Prep Corn and Soybeans for Spring
Start planning your spring farm plan now! Corn and soybean farmers know all too well that the groundwork being laid now can dramatically impact your crops next spring. But how can you start actually building that success from the ground up? The key to unlocking a higher-yielding spring starts with the right combination of liquid calcium, microbial support, and early nutrient access. Three tools deliver that system: Advanced-Cal, Bio-Act, and 3-18-18+.
Each plays a distinct role, but together they form a complete early-season program to correct soil structure, fuel microbial life, and drive plant health from day one
Advanced-Cal (Liquid Calcium for Soil Foundation)
Healthy soil starts with balanced calcium. Unfortunately, many fields across the Corn Belt still fall short of the ideal 65-75% calcium base saturation. When calcium is low, the result is tight, acidic soil that ties up nutrients, restricts root growth, and leads to inconsistent emergence.
Farmers have long turned to limestone to correct calcium levels. But dry lime can take up to a year to break down, and only a fraction becomes plant-available. That delay creates a bottleneck for yield potential, especially in corn and soybeans, which depend heavily on calcium during early cell division and root formation.
Advanced-Cal offers a better solution. As a bio-active liquid calcium system, Adv-Cal corrects low base saturation and soil pH quickly, typically within weeks of application. It combines the fast-acting calcium of Pro-Cal with a rich profile of micronutrients and carbon energy to jumpstart both the soil and the crop.
Why apply to corn and beans?
- Adv-Cal increases calcium saturation without waiting on lime to break down.
- It stabilizes pH, unlocking phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium tied up in acidic soils.
- The added carbon and micronutrient blend feeds microbial life, boosting biological activity before the crop even emerges.
When applied during winter or early spring, Adv-Cal gives corn and soybeans a clean slate and a nutrient-friendly environment.
Bio-Act (Feeding Microbials for Early Growth)
Once the soil pH is corrected and calcium levels are balanced, the next step is to activate soil biology. This is where Bio-Act becomes essential.
Bio-Act is more than a micronutrient blend, it’s a microbial stimulant, humic acid source, and carbon energy package all in one. When applied to the soil or as an in-furrow starter, Bio-Act delivers critical trace elements and organic materials that spark microbial reproduction and nutrient cycling.
Healthy microbial populations break down organic matter, unlock tied-up nutrients, and support stronger root development. Corn and soybean plants rely heavily on early microbial activity to access nutrients in cool spring soils. Bio-Act ensures that those microbes are not only alive but thriving when planting begins.
Why apply to corn and beans?
- Boosts soil microbial activity by feeding bacteria and fungi essential for nutrient conversion
- Enhances phosphorus and potassium availability at the root zone
- Supports stronger germination, uniform emergence, and early vigor
- Increases photosynthetic activity and root mass
For growers who have struggled with uneven emergence or poor early growth, Bio-Act provides the biological energy needed to drive consistency across the field.
3-18-18+ (Early Nutrients Plus More)
Once the soil is conditioned with Adv-Cal and Bio-Act, corn and soybeans need immediate access to phosphorus and potassium during early vegetative growth. That’s where 3-18-18+ fits in.
This orthophosphate liquid fertilizer delivers 100% immediately available phosphorus and potassium, with the added bonus of the Bio-Act package already included. It offers a powerful in-furrow or early foliar option that feeds the crop during its most sensitive stages of growth.
In cold spring soils, traditional dry fertilizers often remain unavailable for weeks. 3-18-18+ bypasses that delay. It delivers what the plant needs, when it needs it, without loss to fixation or leaching.
Why apply to corn and beans?
- Phosphorus fuels root development and early energy production.
- Potassium strengthens stem structure and enhances water regulation.
- The Bio-Act package inside adds trace minerals and microbial support for better nutrient uptake.
For spring planting, 3-18-18+ offers a fast, reliable start that aligns with the needs of both corn and soybeans. Its seed-safe formulation makes it an ideal pop-up or in-furrow fertilizer.
Plan for Spring During Winter
While spring application is critical, the planning and ordering must happen now. Most soil tests reveal that even high-performing fields have opportunities for better calcium balance, improved microbial activity, or early nutrient availability.
Putting these tools together forms a powerful spring system:
- Apply Adv-Cal during winter or early spring. Correct pH and calcium saturation ahead of planting.
- Use Bio-Act to feed microbial life and condition the soil biology for planting.
- Apply 3-18-18+ at planting for rapid nutrient access and an additional Bio-Act boost.
Together, these products transform your soil from dormant to dynamic, ready to support uniform emergence, early vigor, and higher yield potential.
Building Toward a Stronger Spring
Agronomy isn’t just about what you apply. It’s about when you apply, and why you choose the inputs you do. Corn and soybean farmers who understand the role of liquid calcium, microbial support, and early fertility are building their success before the season begins. Solutions like Adv-Cal, 3-18-18+ and Bio-Act simplify that process. This winter, don’t wait for spring to start planning. Start conditioning your soil, feeding your microbes, and preparing your seedbed so you can plant with confidence!
To speak with a soil advisor or to place an order, call AgriTec at 833-247-4832