Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Intern, Cheyenne Leach, got the chance to visit with the Director of Business Development at Evoia, Keith Vodrazka, and the Evoia Commercialization Lead, Stephanie Gable, about how Evoia is paving the way for innovative and climate-friendly agriculture.
“Evoia is a startup company in the bio-stimulant space,” Vodrazka said. “Our focus is to bring simple solutions inspired by nature to growers. We intend to do that, and we are going to do that by harnessing the benefits of fire in a way that is sustainable and environmentally friendly.”
Evoia Commercialization Lead, Stephanie Gable said it is important to make sure that farmers who have been doing the same practices for decades to keep their soil and environment healthy continue to do so, but improve upon those skills as time goes on.
“We are seeing lots of changes happen on the global front, from climate change to population increases, and farmers can’t keep doing what they have been doing in the past, so they have to look for different solutions,” Gable said. “Evoia has had the chance to actually put forward a solution that is based in nature, and that gives it an extra benefit.”
Evoia offers a product called AmpliFYR™, which is a proprietary seed treatment for row crops that increases seedling root and shoot growth, improves seedling vigor, and enhances the ability of the seedling to tolerate abiotic stress. As a result, the use of AmpliFYR™ leads to a more consistent, uniform, and vigorous establishment of the crop, increasing the potential of higher crop yields.
Vodrazka said AmpliFYR™ is an easy-to-use liquid formulation that is a liquid biochar extract that uses beneficial compounds to help plants establish better and withstand stress better, and ultimately give the grower a better return for their investment.
Regarding the best approach for the climate-smart agriculture method, Gable said farmers need to understand the available new technology, how it performs in their environment and how it can be improved.
“Taking that technology, whether it is a seed treatment or a method of application or a tillage practice, and really putting it to use in their farm,” Gable said said. “We know that every farm is different, but trying to make sure you have that date, you have that information, and you are not afraid to try new things.”
