If you are interested in seeing several months’ worth of testing to prove this is possible, you can go to http://www.soilsoldier.org where you watch a series of videos that follow the progress of several different applications.

My favorite was the converting sand to soil test. To me, it is the ultimate proof that you can convert even the most barren soil into productive soil. Germination of seeds was as little as 2 1/2 days and we harvested squash at 8 weeks.

The final update for the commercial cornfield will be out this week. The goal of the test was to rehabilitate a 3-acre section of the field that has underperformed since anyone can remember. We treated those three acres at a 1/2 ton/acre rate and disced it in just a few days before planting.

Here’s a brief summary – you can watch the video when it comes out for visuals in a few days.

• A large percentage of the 8-acre test field had to be replanted due to poor germination and emergence. The treated portion of the field enjoyed nearly 100% germination – no replanting
• The treated corn grew taller and fuller – no signs of N deficiency or rust
  The total yield for the 8 acres was 210 bu/acre with a population of 32,000 which is good for our area and for a non-irrigated field. The test portion of the field yielded 210 bu/acre as well. We wouldn’t expect more than this.
• The average of his other properties was 190 bu/acre
  The farmer would have expected approx 125 bu/acre on the treated 3 acres
• The root structure of the treated area was robust and ground cover took over immediately after harvest.
• Land that has been treated 2 or more years is covered with grass that we didn’t plant and weed pressure has dropped significantly
• There is nutrient residue evident by the health of the roots and blackening of the stalks as they degrade due to excess available nitrogen. This discoloration of the treated area is very defined and visuals will be included in the final summary video.