth in recent years and is predicted to continue that growth, with the U.S. being one of the fastest-growing worldwide.

In order to stay competitive, O’Dell keeps himself informed about the latest developments in the field and strives to generate new business and awareness. He is fortunate to work with a team of experts in understanding the chemistry and having the ability to formulate and manufacture quality products. AgBio Logic’s history and credibility earned over the years have positioned them well within a highly competitive industry.

AgBio Logic’s innovative agricultural solutions spanning a three-decade journey have consistently enhanced the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of farming operations. By harnessing the power of nature, they produce healthier crops while reducing negative environmental impact.