To continue to increase our crop yields profitably in most of our Ohio soils to the level of 300 bushel corn and 100 bushel soybeans, we need to improve our soils biological health and soil tilth.  Once the prerequisites of proper drainage, pH, and fertility balance have been accomplished, we have the challenge of improving our soils’ ability to supply water and nutrients in order to grow each bushel more efficiently.  We believe our “High N-ER-G” Advanced Cropping System accomplishes these requirements to effectively grow higher yields profitability.


One of the more exciting new findings in the understanding of plant physiology is that as soon as a seed imbibes water and new cells are starting to form, these cells sends out sensors to help determine the environment in which they are growing.  Based on the signals that are sent back to the cells from these sensors, the new developing cells determine their genetic expression to fit that environment.  It has been found that by having specific compounds available to these early sensors, they can influence the genetic expression that will occur.  Once these early cells develop a pattern of specific genetic expressions, these patterns will continue to be repeated as new cells and plant growth develops.  This reaction is called Epigenetic.  Our “High N-ER G” Advanced Cropping System applies what we have learned in influencing early cell expression.


It is well understood and recognized that in order to accomplish very high yield, a plant requires a large and aggressive root system. What is also necessary and that sometimes is not understood is that the roots need to develop the right architecture, and that means having aggressive noodle roots that drive down deep into the soil profile.  In a plants growth cycle, the necessary time for a plant to develop that type of root system it is going to have is in the early seedling stage of growth, usually in the first 40 to 50 days of growth.  After that time a plant starts diverting its energy to growing the leaves and stalk and then starting seed development.  Our “High N-ER G” Advanced Cropping System enhances the genetic expression early in a plant development to grow a deep and aggressive root architecture.


The purpose of a plant is to capture sunlight and through the process of photosynthesis create proteins and simple sugars. Air, sunlight and water are the initial requirements for a plant to accomplish this.  We have learned that by adding sufficient amounts of all necessary plant food nutrients that a plant will greatly increase its ability to produce energy that will develop a better plant and then also will produce more seed.  Much has been learned in recent times about what nutrients are needed and in what amounts to produce more energy and better crop yields.  However, we are reaching a point where the effectiveness, and profitability of just continuing to add more and higher rates of nutrients to our soils will not be feasible or even allowed due to environmental effects.  What we must accomplish is to have plants become more efficient in producing more energy with each unit of plant food, water, and sunlight available to it.  Our “High N-ER G” Advanced Cropping System is developing increasing results each year in improving plant efficiencies per unit of product being produced.


Many new exciting things are being learned during the past couple of years in what affects a plants cells ability to produce more energy and to do it more efficiently. Through the relationships we have developed over the past years with leading research agronomists and companies we feel we are on the leading edge of gaining greater genetic expression of yield from the great genetic potential our seeds have today.  It requires using a system approach that promotes soil health and plant health.


There are many, many products available and being promoted as the answer to improve crop yields for farmers today.  More new products are being developed each year, and some of them will have good value and performance. But, it is our belief at Widmer & Associates that the most effective way to continue to increase yields, remain competitive and profitable, is by developing a complete managed system approach that provides inputs that work together to maximize a plants genetic expression in the environment it is growing in.  We believe

“High N-ER G” Advanced Cropping System accomplishes these objectives.

Humic Folvic Ulmic acid roles in agriculture (PDF download)