Redox Grows

Apples and blueberries are two of America’s most popular fruits. They also have undergone a lot of changes at the farm level over the years.

Dan Griffith, Crop Horticultural Advisor with GS Long in Yakima has spent more than forty years helping Washington apple growers get the most from their orchards. Washington is the nation’s leading apple producer, accounting for two-thirds of U.S. production, checking in at about 2 ½ million tons of fruit produced each year. 

 He says efficiency is a key to future prosperity for the apple industry.

“It’s everything,” Griffith said. “The more bins you can produce per acre, the less cost you have per bin… Being able to get a good yield is so important to keep you cost per bin down.”

Griffith said there’s an increased focus in the microbiological activity in the soil, which improves efficiency, provides better nutrition to the tree, and allows for less fertilizer use per acre. 

He added, while Red Delicious apples remain a major player, many other varieties are gaining greater interest, including the Cosmic Crisp, a crispy, juicy apple that stores well.

This year has been a challenge for apple growers in Washington. A very late, cold spring contributed to one of the smallest crops in many years. The 2023 apple crop is expected to be significantly larger than this year’s. 

Another popular fruit, the blueberry, provides a great one-two punch of taste and nutrition. Brad Harper grows blueberries in Michigan. The cool summers and relatively warm winters have been favorable for their family farm. 

Besides Michigan, Washington and Georgia are very large blueberry producers. The annual U.S. crop size is about 600 million pounds a year.

Harper has had great success utilizing Redox Bio-Nutrients products over the last decade, reducing conventional inputs, and bringing about a dramatic boost in production.

He said the Michigan state average is about 4,200 pounds of blueberries per acre, while their farm started at 6-8,000 pounds per acre. Since using Redox products, he said they have had consistent increases in production, peaking at more than 16,000 pounds per acre. 

Harper said he hopes his children will one day continue the family’s agricultural legacy. They enjoy being around the farm and helping with chores, so there’s hope they will maintain the family farm when that time comes. 

From Japan, With Passion

Mory Ogata’s energy and enthusiasm are evident the moment you meet him. As the sole Redox Bio-Nutrients distributor in Japan, Ogata, 84, has worked hard and creatively to gain traction for our line of high efficiency agricultural inputs.

His most successful early marketing efforts have been with Redox Turf products. Japan is widely known as a place with excellent, impeccably maintained golf courses.

Widespread adoption among the rest of Japanese agriculture has been a slow process, but Ogata said interest is growing, especially after a successful large fall trade show.

One reason the Redox Booth attracted attention was Ogata made an anime video and printed material to demystify the sophisticated technology and ultra-efficiency that are hallmarks of Redox products.

“So far, we don’t have a big distribution network,” Ogata remarked. “I think within the next year or so that’s going to change. I try to live as long as I can to witness that happy day!”

Chances are you’ve never heard of Laconia, Indiana, but if you’re a golf enthusiast, it needs to be on your bucket list.

With a population of 50 and surrounded by farmland, Laconia is home to Chariot Run Golf Club https://chariotrungolf.com, featuring an immaculate, award-winning course.  

“Our motto is ‘you pass a lot of good golf courses to get here, so we have to be great,’” said general manager David Beanblossom. “We’ve always said ‘it’s a field of dreams golf course out here, if you build it, they will come.’ I feel like, day in and day out, we put a product out there that is just better than everybody else. We really give people a reason to drive 45-minutes to Chariot Run to play golf.”

David’s story is even more remarkable that the golf course he manages. Twice he had brushes with death. The first occurred in a vehicle accident when he was seven. The second injury occurred during a horrific accident while he was harness racing. 

“Just by the grace of God I am still here today,” he said. “I owe it to my wife why I’m sitting here today. She said ‘You’ve got to find another way to make a living. I can’t watch you do this anymore.’”

He started at Chariot Run as an $8 an hour greenskeeper. Through his hard work and becoming a student of the greens, David continued to rise until his current general manager position.

He credited Redox Bio-Nutrients products as a key to the rave reviews about their course. 

David has worked for many years with Todd Scott, Redox Director of Turf Marketing & Strategy, and now uses several products that yield healthy turf that’s a joy to play on.  Chariot Run is among countless golf courses across America and overseas that depend on Redox Bio-Nutrients to care for their greens, including healthy soil, strong root development, abiotic stress defense and nutrient efficiency. 

“That’s the one thing about Redox and their products is they’ve really allowed us to produce the quality of turf that we need, the conditions we need to drive revenue and get golfers through the door,” Beanblossom said. “I think that’s the hidden factor that you don’t see with Redox is the additional revenue you’re going to get from just having stellar conditions all the time.”

Fall harvest season is underway throughout the U.S., wrapping up a year with higher costs of production, volatile markets and a myriad of weather issues, including massive drought in the West.

“It has definitely been a challenging year,” remarked Redox Bio-Nutrients agronomist Jared Sannar. “Mother Nature threw us some difficulty… I would say it has been a pretty challenging year, but we’re wrapping things up, are well into harvest for most of the crops, and looking forward to putting this one to bed.”

Growers in the nation’s leading agricultural state, California, saw more than its share of challenges this year. An untimely freeze caused a massive hit on the almond crop. Drought left an estimated half-million acres of farm ground unplanted this year. 

Grower Mitchell Yerxa of River Vista Farms in Colusa County is also a pilot and said an aerial view of the usually abundant west side of the Sacramento Valley provides an indication of the extent of the drought toll.

“If you can see something from a different angle or different perspective, you have a whole different understanding than you did before,” he said. “So, when you’re on Interstate 5 and you’re driving north and you’re looking to the west and don’t see a rice field planted, ok it’s one rice field. But when you’re up 1,000 feet, or 3,000 feet, and you look down and don’t see a single acre planted for miles, it gives you perspective that there are many farms and many parts of this community that are going to be dramatically affected when for miles there’s not a single acre planted.”

Fall harvests continue, from Idaho potatoes and Iowa corn to Texas cotton and California walnuts. Redox agronomists are working with growers to maximize yield, quality and return on investment.

One impediment to this goal is excess salt in parched fields.

“In my region, the southern San Joaquin Valley, there’s a lot of salt issues,” said Redox agronomist Justin Rose. “A lot of growers are using groundwater, bringing up salty, sodium bicarbonates. A lot of them, in the places of low calcium, are positioning PeneCal and Mainstay Calcium there, to help build that soil structure and to help move salts through it. In other regions where they’re not able to hold the moisture, with lighter soil, we’ve been able to combat the salt buildup with H-85. Using the combination of the high carbon product of humics and fulvics – one, to help buffer salts out and two, to make the nutrients needed available." When the off-season arrives, preparation can help growers position themselves well for the new year, including sustainable practices.

“One of those things that we really pay attention to is soil preparation, especially for potatoes,” said Redox agronomist Jason Cook. “I think this is applying more and more, as we look at some different sustainability scenarios, is looking at how we take care of our soil and implementing strategies that promote more health benefits and more nutrient cycling benefits. One of those scenarios is looking at crop residue and how we’re managing that, as far as what’s being taken away. For example, in wheat straw or barley straw, how much organic material is being pulled away from the farm and what has to be replaced to help balance the soils and keep the system functioning.” 

Maintaining strong roots another important factor. 

“One of my main philosophies is to grow better plants, you have to grow better roots,” said Redox agronomist Jeff Yoder. “A strong foundation of roots underneath that crop gives you more root interception zones, more area covered to pull moisture from if you have times of drought stress. I get the rebuttal all the time that ‘we’re not growing roots, we’re growing apples,’ but, in order to grow apples, you need roots. That investment in a strong foundation of roots pays big dividends.”

America’s Heartland is an impressive place. With rich soils and an even richer agricultural heritage, so much of our food comes from this region.

Andrew DeGroot is continuing a 70+ year family farming tradition started by his grandfather in St. Anne, Illinois, about an hour’s drive from Chicago. DeGroot Farms has made their mark in traditional crops, as well as some you might not expect. In addition to corn and soybeans, they grow potatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, and squash. Customers include Chipotle, Campbell’s Soup and Bob Evans.

 The DeGroots have light, sandy soils which work well for growing vegetables.  What can prove challenging is weather. This year’s characteristics included a long dry spell with over a month of temperatures hovering around the century mark.  

 Andrew said they’ve utilized Redox Bio-Nutrients products for about a decade, and the results are easy to see. 

 “This biggest thing it has helped us with is when Mother Nature throws a curve ball, whether it’s heat stress, drought, cold stress or too much water,” Andrew remarked. “When you have the right products available, where you can fight that and make an extra application or two to combat those stresses and help the plant push through, you don’t have the big swings like you used to. In past years, when the weather is perfect, you grow a bumper crop. The following year maybe there’s a drought and it seemed to be either feast or famine. We’re kind of leveling that off now, knowing our costs going in, knowing what we need to do, setting our program and fighting Mother Nature, pretty much.”

 As one example through Redox, Andrew said his potato yields have grown about 30 to 35 percent on average, with a 50 to 60 percent increase when weather fully cooperates.

 Bell peppers on the farm are a sight to see, with large fruit, thick walls, and premium quality.

 A more traditional crop, soybeans, are also a solid performer on the farm. Illinois is the nation’s largest soybean producer, with more than 11 million acres grown. 

 From one field to the next, the DeGroot farm is a very productive place. Andrew said Redox Bio-Nutrients are a big part of their success.
 
“It’s helped greatly,” he said. “I don’t think we could be where we are today without it. Just the growth and new customers we’ve been able to bring to the table because we have a quality product. It takes a lot of the stress away, when you can really focus in, and you see a problem – a deficiency – apply a product, and you will visually see that within usually 7 to 10 days, and then move on from there.” 

Golf has enchanted tens of millions of people across the globe and for good reason. With an outdoor setting and intensely rewarding and challenging nature, it’s no wonder it has captured so many for centuries. 

Turf is one of the most important aspects of a positive golfing experience. And with some 16,000 golf courses in America, turf is also a major crop in America. 

 Keeping turf at its best isn’t always easy, as every golf course has its unique set of challenges. 

For many years, Todd Scott, Director of Turf Marketing & Strategy at Redox Bio-Nutrients, has diligently worked to help maintain turf quality at many golf courses, with great health, uniform, rich color, and excellent playability. 

Redox works with thousands of golf courses across the country, as well as internationally. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach in this endeavor.

 “It’s many factors,” Scott said. “Obviously, weather is one. Soil type is another. Climate, water quality, irrigation source and soil structure are also factors. It’s many issues. Some are blessed with good soils, depending on what part of the country they’re in. Others really struggle because of not-so-great soil conditions and water quality. Those are the challenges they face. The more blessed you are with good soil quality and water source, obviously your job is going to be a lot easier.”

Fortunately, Redox can help improve virtually any course, regardless of their needs. 
 
Scott said it all starts with understanding what’s underneath the turf.

 “Well, soil testing is paramount, to find out what you’re dealing with, and how you can make adjustments in your fertility applications, whether it’s rates, timing or frequency,” he said. “All of those things matter. The quickest and fastest way to get yourself on the right track is to get a good chemical soil extraction, along with a paste extract test, find out where your deficiencies are and make adjustments in your inputs. You keep tweaking year after year.”

 Well-maintained turf means the world, not only to those who play the courses, but to those who manage them, as well.

 “Superintendents have told me ‘It has changed this golf course 180 degrees’,” Scott said. “Their life is better. Their home life is better because of it. Hopefully, it will reduce their stress, because it’s one of most stressful jobs you can have out there. I was a superintendent for 10 years in the transition zone, and it can be grueling. Redox really addresses a lot of key parts of their struggles and stresses.”

 In the coming months, look for more episodes on how Redox Turf products help golf courses, including profiles on some of the finest courses in the U.S. and internationally. 

America is full of business success stories, both small and large, where entrepreneurs worked hard and persevered their way to success. 

 Henry Ford grew up on a farm in Michigan and worked for a company run by Thomas Edison before borrowing $28,000 to establish the Ford Motor Company. 

 Ray Kroc dropped out of school as a teenager and spent 17 years selling paper cups before he got the break that eventually led to him launching the McDonald’s fast-food empire.

 With a long family history in farming, dentist Dan Zettel sought help in starting an apple orchard, but ran into a proverbial brick wall. 

 “When we told big national retailers that I was only going to start with 1,200 trees and a little 10-acre spot, they literally turned their back and did not want to discuss fertilizer, any inputs or anything for my orchard,” he remarked.

 Undeterred, Dan eventually made the right connections, formulated a successful strategy and planted apple trees. His Edwards Township orchard is now thriving, and his rich red honeycrisp apples are in high demand. 

 Several experts guided Dan to success, including Redox Agronomist, Eric Massey. 

 “I wouldn’t be in the apple business today without the help from Redox and Eric Massey,” Dan said. “It’s really interesting the components that we needed and finding the right nutritional plan. When we did soil samples, we found out we were basically farming beach sand out here. We had very low humus; we had very low everything. With the Redox program … we are pulling color on these honeycrisp apples like I’ve never seen. We get dark, dark red apples. Ours come up with this crazy red color.”

 Dan and his wife, Melinda, are both dentists, but still find time to work on the farm. They have a built-in labor force with their four children, supplemented by many friends and community members, including a retired state trooper, electrician, and mechanical engineer, who help during harvest. 

 The Zettels have given back to their community in meaningful ways, including establishing a massive and modern rec center to provide a constructive and fun outlet for kids and others fitness minded residents. 

 Michigan is third in the US in apple production, with more than one billion pounds produced every year.

Late summer is traditionally a time when families get ready for the start of the school year, many crops are nearing harvest and temperatures spike.

 This time out, there have been a few extra hurdles in weather trends to navigate through.

 “This summer has been unusually hot for many parts of the country,” remarked Les Colin, longtime meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Boise. “The East, the South and the Midwest have been very hot, and there’s been extreme flooding. That’s unusual.”

 The more volatile summer season has created a few more challenges for growers. Fortunately, Redox agronomists are working with farmers far and wide to ensure productive harvests.

 In addition to widespread heat, the prolonged drought in California has led to the problem of high salt levels in farm ground.

 “Over time, without having those rains to flush the soil, you accumulate salts in the root zones and that causes stress for the crops,” said Redox Bio-Nutrients Agronomist, Bill Schwoerer. “Products we look at to try to alleviate this include Penecal, which has calcium as well as a surfactant that helps to open the soils and then helps to move water through the pores in the soil, as well as Soilex, which is a surfactant and humic substance as well, to basically help move those salts out of the root zone so the plant can grow under less stress.” 

Schwoerer works with growers along the Central Coast. Agronomists Justin Rose in the Central Valley and Kort Holzwart in the Salinas/Monterey area are also working with growers through late summer challenges. 

Rose said use of diKaP has helped mitigate heat stress and boosted stomatic conductance for almonds, pistachios and table grapes, as well as citrus sizing.

 Holzwart said salt buildup has been a key issue to overcome in his region as well. 

 In the Pacific Northwest, agronomist Jasmine Baird said apple harvesting is underway, with hops and grapes soon to follow. She said diKaP is helping these crops finish strong, aiding their color and brix.

 Agronomist Jeff Yoder said row crops are progressing well in the region. He said key issues include use of potassium-based products to encourage bulking in potatoes and filling out seed crops.

 In the Carolinas, agronomist John Rouse said use of diKaP is helping growers he works with combat abiotic stress in their early-maturing soybeans and ensure strong bean development, while Mainstay Si is helping soybeans farther along in their maturity for strong yields. 

 He said Mainstay Si has helped increase yields for peanut growers and boosted stem strength and shell color.  Rouse added Mainstay Si provides a strong assist to cotton growers to help improve their lint yields. 

 Redox has more than a dozen agronomists working with growers across the country. Find out more at https://www.redoxgrows.com.

Being patient is far from easy, but it can be essential in getting correct results, especially in agricultural research.

 At our Redox Bio-Nutrients office in Burley, Idaho, about 20 acres are devoted to meticulous research to make sure our products are indeed an asset to growers. 

 The crops and materials used vary, although the common thread is we must be patient and precise in reviewing the benefits our product line has on food grown in America and worldwide.

Our current list of crops being grown include alfalfa, corn, tomatoes, honey crisp apples, two varieties of table grapes, and turf. 

 Crops often start in the greenhouse. Providing that they progress as needed (especially during hot summer months), they next go to pots outdoors. Larger grow-in boxes follow, with one-acre commercial plots the final step at our farm. Every step is carefully monitored and catalogued to help our understanding of how strong the plants are and the efficacy of our products. 

 Following our on-site trials, we collaborate with independent third parties with the goal of confirming our research on a larger, more commercial scale. 

 We utilize applied science in our work with a laser focus on the bottom line of growers. To do this, we employ the four Rs of nutrient stewardship: the right source of fertilizer or nutrients, the right rate, right time, and right place. 

 Understanding these elements help the ultimate goal of getting growers what they need to maximize efficiency and return on investment. 

 This research is possible through strong coordination, resilience, and teamwork.

“That’s Redox to me,” remarked Gifford Gillette, Redox Bio-Nutrients Head of Science. “There’s an energy because of that synergy. There’s talent all around us, and we’re able to help each other be at our best. Ultimately, the part I get satisfaction from is seeing the tests and the trials that we conduct to get to a program that is utilized, not only by one grower, but in many different geographic regions and is successful in many different circumstances. It’s a tremendous thing knowing that we are helping agriculture as a whole conserve natural resources while simultaneously improving the ability to satisfy global food demands. The scientific process is a key component to this end goal and it is a reason why farmers can readily get on board.” 

This year has already been a challenge for farmers – with soaring costs, erratic weather and many other hurdles to clear. Now more than ever, efficient use of resources is vital for growers seeking a good return on investment. 

Maintaining healthy soil and being laser-focused on strong plants with proper nutrition are vital to strong yields come harvest time.

Fortunately, there are tools out there to achieve these results.

“One of the things I’m most excited about is the very real progress farmers can make improving their soil,” said John Kelly, co-founder and lead agronomist at Redox Bio-Nutrients. “Some of those improvements can be made immediately and have good returns on their investment.”

Redox has seen steady growth since its inception in the early 1990s, with products sold to farmers in more than 40 states and 32 countries.

American Agriculture is ever-changing, with greater emphasis over the years towards a healthy growing environment and sustainable future, while being conscious of a grower’s return on investment.

“We’ve seen an evolution since the beginning of our business, to going beyond just basic practices that have been in place for 40-60 years, to looking at innovative ways of growing crops,” Kelly said. “Not only from irrigation management – from widespread adoption of controlled irrigation systems - to focus on soil health and fertility inputs. Not only that, but adoption of high-tech practices that improve grower’s bottom lines.”

He said growers that are more efficient with their inputs are better positioned to persevere through years like this that are rife with uncertainty.

“Growers that are thriving in this difficult environment are those at pay close attention to not what they bring in, but what they keep,” Kelly said. “The return on investment, what inputs and what practices will accomplish that best are the ways to thrive in this environment. As we look for efficiencies, we’re looking to get the very best net income per acre possible.”

Like so many that are helping keep abundant, affordable food on dinner tables, Kelly said he’s passionate about keeping farmers farming for generations to come.

“I love what I do,” he said. “I feel very, very fortunate that I’m able to work, not only at Redox with very wonderful people, but the folks we associate within the industry. It’s great and I never get tired of that…. It’s wonderful when we’re able to improve a grower, and the distributor reps, improve their bottom line, while also making a positive impact on the environment.”