Biologicals

These biological products have the ability to increase germination, improve nutrient uptake, enhance nutrient-use efficiency and increase tolerance to and recovery from abiotic stresses.

Jimmy Frederick attributes 163.9 bu. soybeans to seed population, spacing and biologicals. Essentially, he says the booming yields were established when the planter rolled.

While biologicals aren’t new to the ag industry, there is still trepidation about them. Farmers wonder if they work and what they actually do—all of which impacts their likelihood of trying these products.

For the past six years CNBC has created a “Disruptor 50” list, that features private companies with innovations changing the world. This year, three agricultural companies made the list.

Industry investment and scientific breakthroughs could help close the yield gap