Sep 12, 2024

Bion nitrogen fertilizer now OMRI listed for organic use

Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc.’s commercial 10-0-0 nitrogen fertilizer is now OMRI listed for organic use.

Bion’s patented Ammonia Recovery System (ARS) captures nitrogen from manure that would otherwise be lost to the environment and converts it into a form that supports organic fruits, vegetables, and grains.

The OMRI listing means Bion’s fertilizer can be used throughout the plant growth cycle via drip systems, irrigation, soil injection and foliar spraying. It is expected to benefit high-value specialty crops, hydroponic systems and greenhouse applications, as well as improve cover crop effectiveness in various regions.

Traditional manure applications can lose up to 75% of their nitrogen content, but Bion’s fertilizer addresses this by stabilizing ammonia with carbon dioxide, turning it into ammonium bicarbonate — a fully soluble nitrogen source.

“Our technology significantly reduces nitrogen runoff and off-gassing, protecting surface waters and the atmosphere,” Turk Stovall, Bion’s CEO, said in a news release. “It also helps balance soil microbes and improves the productivity of organic systems.”

Bion’s product aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with current organic systems and the nitrogen runoff and off-gassing to protect surface waters, aquifers and the atmosphere. It can quickly bring soil microbes in organic systems back to a healthy and productive balance and reduce the yield gap of organic crops as compared to conventional, according to the release.

“This innovation enables us to apply nutrients more precisely and efficiently,” Stovall said in a press release.

The nitrogen fertilizer can now be transported and applied to organic crops, according to the 4Rs (right rate, right source, right placement and right timing).

Because the nitrogen is now separated from the phosphorus, potassium and other minerals in the manure, crop nitrogen needs can now be addressed independently, promoting efficient use and good soil health, according to the release.

Based in Billings, Montana, Bion Environmental Technologies specializes in developing advanced technology for treating livestock waste. In plain English, they take animal poop and turn it into money. They process the waste back into biogas, clean water, and fertilizer.