Some folks think that there is not a lot that can be done to improve one’s planting or harvest for the coming year during the months of November, December, and January, particularly in the Southwest.  However, due to the warmth (even during a record cold snap) of the soil, microbes can still be working for you to make your soil healthier.  Doing this means you will use less water in the coming year, and less fertilizer too, to produce the small or same yields.   Having the ability to back on water and fertilizer creates a larger profit margin. If big yields is your game plan, at $4.25/acre, you can price your break even point and you will find you can really “make some hay”.

In the following photos, you will see a field that was selected in November for a Bactifeed trial.  The main goal for this field was to get the water to go into the soil.  In previous years, acids were used for this purpose, but the acids brought along their own issues, not the least of which was damage to the concrete irrigation ditch; amongst the other problems with acids are liability issues and expense.

In early December, we initiated treatment during irrigation with a double rate batch, (2 scoops per 10 acres) to make sure we got a good culture going in the soil.   We followed that with a single rate batch in early January, and then went without “bugs”(aka Bactifeed) in February.  The pictures tell the rest of the story.

This was one week off water and you can see that both fields did get some moisture penetration, but that the Bactifeed treated field has a much deeper level.  The color and texture of the soil is notably different.

10 FEB 2011 (one week off water) Control (untreated field) is above the measuring tape

I originally anticipated seeing an irrigation taking place on my next trip to Buckeye, however, that was not the case.  I took my probe out and checked the field.  Much to my suprise, I had nearly a foot of penetration in the Bactifeed field, and about 4″ in the control field.  Another customer stopped by to say hello, and I asked if he had had any water yet this month (his fields are just south of this one) and he said no…but they had rain on 26 Feb, about 1/2″ worth.  I asked the customer who farms these two fields later and he confirmed about 1/2″, maybe less, maybe more.  Either way, you can see the difference in the soil where the Bactifeed (bugs) are at work, and, in the field where they are not.  Due to the microbes working in his field, the customer was able to take advantage of the “free” water!

3 March 2011 (one month off water, 1/2" rain 26 Feb)

The customer also told me that they were not going to use acids based on the increased soil penetration, and that he and his crop advisor were examining some options to UN-32 (which saw 58% price leap this year).   When I got there to see an irrigation on March 10, I saw his workers spreading compost on the fields, and I again took my soil plugs.  5 weeks off water and you can really tell a noticeable difference after 3 applications.

10 March 2011 (5 weeks off water, 1/2" rain 26 Feb)

Using the Bactifeed will maximize the benefit of adding the compost to the fields.  Because we are opening up the soil, driving the compost spreader on the field will have minimal adverse effect of compacting the field.

Spreading compost to increase organic content of field, and Bactifeed will accelerate the compost breakdown into nutritional value for the roots.

We are 2.5 months into the new year.  By putting microbes to work in December, we are utilizing every drop of water and giving this customer many options to optimize the productivity of his fields.  No acids, less UN 32, all while improving the quality of his soil, and, as the spring progresses, the quality of his crop, while increasing his profit.  Bactifeed is allowing this farmer to not only adapt to challenges, but increase his efficiency.