3BarBiologics: Microbial innovations in packaging and delivery key to farmer uptake

As weed, fungal and insect pressures become increasingly difficult to manage, bio-solution popularity is on the rise. 3BarBio sets out to change grower experience, and ultimately trust, with bio-based products. As the only contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) focused on microbial products, the company spearheads new formulations, device designs, and supply chain solutions to streamline and improve biological applications.

Led by microbial scientists and engineers, 3BarBio has taken on some of the agricultural biological industry's toughest challenges. Recently, in collaboration with Indigo Ag, the teams announced the newly designed CLIPS device for streamlined, hands-free, seed-applied biological products.

"At the core of everything we do is the end user," says Jane Fife, 3BarBio chief technical officer. "Science tells us biologicals can work. But we know, creating a smooth process for integrating them on the farm is critical for success. The CLIPS device enables ag retail to easily attach the biological product to bulk seed boxes, and when a farmer slides the gate to fill their seed tender or planter, the talc-based biological product is released from the CLIPS device, and with sufficient seed tendering will evenly coat the seed."

3BarBio experts say ease of use isn't the only limiting factor in farmer uptake. Inconsistent field results create pause with farmer uptake as well.

"Microbial products work well in a controlled lab setting," Fife says. "But products have to be scalable, easy to use, and work in the field. Biological companies have to ask how do you formulate them, put them into a product package, and then deliver to ensure viable microbes at the point of use?"

The company has put their smart-engineering process to work with companies like, Indigo Ag's CLIPS device, Meristem's BIO-CAPSULE delivery system, and AMVAC's Simpas.

"Through innovative solutions in how microbes are being packaged and delivered, we are enabling the whole ag industry to make sure that these products work in the field, and in a supply chain that's reasonable," Fife says. "Our formulations ensure microbes are viable - paired with our design- engineering for easy application in the field, like the Indigo Ag CLIPS device - farmers will see higher efficacy and more consistent results."

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