Meristem Launches new Hopper Throttle Maxstax Soybean
Hopper Throttle (HT) MaxStax Soybean has been announced by Meristem for a limited release in crop year 2025 to select dealers.
Powered by Meristem’s patented Bio-Capsule Technology, HT MaxStax is intended to replace traditional liquid soybean seed treatment.
“Today, farmers are spending upward of $24 per acre with seed treatments to protect soybeans from insects and diseases,” explained Mitch Eviston, Meristem founder and CEO. “With MaxStax, they can better protect their seeds from all of those pests while reducing cost and optimizing their crop’s genetic potential to go after six to eight more bushels per acre. We’re out to give soybean growers a $45 per acre advantage.”
Eviston says the 16 components in HT MaxStax Soybean can replace traditional liquid soybean seed treatment with an advanced planter box system that enables the co-packing and safe deployment of multiple EPA-controlled active ingredients to gain better results. Meristem will offer MaxStax with a $40 per acre replant program to add peace of mind for soybean farmers.
Each pail of HT MaxStax Soybean is designed to treat 40 acres (one seed box) and contains 16 components:
- Metalaxyl
- Prephyte
- Revline
- Nitrogen-Fixing Microbes
- Biofertility Microbes
- Borne X
- Guard M
- Guard C
- Talc
- Graphite
- Ionlock Zinc
- Iron
- Manganese
- Ether Enzyme Technology (lipase and mannanase)
- Active Carbon
“Each one of the biocontrols in MaxStax is designed and EPA-registered specifically for the Bio-Capsule delivery system,” says John Gertz, Meristem’s chief operating officer. “Unlike other chemical insecticides, these active ingredients – Borne X, Guard C, Guard M, and Prephyte – don’t require any specialized handling or application equipment. That makes it very convenient for enhanced protection against SDS, nematodes, seedcorn maggots and other soil-borne pathogens. MaxStax is the full-meal deal when it comes to the protection of soybean seeds and seedlings.”
BW Fusion introduces BioBoost Seed Treatment
BW Fusion is bringing biologicals to planter boxes with BioBoost seed treatment, which is available in formulations for both corn and soybeans.
According to BW Fusion, BioBoost boosts seed energy for germination, accelerates metabolism, and improves uniform early growth. A limited group of growers planted with BioBoost in 2024 and reported bigger, deeper root systems and stronger, larger-diameter stems and stalks.
“BioBoost improved early-season plant health in all soil types and under varying stress conditions,” said Chris Cooper of Cooper Farms in Indiana. Ryan Chalfant, from Chalfant Farms, also in Indiana added, “BioBoost is definitely going to be a product I use on every acre next year with the ROI I’ve seen from it.”
Trials show the average corn yield advantage is +8 bu/ac, and the average soybean yield advantage is +5 bu/ac on BioBoost-treated fields.
Growers also shared they were able to eliminate the use of talc and graphite in their operations. The product’s soy protein-derived seed lubricant carrier has an application rate of 0.5 ounces per unit of seed.
