Meristem Announces Patent Pending Liquid Bio-Capsule Technology
Meristem Crop Performance has a new patent pending Liquid Bio-Capsule Technology delivery system.
“We’ve seen great yield results from thousands of farmers on millions of acres by keeping these biologicals protected with our dry planter box Bio-Capsule microbial delivery system,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem’s founder and CEO. “Now with our patent pending Liquid Bio-Capsule, farmers will be able to conveniently pair dry solubles with liquids to bring new options to their sprayer applications.”
The Liquid Bio-Capsule was designed to fit on top of a 2.5 gallon jug and other liquid containers.
“There are so many biofungicides and bioinsecticides that have not been available to farmers simply because it’s a challenge to keep them viable through the channel,” Eviston explains. “Now for the first time, live beneficial microbes can be kept in a separate compartment on top of a jug and mixed with synthetics at the point of use.”
John Gertz, Meristem’s chief operating officer, says the product solves several problems in a convenient way. He points to these benefits:
- All-season Flexibility. Microbial technology can now be added to any liquid application. The Liquid Bio-Capsule allows convenient delivery of beneficial biologicals to any spray application throughout the season.
- Fast-track Innovation. The Liquid Bio-Capsule is driven by co-pack regulatory strategy that allows faster EPA registration. That means more localized, cost-effective, field-specific remedies to crop production challenges.
- Greater Market Access. Some biological companies have discovered beneficial microbes or have proprietary blends, but are struggling with keeping them alive all the way to the field. The Liquid Bio-Capsule can be licensed by those seeking to reach farmers with their own brands.
Vive Crop Protection Shares Strong Growth in 2024
In the past year, Vive Crop Protection says its grown on-ground sales by more than 30%. Dave Rummel, the company’s vice president of sales and business development, points to two notable product introductions.
“Vive’s ground-breaking nano-tech solutions, designed to meet the specific needs of growers, has set the company apart,” Rummel says. “In 2024, we were proud to launch Phobos FC fungicide as the most recent result of Vive’s product development engine. The Phobos FC product launch exceeded our highest expectations, selling out and more than doubling our launch year’s expectations. Likewise, Vive’s Averland FC insecticide/nematicide grew on-ground sales by over 70% as growers discovered the flexibility, efficacy, and efficiency Vive products deliver.”
The company’s focus on operational efficiency and sales productivity has also been key.
“Vive’s 2024 success highlights the consistency of our products and the strength of our market strategy,” Rummel says. “As Vive continues to grow, our unwavering commitment to growers to deliver efficient, innovative solutions remains at the core of our success. Yet the company’s resilience in navigating a challenging market has not just been a testament to the strength of our products or the commitment of our channel partners, it’s also a reflection of the collective genius, adaptive mindset, and the grit our employees bring every day.”
Growmark Purchases Stake in Big River Resources
Growmark has made an investment in Big River Resources LLC, an ethanol production company, headquartered in West Burlington, Iowa.
Growmark CEO Mark Orr says Growmark believes ethanol will continue to be a strong driver of the agricultural industry.
“Our investment in Big River Resources aligns with Growmark’s strategic goals to diversify and strengthen our operations. This investment will enable us to capture new revenue streams and provide added value to our farmer members,” he said.
Big River Resources CEO David Zimmerman says Growmark will be a strong partner in helping Big River Resources reach its goals.
“We are pleased to welcome Growmark to the Big River team as a new investor. Growmark’s cooperative nature and focus of returning value to its member-owners and farmer customers aligns strongly with our goals,” Zimmerman says. “We are committed to the enhancement of local communities through continuing value-added corn processing as well as maximizing the growing carbon economy for our shareholders and producer-members.”
Big River’s operational footprint in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa will also provide greater access to the upstream value added to the corn produced by Growmark’s farmer customers.
“Our stake in Big River Resources is one more way we’re giving our member companies and the farmers we represent a competitive edge in the global grain market,” said Matt Lurkins, Growmark vice president of grain and strategic relationships.
