Biologicals business is growing
A Q&A with AMVAC results in revelations about biological solutions for potato and vegetable growers By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater Question (Q): With the GreenSolutions line from AMVAC, the company is stressing biologicals as complementary to traditional chemistries, is that correct? And if so, how can biologicals such as those in the line aid farmers in their yield goals? Answer (A), Kyle Coleman, market development manager for AMVAC: We see the biologicals business growing for all the right reasons. The technology continues to improve, the timing, rates, and specific reasons for using the products are getting more dialed in, and the expectations set and realized are starting to sync better. All of this allows us to mix and match traditional chemistry strategies with new technology to maximize productivity and profits. 40 BC�T July
Q: Are fewer traditional crop protection products needed when combined with biologicals, and if so, why is that—how do biologicals work? Kyle, A: The interesting thing about that question is it assumes traditional chemistry. The tools available today are enough to provide solutions to the ever-changing challenges with food production now and in the future. Some growers are already scrambling to solve challenges such as herbicide or fungicide resistance, while others see the costs of certain products as being prohibitively expensive. We need all the tools available to us. It is no different than building a house. Being limited to two or three tools makes an already difficult job even harder.
Above: As the technology of biologicals continues to improve, the timing, rates, and specific reasons for using the products are getting more dialed in, allowing growers to mix and match traditional chemistry strategies with new technology to maximize productivity and profits. The photo of the flowering potato field was taken at the Langlade Agricultural Research Station in Antigo, Wisconsin.
With that said, one benefit to biologicals is they provide options. This either further increases productivity, or it takes pressure off traditional chemistries so that they aren’t overutilized. Q: Are you finding that large potato and vegetable growers are still resistant to going the biological route? Kyle, A: The adoption of any technology always starts with