Recent study among US row crop farmers shows increasing awareness and use of biologicals

Study sponsored by Meristem Crop Performance, Pivot Bio, BPIA and Syngenta, with strategic support from The Fertilizer Institute, Agricultural Retailers Association and DCLRS

PUBLISHED ON 14 August 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The use of organic agricultural products continues to be a fast-growing topic. Row crop farmers report that their use of these innovative crop protection products has increased by 8 percentage points over the past two years. According to a recent study by the Stratovation Group, overall awareness of organic products among row crop farmers has also increased by 4 percentage points during that time period.

The new study, “Ag Biologicals: Revisiting Farmer Value, Perception and Potential,” follows two years on from Stratovation Group’s groundbreaking benchmark study of biologics use in U.S. row crops. During that time, awareness of biologics among row crop farmers increased from 83% in 2022 to 87%. Awareness of specific subcategories, biostimulants and biofertilizers, each increased by 14 percentage points.

“The ever-growing awareness and use of organic agricultural products among U.S. row crop farmers is a testament to the innovative power of the sector and the undeniable value these sustainable inputs bring to modern agricultural practices,” said Cam Camfield, CEO of Stratovation Group. “As we continue to see increasing numbers, it is clear that organic products are not just a trend, but have become a central part of the present and future of agriculture.”

As with the first organics study, influential agricultural groups, including the Fertilizer Institute, the Agricultural Retailers Association and DCLRS, a nonpartisan government relations agency, joined the Stratovation Group as strategic partners. The goal of the updated study, as with the first study, was to determine U.S. row crop growers' opinions on these still relatively new, natural crop inputs among traditional row crop growers.

Nearly half (45%) of all row crop producers report currently purchasing or using organic agricultural products in their fields, but this number is 8 percentage points higher than the 2022 benchmark survey. Farmers who use organic products in their row crop fields continue to rate them positively, and yield increase was by far the most common measure of success among organic adopters (85%), followed by profitability (45%).

“Farmers who apply biological crop protection products to their corn, soybeans and other row crops consistently told us they view these natural additions as sustainable tools that increase yields, improve profitability and benefit soil health,” Camfield shared. “We will continue to track these sentiments going forward, but if you look at all the market indicators in and outside of our study, this class of crop protection products is on a steep upward trajectory.

“To our surprise, the numbers were consistently higher than those in the benchmark study. However, we also learned that much additional education is needed to help this market reach its full potential. Organic companies should continue to take the enlightened approach of sharing their performance results widely with influential farmers as well as their trusted crop advisors and agronomists.”

The study delved deeply into related topics including farmer demographics, farm team composition and capabilities, selected on-farm practices, preferred retail channels and trusted partners. The research also looked at awareness, perception and definition of key terms, organic purchasing history, usage, practices and future intentions, and awareness of leading organic companies and brands.

The comprehensive results and a deeper look into our 139-page research presentation are available for purchase.

“As a service to agriculture, we felt it was important to share some of the most insightful top-line results,” Camfield said. “We couldn't resist sharing this information because the results are overwhelmingly positive and that bodes well for biological control products increasing the efficiency and sustainability of the entire row crop sector.”

“The increasing use of organic agrofertilizers represents a significant shift not only in farming practices but also in the overall food and agriculture policy landscape,” said Jay Vroom, strategic advisor to DCLRS. “As these innovative inputs gain traction, they promise significant economic benefits through increased crop yields and profitability. In addition, their potential to improve soil health and reduce dependence on traditional chemical fertilizers aligns with society's sustainability aspirations. Policymakers must take note of these advances and consider supportive policies that encourage the continued use and integration of organic fertilizers into mainstream agriculture.”

Most farmers who do not currently use biological control products would be willing to try them if their cost-effectiveness could be further demonstrated.

Sponsoring companies and organizations that made the research possible with their support included Meristem Crop Performance, Pivot Bio, Syngenta, and the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA). The project was conducted in two phases: a qualitative study that included hours of in-depth interviews with farmers, followed by a quantitative survey of more than 600 full-time, professional row crop producers. The survey was conducted using a mixed approach and was conducted in spring 2024.

For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report, contact Camfield at [email protected].

— AgPR