If Biostimulants Can Reduce Input Costs for Australian Farmers, Why Is Adoption Not Greater?

Great to connect at the Bio-Inputs Conference in Melbourne with Rob Hulme of The Boralis Group and Dr Michael Crawford, CEO of Soil CRC.

Valuable conversations about agricultural innovation, biological inputs and the importance of translating promising technologies into practical, commercially meaningful outcomes for Australian growers.

I recently attended the Bio-Inputs Conference at Crown Melbourne, where discussions reinforced my interest in the potential for biostimulants to help farmers improve nutrient-use efficiency, manage input costs and build more resilient farming systems.

With fertiliser, fuel and other input costs putting pressure on farm margins, the opportunity is significant. But if biostimulants can deliver economic benefits, why is adoption not greater?

From my perspective, there are 5 key barriers:

• Too many products, not enough clarity. Growers need credible evidence and practical demonstrations, not just product claims.

• One size does not fit all. Soil type, crop, seasonal conditions and application timing all influence performance.

• Practicality matters. Products must fit existing farming practices without adding unnecessary labour, machinery passes or complexity.

• Quality and consistency are essential. Growers need confidence in product quality, supplier credibility and performance claims.

• The economics must stack up. Can products improve nutrient-use efficiency or optimise fertiliser inputs without compromising yield or quality? Do the benefits justify the cost?

The opportunity is not simply to sell more products. It is to help growers identify where the right products can deliver measurable economic value.

At Frontier Impact Group and through our network of associates, we provide advisory support and help growers and landholders navigate the biologicals market. Our focus is on identifying suitable products, exploring opportunities to optimise inputs, working alongside growers and their agronomists, and prioritising product quality and commercially meaningful results.

Our technical approach is supported by Shawn Butters, Technical Director at Frontier Impact Group, who brings more than 35 years of experience in the biostimulant sector.

The conference reinforced my belief that biostimulants deserve serious consideration. Wider adoption, however, will depend on demonstrating where products work, under what conditions, and whether the benefits justify the cost. 

If biostimulants can help reduce input costs and improve farm profitability, the challenge is to turn that potential into measurable results.

What do you see as the biggest barrier to greater biostimulant adoption in Australian agriculture?

#Biostimulants #Agriculture #FarmProfitability #Agronomy #AustralianAgriculture #FrontierImpactGroup