Bio Soil Enhancers Forage Boost

how about a URL where we can learn more about this stuff and buy it.
I googled "forage Boost" and didn't see any web site for it.
Also, I think you mean that it has 30 types of microbes in it,
not just 30 microbes. Shoot the editor.

Here you go: www.sumagrow.com/About_Our_Products.html

You can find out more about this product and purchase it at www.auroraagra.com or call (601)261-0820

Links to products (either with the articles or table near the end of each issue in the magazine) would be appreciated.

aquaken points to www.sumagrow.com/About_Our_Products.html .

Aurora Agra gives www.auroraagra.com

Neither site show where one can find the product or information about how to use it. What is the concentration factor? If I can find who carries this locally, how many sq.ft. will a gallon cover and how often should it be re-applied?

Is there any replicated trial data to support the claims for the "wonder" product? If not, I think you have been had. Products like this have been marketed to farmers for decades, if not centuries. A google search for information leads mostly to the listing of this material in Pop Sci. The sales men for these biologic wonder products make them sound wonderful, and that it must be the colusion of ag researchers and big business that keeps tham off the market. As one of those researchers I can staate that that is not so. They market heavily, try and get a IPO and cash out quicly and fade into the background. For an example check Farm Builders Biochem from a couple decades ago.

A typical acre of soil contains billions of billions of microbes. If a soil is low on organic matter and microbes, one gallon of a this product will not have near enough microbes to help on a large scale. Also, forages, tend to be at less risk for nitrogen losses because of the perennial root systems. I have never worked with this product, but I have tested ones with similar claims. I think this sounds more like popular science fiction than popular science.

There are replicated trials on this product and there are also numerous ongoing trials in many regions of the US as well as countries like China, India, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. The replicated trials range from greenhouse trials to field trials. The product has been tested on a number of crops ranging from many types of forages to row crops, such as corn, soybeans, cotton, rice, and wheat to vegetable and fruit crops, as well as specialty crops. Tests include trials conducted by several universities, the USDA ARS, independent research companies, and field trials with actual growers.

The product contains more than 30 different strains naturally isolated soil microbes at a minimum concentration of 10 to the 12th. The microbes are derived from pure parental stock and are suspended in a liquid humate carrier at a pH of 7.0.

Research to this point indicates that the product performs well in many types of applications and across a spectrum of crop types. Forage Boost, just like any other fertilization or soil amendment product, is not a "silver bullet". All products have their limitations, including N,P,K fertilizers. However, it does provide good performance while allowing for reduction or even elimination of chemical fertilizers.

Recommended application rates as determined by prior research, in most situations, are 1.0 gallons/acre applied at the start of the growing season, or a split application of 0.5 ga/ac at the start of the growing season and 0.5 ga/ac approximately 4 weeks later. It is recommended that the product be diluted 10:1 to 20:1 with water prior to application. It can be broadcast or band sprayed or applied through irrigation systems.

@arwilliams
I am assuming you are the author of this article:
I like it when the author comes back to defend/expand upon their article. it shows that you guys really know your stuff. sometimes people don't realized the necessity for brevity in these articles. In this article in particular you have just added so much to your credibility in acknowledging that there is often controversy over whether a new product is real or not. As readers we don't usually see whether you have fact checked or not, so it is nice to see that the research has been done.

-if you aren't the author of the article then feel free to disregard what I have said... but you are still awesome for looking into this stuff for everyone. -All hail the fact checkers-

One gallon per acre? That seems like such a small amount. A 50 lb bag of typical lawn fertilizer will only cover a max of about 14000 sq ft, so with 43560 sq ft in an acre this claim seems unreasonable. Not to mention 40$ per acre is a great price. A 50 lb bag of fertilizer is just over 40$. However, if the claims are true then this is amazing due to the extreme environmental damage fertilizer does.
Can a residential consumer buy this? Or does it need to be bought in enormous quantities?

Also, as a subscriber of your magazine I would have like to have seen more information on this. I understand the need for briefness, but other categories had follow up articles on their top innovation of the year.

This may or may not be an improvement.

"FORAGE BOOST Is a formulation of major and secondary nutrients "

It seem to be fertilizer to me.

I am very familiar with these type of products. I use them every day in my business with great success.The one gallon per acre application mixed at 10-20 to 1 ga. is not sufficient in my experience. At the top 20 gallon per acre mixture I have found that 20 gallons of any liquid does not sufficiently wet an acre of ground or its crop.
I spray my all natural concentrated mixture containing biological soil enhancers (and many other ingrediants)at the rate of 3 to 5 gallons of product per acre mixed with water and applied at the rate of 30 to 55 gallons per acre for good coverage and wetting. I also include in this mixture a natural suffactant for sticking and reducing leaching or run-off.
This can be done as stated in the $30 -$50 per/acre.
There are many of these type products out there and some are better than others.

If its made of microbes, couldn't something like compost tea be used to just breed it out? Meaning, couldn't I just buy one container and then breed it out for however many acres I needed at whatever concentrations I needed to? It seems kind of like a one-time sell of a product. Would be really curious to see research on the strains they went with, why they went with those strains, and a database of other similar strains. Their site (from the links other commenters provided) say that these are organic, can they be gm'd to be even more aggressive both in reproduction and capability? Relative to Crop Doctor's comment, it would seem that strains that are heavy carbon fixers could also be added that would not only sequester carbon, but also increase microbial (organic matter) as well as carbon into the soil to provide for a better growth medium?
Really like the idea, and even if it hasn't worked in the past, I don't see anything conceptually wrong with it such that it shouldn't be able to work now... even IF this specific product itself doesn't work.
Also see where a lot of fertilizer companies are going to feel very very threatened by this.

I am thrilled to see the industry looking at products like FORAGE BOOST, couple of observations: First the web site states that it "allows to grow organically" big differece between being "Certified Organic" by a State board or National organization, and growing plants organically....everything that comes from the Earth is organic.
The product appears to be liquid humates together with a multi-strain bacterial inoculum. There are a number of such products on the market and we have yet to trial one that works well with other products on the market or gives a better result.

The greenhouse trial posted on their site is a "BIG" statement. The posted forage trial shows a yield increase with their product when compared against the addition of 275 pounds per acre of 3=2=1. That is an application of only 8.25 pounds per acre of nitrogen.

The forage trial showing cattle weight gain on forage treated with their product compared to NPK fertilized forage shows an increased daily weight gain of 1%. Others (the one we know) trialed in the Netherlands by addition to the standard feed increased weight gain by 8%.

We use a liquid product that has over 80+ of all the elements on the element chart, is certified organic, is used at a 2-5 gallon to 100 gallons water ratio, and is priced nearly 70% cheaper. One should be asking for documents and information from any company that is making claims, ask or look for,
• Improved nutrient and water uptake
• Improved root growth
• Improved plant growth and yield
• Reduced transplant shock
• Reduced drought stress
• Parasitic nematode control

Will share our studies and information, but in respect to PS and Forage Boost, I won't here..........

@SelCzar I would be interested in your studies, you can contact me at franciefinn1 at gmail dot com. thanks!

We have posted a lot of data and results at www.thegrowpros.com.

Reduce cost & increase yield!

Please note that we have first hand customers and testimonials to share. We are here to answer your questions and ensure you are comfortable with the best quality product out there!

Come see and talk to LCO experts hat can answer your questions from lawns to crops. Hear what they have to say in person and go to our site to learn more. We have farmers and Landscapers in over 25 states
www.SumaGreen.com

Reduce inputs costs while increasing yields and value of your lawn or crops.

Mr Clemintime- Yes the product can be bought in small amounts and you can buy them directly at www.SumaGreen.com

We are more then happy to work and take you through the steps of giving your forage the proper treatment.