Ag in Motion: 30% Less Fertilizer

This year was our first time exhibiting at Ag in Motion (AIM). We knew there would be plenty of “biological” products promoted across the show, but our goal was different, we wanted to show farmers real data, not just photos and stories. Not only did we have great discussions around reducing input costs, but we also backed them up with third-party-verified trial plots.

Today, AdvancedAg biologicals are treating nearly 500,000 acres across Western Canada. Based on what we’ve consistently seen in the field, we went into AIM with an ambitious objective: cut fertilizer by 30% while still achieving a strong ROI, even in a drought year.

The results were more than promising: 

• With 30% less fertilizer, our wheat still delivered yields that exceeded full-fertilizer check. 64bu in the treated (biological) plots and 61bu in the control (full fertility plots).

• We observed a 60-75% reduction in lodging on plots that received A*LIVE Seed and ACF-SR.

What We Did

All trial work was completed professionally by Ag Quest.

Soil tests were conducted on April 25, 2025 to determine the baseline nutrients of our site. Our plots were seeded May 28 with AAC Starbuck wheat which fully emerged by June 6. Each plot was treated with the same custom base fertility blend with test plots, or plots treated with our biologicals, received a 30% reduction.

• Base Fertility: 12-35-5-5 at 70lbs/ac and 46-00 at 150lbs/ac.

• A*LIVE Seed: Applied to seed for systemic stress resistance.

• ACF-SR: Applied in-furrow for increased biofertility.

• SRP: Applied foliar for crop health and phosphorus uptake.

Plot Program & Layout

What We Saw

We knew cutting fertility this aggressively could impact yields, but the results told another story. Yields remained nearly identical, showing that our biological program can meaningfully support nutrient availability and crop performance under stress.

One of the most visible differences was the dramatic reduction in lodging across treated plots, a clear sign of improved root strength and structural resilience.

Why it Matters

We’re not suggesting that every grower should cut fertility by 30% right away — but these results prove the potential. They show that with the right biological system in place, farmers can reduce synthetic inputs while maintaining (or even improving) yield and profitability.

In a year marked by drought and high input costs, these plots demonstrated that biologicals can shoulder more of the load, leading to:

• Lower input costs

• Stronger, more resilient crops

• More sustainable, profitable production

Looking Ahead

Our AIM plots faced real-world challenges, just like any farm. But the data gives us confidence to push further. We’re already planning for AIM 2026, with a focus on refining methodology and exploring long-term benefits of biological fertility programs.

If you’re interested in seeing our full research history or want to learn how these results translate to your farm, reach out, we’d love to share more.