|
 |
|
|
|||
|
 |
|
Oct. 19, 2026
Source: Planet Earth sent via AgPR--the news distribution service for agriculture MT. HOREB, Wisc. -- Empowering farmers to cut costs and build soil with the latest in biological nutrient management technology is the key motivator behind the rebranding of TrashBreaker 2.0 as Carbon Cycle, to better reflect new field-tested benefits for crop residue management. The rebrand was announced here today by Planet Earth Agronomy. "With the dramatic increases in the cost of diesel fuel and fertilizer, it's a great time to offer farmers an alternative that can reduce tillage, fight soil pathogens, and make the most of nutrients they already own," said Larry Fiene, Founder and CEO of Planet Earth Agronomy in making the announcement. More than four decades of research with beneficial microbes and patented formulations are behind the newly named CARBON CYCLE from Planet Earth Agronomy, which has emerged as the industry leader in biological residue management, mostly due to Fiene's continuous in-field research and adjustments. Earlier this season, in comparisons of early season growth, evaluations of treated versus untreated again demonstrated the value: +37.8% increase in total plant biomass "Larger plants early in the season indicate improved nutrient uptake and greater photosynthetic capacity moving into critical growth stages," says Fiene. +54.6% increase in root mass "Root development is one of the strongest indicators of season-long crop performance," he says, listing increased uptake of nutrients and water, plus stress tolerance as key benefits of a greater root mass. +32.4% increase in leaf length "Larger leaf area increases sunlight interception and energy production, helping drive additional biomass and reproductive potential later in the season," he explains. Fiene says these mid-season results mirror findings from decades of soil health and residue management research, where microbial intervention consistently improved nutrient release, soil function, and crop performance. "Healthy biology drives healthy crops, and healthy crops drive profitable acres," he says. "And when plants start stronger, they typically finish stronger." "Early on, the goal was simply breaking down trash, so we actually named the original product TrashBreaker," explains Mitchell Fiene, Co-founder of Planet Earth Agronomy and Larry's son, citing Auburn University research showing a 50 percent reduction in residue with the product. "Now it does an even better job of breaking down residue, and we've documented many other benefits to crop production." Fiene ticked off the list: Saves fuel by reducing the need for tillage. Makes NPK you already own available for the next crop. Speeds crop and weed residue breakdown making nutrients available faster. Enables faster planting with fewer skips and a better stand. Boosts early root development and overall plant health. Reduces soil pathogens and improves soil biology through continued use "We've done soil DNA tests now for the last five years and we see pathogens at lower levels and less volunteer corn in our treated plots," he adds. "The name CARBON CYCLE better captures all these benefits. The product has really earned its new name." For most of agricultural history, a wide variety of heavy, iron tools have been used to physically manage crop residue. Bigger stronger plants, increased plant populations and higher yields have recently made the job even more difficult. Residue breakdown with CARBON CYCLE offers a biological alternative that can reduce the expense, labor requirements and damage to soil structure inherent with mechanical residue management. For farmers facing diesel and fertilizer costs nearly twice what they were a year ago, CARBON CYCLE offers a more economical path. CARBON CYCLE, Fiene explains, can be applied post-harvest, pre-plant, or early season with dry fertilizer, liquid fertility, and spray applications, including herbicide burndown applications to degrade crop residue and dying weeds more rapidly. "In a burndown application, CARBON CYCLE can make those weeds start to break down so that it won't hinder planting," he says. "When the planter goes through, the row cleaners, the disc openers, the coulters, everything will cut through that dead weed matter very easily, move it aside, and setting the seed in place to good seed soil contact." Fiene says his research has also shown that the eight-microbe consortium in CARBON CYCLE will work into the soil profile and supply the plant some help in defending itself against nematodes and fungal pathogens. "As we build populations of those microbes by using CARBON CYCLE, we're adding soil health, which adds to plant health and that gives us higher yields." The incremental improvement resulting in this latest residue management formulation seems to be a consistent theme running throughout Planet Earth Agronomy and their growing team of agronomic experts. "My father talks about the billions of dollars farmers have spent on iron for residue management and then abandoned. There's lots of equipment behind the shed that maybe was used 10 or 15 years ago to manage residue," Mitchell says. "So, figuring out how to best manage residue with biologicals has been a career-long project for my father and now for Planet Earth Agronomy. CARBON CYCLE is the result of all of that work, and it's has been improved continually as it's been used across millions of acres, whatever it's been called." The younger Fiene doesn't really see that his father will be totally satisfied with the product. "I know we'll continue working on it. We want to do things that are better for the soil, improve yields, and improve every farm's bottom line. Particularly for CARBON CYCLE, I don't think my dad will quit until we can go beyond 50% to more and more of the residue gone and returned as mineral nutrients to the soil," he smiles. To learn more about all the Planet Earth Agronomy products, visit www.planetearthagronomy.com About Planet Earth Agronomy Planet Earth Agronomy (www.planetearthagronomy.com) is an agronomic consulting and new product development business providing quality products, outstanding insight, and best-in-class service to farm businesses seeking to produce higher yields and greater return on investment while safeguarding their land for future generations. With research farms, offices and warehouses in Wisconsin and Nebraska, Planet Earth Agronomy is devoted to bringing proven innovative technology to growers seeking to earn more from every acre they farm. For more information, visit www.planetearthagronomy.com. Tweet |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
