Jord Bioscience Revolutionizes Crop Protection Through Innovative Microbial Combinations

By Agroempresario.com

Biological crop protection is gaining momentum as an alternative to traditional methods, and one company leading this revolution is Jord Bioscience. Based in the United States, the company specializes in microbial solutions that not only harness the power of individual microbes but also optimize their interactions to enhance plant health and protect against pests and diseases.

According to Dr. Keri Carstens, President and CEO of Jord Bioscience, microbes should not be viewed as isolated entities in the soil but as components of a dynamic ecosystem that interact with each other. These interactions, she explains, can be leveraged to improve plant health and create more robust defenses against threats. By understanding these microbial dynamics, Jord is able to create tailor-made solutions that can be applied to major crops like soybeans, canola, and wheat.

Jord's approach differs from many other biological products in that it focuses on combining multiple microbes to work together synergistically, much like an orchestra. In this analogy, one microbe serves as the conductor, guiding the others on when to "play" louder, softer, faster, or slower, resulting in a more harmonious and effective system for plant protection.

Founded in 2019, Jord Bioscience's roots trace back to the 1990s and the pioneering work of Dr. Linda Kinkel from the University of Minnesota, who studied microbial ecology and its benefits to plant health. Her research focused on how microbes interact and how these interactions could be used to improve crop protection.

Jord has since expanded on this research, amassing a unique collection of over 6,500 microbes. These microbes can be selected and combined in various ways to enhance performance and produce specific outcomes in agricultural settings. For example, if a company has an existing product, Jord can help identify which microbes in their collection will complement and amplify its effects. Alternatively, Jord can develop entirely new biological products based on their vast microbial library and their expert playbook.

Carstens believes that this approach can significantly accelerate the development of new biological products. What traditionally takes years to develop in the crop protection industry, Jord is able to shorten to just about 10 months. This rapid timeline is especially valuable in an industry where the typical product development process can take seven years or more.

Jord also offers a "Biological Playbook" for crop protection, which takes a different approach from the industry’s traditional reliance on chemical solutions. “The industry has mostly applied a chemistry playbook to biological products,” Carstens explains. “That’s not wrong, but it’s definitely not optimized for living things.” Jord’s playbook is focused on the unique interactions between microbes, allowing them to perform consistently across various environmental conditions. By understanding how biologicals respond to different environments, Jord helps agribusiness partners optimize their products for better results.

The need for effective biological crop protection tools has never been more pressing, especially given the growing challenges farmers face. From climate change and new diseases to pest resistance and regulatory hurdles for synthetic chemicals, the agricultural industry requires innovative solutions. According to Carstens, one of the biggest obstacles in the adoption of biologicals is their inconsistent performance. "Farmers need reliable tools that will consistently work," she says. "Only then will we see the widespread adoption of biologicals."

This need for consistency applies to both regenerative and conventional farming. Ultimately, it’s about providing farmers with better solutions to overcome the growing list of agricultural challenges.

Jord Bioscience is making significant strides toward commercialization. The company recently closed a $7 million Series B funding round, led by VC firm Silver Blue, with participation from Discovery Capital Funding and other investors. This funding will help Jord continue its product development and commercialization efforts.

Carstens emphasizes that this new capital will allow Jord to accelerate its later-stage product development and continue its partnerships as it moves closer to bringing its innovative solutions to market. With these advancements, Jord Bioscience is positioning itself as a key player in the future of crop protection, offering farmers more effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly tools to manage their crops.