DPH Biologicals Expands Research to Quantify Potential of Biologicals

DPH Biologicals is embarking on a multi-year effort to quantify the comprehensive value potential of biologicals – a concept they are calling BioAgonomics.

“DPH Bio has been committed to science that yields results from day one. Based on multi-year field research and through collaborations with our partners, we aim to provide customers a deeper understanding of the distinct value potential unlocked by biologicals,” said Mick Messman, president and CEO of DPH Bio. 

The company’s BioAgonomics project will focus on the connection between agronomic practices in crop production and the value provided by biologicals. By collaborating with trusted advisors, such as researchers at University of Illinois, they plan to collect and evaluate data to calculate biologicals’ comprehensive value to growers in aspects beyond yield.

“Although yield is an important metric, we believe it’s critical for growers to be able to measure the holistic value of biologicals in the field and across their entire business,” Messman said. “As we expand our portfolio and industry partnerships, we are pioneering the concept of ‘BioAgonomics’ to capture and maximize the full value proposition of biological solutions. As we further analyze the data, we are seeing some interesting trends based on management practices and soil conditions.”

Messman shares that while return-on-investment has traditionally meant the cost to increase yield, many biologicals deliver more in the long run, such as improved soil health, water use efficiency and disease control. BioAgonomics will also assign value to factors such as more uniform seedling emergence, reduced farm equipment wear and tear, reduction of the disease host, improved plant standability, and the retention and conversion of carbon within the soil.

“With advanced scientific research and on-farm trials, results can easily be seen in the field, but we aspire for more,” he said. “The pivotal convergence of biologicals, agronomy and economics holds the key for a triple bottom-line impact by improving crop production, land stewardship and rural livelihoods. Looking ahead, and in collaboration with our partners, our mission is to give growers an even clearer, comprehensive view of their investment in biologicals.”