Location: Kanorado, KS

Challenge 

• Limited water availability limits yield potential. 

Farm Goals

• Reduce chemical and water inputs; increase corn yield

Trial Setup

• A split-field design was used to compare TerraFlow^®-treated corn and untreated corn for agronomic performance. Control and treatment acres had similar topography and soil types.
• Fertilizer rates, seed variety, planting populations and dates, irrigation rates and harvest dates remained consistent between control and treatment fields. 
• Soil moisture sensors were installed at various depths within the profile to compare moisture availability in the control and treated sides of the field. These readings were collected every hour and condensed into monthly totals. 
• Industry-standard scouting techniques were implemented throughout the season to monitor early crop development. 
• Control and treated areas were harvested separately, and scale tickets captured average yields in each representative area. 
• A paired T-Test and Least Significant Difference analysis were performed on this data.

Trial Results

The following results were observed in the UpTerra-treated field, relative to the control. These results were achieved despite limited irrigation during peak summer heat in August and September.

• 16.8% yield increase (+15.3 bu/ac) 
• $72.06 of additional income per acre 
• 18-20% absolute moisture availability increase, representing a 27-29% relative increase in soil moisture over the control  
• Stronger root systems, more vigorous plant growth and higher NDVI values throughout the season

Bushels Per Acre16.8% Change

Income Generation

	Bushels Per Acre	Income Per Acre
Treatment	106.2	500.20
Control	90.9	428.14
Increased Value with UpTerra	15.3 bu/ac	$72.06/acre

**Assumption: Corn price of $4.71 per bushel

Soil Moisture Retention

Available Water (%)	UpTerra Treatment	Control	Absolute Percent Difference	Relative Percentage Change
August	77.89	79.49	-1.60	-2.01
September	88.06	67.79	20.27	29.89
October	86.68	68.15	18.53	27.20

Biomass Accumulation

Satellite imagery captured biomass accumulation throughout the season. The treated corn had nearly 15% more biomass during critical reproductive growth stages, potentially improving the plant’s ability to capture light energy for grain fill. 

Agronomy Field Assessments

The treatment and control fields were visited throughout the season to observe crop development. The TerraFlow-treated field showed clear agronomic advantages, as shown below. The treatment field’s higher NDVI values validate field observations that TerraFlow provided:

• Greater moisture retention
• Denser root mass
• Improved plant development

Jul 13, 2023	Root dig comparisons between treated and control plants Observations:Greater leaf areaIncreased root massMore vigorous growth
Aug 24, 2023	Late-season ear development (approximately 3 weeks before harvest) Observations:Increased ear sizeIncreased kernel counts

Key Trial Takeaways

• The results indicate that TerraFlow has a positive impact on plant health, corn yield, farm profitability and soil health.
• Based on field scouting, the TerraFlow-treated crop got a stronger start, which had season-long advantages for harnessing more light energy to build yield.
• Improved root health helped the crop extract more moisture and nutrients at critical growth stages, optimizing plant health.
• Better moisture availability in the soil helped reduce plant stress during peak summer heat and dry conditions. 
• This trial suggests that TerraFlow can help corn growers achieve higher yields and better water management, improving overall profitability potential. 

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