Third round of Stratovation Group study reveals stronger product perceptions, increased use across corn, soybean and wheat acres, growing trust in university Extension and biopesticides as next growth frontier.

Farmer awareness of biological crop products remains high, and new research from Stratovation Group suggests the market is entering a more mature phase. Confidence is rising. Biofertilizer and biopesticide adoption is accelerating. And biologicals are becoming more deeply integrated into mainstream crop production decisions.

The 2026 Row Crop Biologicals Study, conducted by Stratovation Group, was made possible by the support of sponsors Pivot Bio, Indigo, AgriThority, and the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology.

“The data tells us that agricultural biologicals are continuing their transition from an emerging technology to a management tool that many farmers are actively evaluating and incorporating into their operations,” said Cam Camfield, founder and CEO of Stratovation Group. “What’s particularly noteworthy is that we’re seeing stronger perceptions and increased adoption occurring simultaneously. Farmers are hearing more about biologicals; they are gaining experience with their use and growing more confident in their value.”

Key findings include:

• Broad awareness of biologicals, including biopesticides, biofertilizers and biostimulants, remained strong at nearly 90% of respondents
• Positive perceptions of biological products increased, with top ratings (8–10 on a 10-point scale) rising 6 percentage points compared with the previous study in 2024
• Awareness and positive perception of biofertilizers increased 11 percentage points in both areas compared to 2024, while usage increased 10 percentage points.
• The use of biopesticides is emerging as the next growth frontier. Use increased by 9 percentage points from the 2024 study, the largest increase recorded since Stratovation Group began tracking their adoption.
• More than half of the respondents currently purchase or use biological products
• Farmers reported increased biological use overall on corn (+5 points), soybeans (+8 points) and wheat (+10 points)

The increase in biopesticide use suggests farmers are expanding their view of biologicals beyond soil health and nutrient management to include pest and disease management strategies.

The study also identified meaningful shifts in how farmers gather information and make crop input decisions. University Extension services and fellow farmers both saw significant increases as trusted advisors, each gaining 11 percentage points since the previous study. One notable decline was that trust ratings for independent seed sales representatives dropped 17 percentage points, the largest single shift recorded in the study. Farmers continue to rely heavily on retailers, cooperatives, certified crop advisors, and university-backed information when evaluating new technologies.

Purchasing channel patterns also shifted: direct purchases from manufacturers increased 11 percentage points, and purchases through independent retailers increased 10 percentage points compared with the 2024 study.

“Farmers are becoming more sophisticated consumers of biological products,” Camfield said. “They’re seeking information from multiple trusted sources, evaluating performance carefully, and increasingly looking for products that can demonstrate consistent agronomic and economic value. Yield performance and return on investment are major considerations.”

While momentum continues to build, the research highlights persistent challenges. Among farmers who previously used biologicals but discontinued their use, the most common reasons cited were cost and underperformance relative to expectations. Those concerns have remained consistent across all three rounds of the study.

“Performance and economics remain the industry’s proving ground,” Camfield added. “Farmers hold biological products to the same standards they apply to every other crop input. Companies that can demonstrate reliable ROI and communicate it effectively will be best positioned for long-term success.”

The third round of the study extends Stratovation Group’s ongoing research into farmer perceptions, adoption patterns, purchasing behavior, and attitudes toward biological crop inputs.

The 2026 Row Crop Biologicals Study was conducted by Stratovation Group among 604 row-crop farmers producing corn, soybeans, and wheat. The research was conducted as a blind study during the first quarter of 2026, with no sponsor brands or partner organizations identified to participants. The study examines awareness, perceptions, adoption, purchasing behavior, usage patterns, and challenges related to biological crop inputs.

The research was conducted in promotional partnership with the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), D.C. Legislative & Regulatory Services (DCLRS), the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA), and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

 

About Stratovation Group

Stratovation Group is an agricultural market research, insights and consulting firm that helps organizations understand the evolving attitudes, behaviors and decision-making processes of farmers, agribusiness professionals and rural stakeholders. Through proprietary research and strategic analysis, the firm helps clients identify opportunities, evaluate market trends and develop data-driven business strategies