Beyond the Inputs

Biologicals are only half the story. The real breakthrough is where humics, amino acids, spray-dried microbes, and pH control collide to help growers get more out of every acre without adding more cost.

On this episode of Beyond the Inputs, Jon Dinslage and Jim Otte got to Iowa to sit down with John King of Michlig Ag Solutions to unpack the technologies that are quietly changing how growers and retailers think about fertility, residue, and return on investment. From humic acid in a nitrogen play to biofertility packages, water-soluble biologicals, and planter-box products, the conversation gets into the practical side of making inputs work harder in the real world.

You’ll discover:

• Why John King believes spray-drying has changed the game for biologicals and seed-applied products
• How spore-forming biology improves compatibility and survivability in the tank
• Why humics and fulvics can create powerful synergies with microbes and amino acids
• How pH buffering may boost spray efficacy, stress mitigation, and nutrient use efficiency
• Why residue products are really about releasing nutrition back to the soil, not just breaking down stalks

In this episode of Beyond the Inputs, Jim Otte, Jon Dinslage, and Gerry Wiese sit down with Ben Hushon from The Mill Agronomy and Decision Ag Solutions in Maryland to talk shop about what's working on farms today.

The conversation covers everything from soil health and humics to nitrogen efficiency, manure management, cover crops, and drone applications. Ben shares lessons learned from years of on-farm trials and working directly with growers, while the group compares what they're seeing in Maryland and Nebraska.

One theme that comes up throughout the episode is that there aren't many quick fixes in agriculture. Building healthier soils, improving nutrient efficiency, and getting more from every input takes time, patience, and a willingness to keep learning.

The crew also discusses:

• Why more growers are paying attention to soil biology
• What they've learned from years of using humics and biostimulants
• How split nitrogen applications have changed fertility programs
• The growing role of drones in crop protection
• Why water quality, pH, and spray timing matter more than most people realize
• The value of testing new ideas and sharing real-world results

Grab a cup of coffee or a cold beer and join us for another episode of Beyond the Inputs.

In Episode 1 of Beyond the Inputs, we head to North Carolina to sit down with fourth-generation farmer Kevin Matthews of Matthews Family Farms.

Kevin and his family farm thousands of acres in the Yadkin River Valley, producing corn, soybeans, wheat, and other crops while pushing the limits of precision agriculture. Known nationally for his work with no-till farming, subsurface drip irrigation, nutrient management, and on-farm innovation, Kevin was named North Carolina Farmer of the Year in 2022 and is a co-founder of XtremeAg.

Our conversation covers the evolution of modern farming, technology adoption, soil health, irrigation, family succession, and what it takes to build a successful operation from the ground up. Kevin also shares lessons learned from decades of farming, leading through challenges, and helping other farmers shorten the learning curve through education and collaboration.