Scientists have unlocked a new ingredient to help improve soil health

A good crop starts with healthy soil, and one company is turning its attention to a unique ingredient for answers.

“We take soil samples, isolate certain strains of algae, and then use that to help generate activity in the soil through feeding the microbiome. The algae serve as kind of the basic building block of the food chain if you will. And we see changes from, you know, biological, physical, and chemical changes in the soil, talking about things like enhancing soil health, improving soil fertility, looking at soil structural changes,” said Dave Booher.

Booher says the end goal is to improve soil and plant health while increasing productivity.

Related Stories
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.
Read the full press release published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments provide immediate balance-sheet support heading into 2026, but remain a short-term bridge rather than a substitute for long-term market recovery.
The New Year is here, but in Oregon, some ranchers and livestock producers are still trying to recover from record wildfires back in 2024.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Kip Eideberg with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers details its campaign spotlighting the people who build equipment vital to farming and food manufacturing.
Buzzard discusses her upcoming appearance on the Dirt Diaries podcast with host Kirbe Schnoor and the importance of sharing authentic stories about agriculture.
Dr. Jeffrey Gold, President of the University of Nebraska, joined us to break down what telehealth entails and which conditions can be managed through remote appointments.
Improved export prospects and higher crop prices strengthened future expectations despite continued caution about spending.
While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.