Ep 8 – Replacing Urea with Biology? The Science Behind BioN

In this episode of Where Inches Matter, Allan Piercy interviews Gerhard Vermaak of Custom Chemistry, developer of BioN – a patented biological nitrogen fixation technology. Over the past three years, replicated New Zealand pasture trials have shown statistically significant results, with BioN matching or exceeding urea performance under commercial conditions.

Topics covered include:
• The energy equation behind nitrogen fixation
• Why microbes need carbon and how photosynthetic bacteria supply it
• The 1000:1 carbon-to-nitrogen relationship explained
• Water rates, soil volume and macro-porosity
• The role of molybdenum, cobalt and iron in nitrogenase function
• Cold weather performance
• Glyphosate, copper and microbial sensitivity
• Why this behaves like a true slow-release nitrogen source
• Patent status and global rollout

This is a technical discussion grounded in field data and real farm experience.

In Other News

Nitrogen Strategy in NZ: Reducing Reliance on Urea Without Reducing Growth

Nitrogen planning in New Zealand farming is no longer just about response and yield. Urea pricing is tied to global energy markets, and supply depends on international logistics and geopolitical stability. What was once a predictable
input is now less certain. As a result, the focus is shifting from how much nitrogen to apply, to how it is supplied across the season.

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