Reducing N and boosting yield with Hopper Throttle

HANCOCK, Wis. — Mark Bacon has done extensive on-farm research, pushing yield increases and cost-savings on his family’s 6,500-acre corn, soybean and vegetable operation.

“Back in 2022 when nitrogen got so expensive, we decided to try different products, including Revline Hopper Throttle Corn Ether from Meristem, and cut back on our nitrogen application by 35 to 40 units for corn,” he said.

“Since then, we’ve stopped buying other products because the Meristem products have been easier to use and much more cost-effective. The Hopper Throttle Corn Ether is about half of the per-acre cost of the nitrogen we’re cutting out and we’re usually seeing a 3- to 5-bushel increase in our corn yield compared to the standard nitrogen application rates.”

Revline Hopper Throttle Corn Ether is an advanced planter box system that combines seed fluency, micronutrients and live biology in a convenient delivery system that can replace any seed fluency agent.

The patented Bio-Capsule Technology delivery system allows for the addition of multiple biological solutions safely packaged for convenient, live deployment at planting.

Ether Enzyme Technology kick-starts the uptake of available soil nutrients and water while maximizing microbial activity.

Bacon also took a split-field look at naked soybeans treated with Revline Hopper Throttle Soybean Ether compared to soybeans with traditional seed treatment and inoculant.

The Revline Hopper Throttle products are applied at the planter using IonLock Zinc to increase singulation and adhere microbes to seed coats while providing valuable early nutrition at emergence.

Revline’s industry leading biostimulant PPFM strains generate massive root structure, positioning plants to manage season-long stressors and optimize genetic potential.

“The Hopper Throttle Soybean out-yielded our standard seed treatment by 3 to 4 bushels,” Bacon said.

As more on-farm results have demonstrated their value, Bacon Farms Inc. in Waushara County in central Wisconsin has been steadily increasing the use of Meristem Crop Performance products.

“With the success we’ve seen, we’re expanding the use of Meristem products every year, including Hopper Throttle, and we’re trying new products like Upshift C Plus this year,” Bacon said.

With positive on-farm research results from around the country, more farmers are looking to Meristem products for taking cost out in 2026.

“Meristem has an industry-leading portfolio of tools, and no one knows better than the farmer how to best implement those tools into their operation,” said Mitch Eviston, Meristem founder and CEO.

“On farm research is a great way to see how Meristem products can be best used on the farm to take cost out and produce more bushels for less in 2026 and beyond.”