In 2025, US agricultural real estate averaged $4,350 per acre, cropland $5,830, and pastureland $1,920. As prices rise, farmers looking to transfer land face an important question: how do you preserve and enhance an asset this valuable for future generations? 

At the heart of that discussion lies soil health.

Farmland values have climbed for five consecutive years. Traditional appraisals focus on inherent soil qualities such as texture, drainage, and slope rather than on soil health practices. This means two fields with different management histories often receive the same valuation.

Yet healthier soils deliver real benefits that appraisals may miss:

Improved resilience during droughts or heavy rainfall

Long-term viability for the next generation

By investing in soil health now, landowners can sustain value and productivity, making succession smoother and more lucrative.

The average US farmer is nearing 60, and a significant share of agricultural land is managed by those planning to retire in the coming years. Without a clear plan, valuable farmland can be lost to development or passed on with depleted soils. 

For heirs and buyers, long-term viability matters as much as the asset’s price. Farms with well-managed soils and consistent profitability should attract more interest and command higher prices.

In the context of succession planning, soil health directly impacts the bottom line.

A study by the Soil Health Institute found net income gains of $51.60 per acre for corn and $44.80 for soybeans when farmers adopted soil health practices.

Reduced fertilizer costs, better yields, and enhanced resilience to extreme weather outweigh expenses such as cover crop seed.

Nearly all participating farmers reported greater weather resilience.

Further, while soil health improvements aren’t yet systematically reflected in appraisals, momentum is building. 

Appraisers and lenders increasingly consider evidence such as organic matter tests, yield records, and reduced fertilizer use. Documenting these improvements strengthens your case in private sales or succession discussions. Farms with well-managed soils are likely to earn premiums as valuations evolve, while those with degraded soils may face discounts.

Improving soil health doesn't need to take decades. 

Practices like reducing tillage and maintaining cover can show results within a few seasons. Biological amendments can accelerate progress even further. Re‑Gen helps break down crop residue in the same season, releasing nutrients back to the root zone and improving the soil microbiome. These quick wins boost both profitability and conservation goals.

Used alongside practices such as cover crops and thoughtful nutrient management, Re-Gen helps farmers make good soils even better, ensuring that farmland passed on to the next generation remains resilient.

Assess your baseline: Test and document soil organic matter, nutrient levels, and structure.

Adopt practices now: Even in the final years of active farming, adopting reduced tillage, cover crops, and efficient nutrient management can quickly improve soil health.

Track economics: Maintain records of costs, yields, and labor. This data builds confidence with heirs and prospective buyers.

Share results: Provide appraisers and lenders with soil test results and management history to highlight improvements.

Plan with stewardship in mind: A clear succession plan that includes soil health expectations ensures that both value and legacy are preserved.

Succession planning is more than transferring property. It’s about handing down a viable, resilient business. 

Healthy soils enhance profitability, reduce risk, and make farmland more attractive to heirs and buyers. While appraisal systems continue to evolve, farmers who invest in and document soil health today are positioning their operations for stronger land values and smoother transitions tomorrow.
Re-Gen can make a tangible difference in your farm’s soil health, today and tomorrow. If you’d like to learn more, we’d love to hear from you.

Land Succession, Soil Health, and the Bottom Line

The benefits of reduced tillage are clear. Less fuel, less labor, better soil structure. But one challenge remains: residue.

Many farmers turn to nitrogen to manage it. Extra N speeds decomposition and helps maintain yields when heavy stalks slow things down. The problem is, that nitrogen doesn’t always stay where you want it. Runoff carries it away, raising both environmental concerns and fertilizer bills. Over time, those costs can erode the financial gains of reduced tillage.

Re-Gen was built for this situation. By accelerating residue breakdown and releasing nutrients already tied up in stalks and stems, it reduces the need to lean so heavily on added nitrogen.

The economics of nitrogen under reduced tillage

Residue protects soil but ties up nutrients as it decomposes. When microbes consume the carbon in stalks and stems, they pull nitrogen out of the soil to fuel the process. Crops can be left short during critical growth windows.

The common solution is simple: apply more N. But this “insurance” carries hidden costs:

Higher fertilizer bills. Nationally, nitrogen prices have fluctuated between $0.40 and $1.00 per unit over the past decade. On a 200-acre corn farm, an extra 40 units/acre can add $3,200–$8,000 to annual costs.

Losses to runoff or leaching. Studies suggest 20–40% of applied nitrogen may never be used by the crop. That’s money spent with no return.

Reducing ROI. Reduced tillage saves fuel (often $20–$40/acre) and labor, but when nitrogen use climbs to compensate for residue, those savings can vanish.

In other words: nitrogen can keep yields steady, but it can also cancel out the financial case for conservation tillage.

Crop residues contain significant nutrient and biological value—value that can be captured instead of replaced with synthetic fertilizer.

When residue is left to decompose slowly, much of that value remains locked up through the growing season. The farmer still pays for added nitrogen to fill the gap. But when residue decomposition is accelerated, those nutrients cycle back sooner and offset the need for added fertilizer.

In other words, every pound of nitrogen you don’t have to apply is not just a stewardship win. It’s a direct savings.

Residue breaks down because of biology, not tillage. Fungi begin the process by tackling lignin and cellulose, while bacteria follow with faster nutrient release. In reduced-till systems, fungi should dominate, creating steady, long-term nutrient cycling. But when residue overwhelms the system, growers often resort to nitrogen to keep things moving.

That short-circuits the biology. Large early N applications fuel bacteria, leading to a quick flush of nutrients that may not align with crop demand. The crop still needs sidedress, and some of the early nitrogen is lost. The result is more money spent with less efficiency.

Supporting the biology directly—rather than forcing it with nitrogen—keeps the natural succession on track. That means nutrients come off residue in a steadier, more predictable way that aligns with crop uptake.

Re-Gen is ideal for residue-rich, reduced-till systems. Applied directly to stalks and stems, its blend of fungi and bacteria complements the natural decomposition process. Because the microbes are freeze-dried and reanimated on-farm, they can be applied at densities far higher than typical biologicals—on the order of 100,000X more organisms per acre.

Recaptured up to $218 per acre of NPK from corn residue

Increased corn yields by about 20 bushels per acre

Improved milk yield in silage systems by nearly 4%

On average, these results translated to a 5X return on investment. Just as importantly, they reduced reliance on added nitrogen by making residue part of the fertility program instead of an obstacle.

Practical economics for reduced-till farms

Account for real costs. Fuel and labor savings from reduced tillage can total $25–$40 per acre. But if managing residue requires an extra $20–$30 in nitrogen, much of that advantage is lost.

Factor in loss. Research shows 30–50 percent of applied N can be lost to leaching, runoff, or volatilization. At $0.75 per pound, losing 30 pounds per acre is over $20 gone with no return.

Value your residue. Corn stover can hold $200 or more in nutrients per acre. With the right biology, those nutrients offset purchased fertilizer. Without it, they remain tied up while you pay again for replacements.

Track your returns. Side-by-side strips show whether accelerated residue breakdown lets you cut early N rates without sacrificing yield. Even a 10% reduction in applied nitrogen can drive significant ROI.

Farmers who have already reduced tillage are on the path to healthier soils. But many are offsetting residue challenges with higher nitrogen rates, raising both costs and runoff risks. Added nitrogen may solve a short-term problem, but it eats into the long-term financial case for reduced tillage.

Re-Gen offers a different approach. By unlocking the nutrient value of residue, it reduces dependence on added N, improves planting conditions, and makes reduced-till systems more profitable.

It is not a stand-alone solution. Cover crops, nutrient management, and reduced disturbance remain essential. But for farmers caught in the nitrogen tradeoff, Re-Gen can help tip the balance—turning residue from a cost driver into a source of return.

Re-Gen and Conservation Tillage: More Microbes, Less Nitrogen

From GPS-guided tractors to soil sensors and satellite imagery, modern-day technology has driven farming forward in countless ways. 

But, as much as tech helps, it can also get in the way—locking up your equipment, increasing your maintenance costs, or complicating what you already know to be true.

At IMIO, we believe tech works best when it fades to the background. When it doesn't stand in the way of farmers doing what they know is best. 

That’s the philosophy behind Re-Gen. It’s a practical tool that quickly, reliably upgrades your existing fertility program without requiring complex changes.

We think of Re-Gen as common-sense biotech. It’s designed for a single purpose: to help you get more from what’s already in your fields.

That means pulling nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back out of the plant material you’ve already invested in—corn stalks, romaine residue, cover crops—and putting it to work for your next crop.

With a simple mix-and-spray application, Re-Gen delivers:

20+ bushel yield increases in corn trials

Nutrient Recapture, Not Residue Management

Most residue products aim to make crop waste “go away.” But let’s call that what it is: wasteful.

There’s real nutrient value locked in every stem and stalk. If you’re not unlocking it, you’re leaving money in the field. 

Re-Gen wasn’t made for test plots or theoretical models. It was built for the real-world pressures of farming—tight windows, unpredictable weather, and the need to make every input count.

That’s why everything about Re-Gen is designed for simplicity and reliability:

Shelf-stable storage: Re-Gen ships as a freeze-dried powder with no special storage requirements. Just toss it on the shelf and pull it down when you’re ready.

Easy mixing: Add water, wait a few hours, and you’re good to go. You don't need special tanks, agitators, or complicated protocols. Farmers use Re-Gen in their existing spray equipment with minimal adjustment.

Flexible application: Re-Gen fits seamlessly into your existing workflow. Whether you’re running 10-gallon ground rigs or flying low with a drone, Re-Gen applies clean and stays active. It works with most water sources.

No system overhaul required: Re-Gen isn’t another “stack” or specialty system. It’s a plug-and-play upgrade. Spray it on your residue, and let the biology do the work.

Re-Gen is a practical upgrade to your fertility program. One that gives you more from what you already have. 

So if you’re looking for one piece of tech that actually keeps things simple, take a closer look at Re-Gen.

Because the best tech delivers results without getting in your way.

Want to learn more about Re-Gen? We'd love to start a conversation.

Common Sense Over Complexity

Biologicals have been around for decades. And for just as long, farmers have heard the same promise: that these natural products can reduce dependence on synthetic inputs while maintaining or improving yields.

But here’s the problem: most biologicals don’t deliver consistent performance or ROI.

They sound good in theory, but in the real world—with its unpredictable weather, soil variability, and tight planting windows—the one that you farm in—they rarely perform as advertised. Ask any agronomist, and you’ll hear it again and again: Biologicals just aren’t reliable.

At IMIO, we’ve spent years working to change that.

The truth is, most biologicals need a lot of things to go right in order to work.

They’re sensitive to heat and handling. Many lose effectiveness in shipping or storage, long before they reach your soil. Farmers were often told to just mix them in with their usual inputs without being warned that herbicides, fungicides, or even water quality could kill off the microbes.

And once they were in the field? The microbes still had a long list of hurdles: survive harsh field conditions, colonize plant roots, form multi-stage symbiotic relationships, all while competing with native microbes in the soil.

Some growers saw benefits. Many didn’t. What sounded great in the sales pitch often didn’t show up on the yield monitor.

That’s not a reliable tool. That’s a roll of the dice.

Enter Re-Gen: The Bulletproof Biological for Nutrient Recapture

Re-Gen was designed to take the chance out of using biologicals. We re-engineered the biological from the ground up to deliver consistent, reliable performance and ROI across crops, climates, and soil conditions.

Re-Gen is freeze-dried into a shelf-stable powder using a specialized lyophilization protocol. No refrigeration required. No viability loss in transit. 

Because Re-Gen is freeze-dried and activated on site, it delivers 100,000X more active microbes than leading competitors. Guaranteed.

In field trials spanning over 1,100 acres and multiple regions, Re-Gen has consistently delivered:

3.9% milk yield increase (from more nutritious silage)

That’s why we believe Re-Gen isn’t just a better biological. It’s a better agricultural input, period.

Re-Gen isn’t just more reliable because of what it does. It’s reliable because of how it does it.

While other biologicals depend on a complex chain of events—microbial colonization, symbiosis, perfect soil conditions—Re-Gen takes a more direct route: breaking down crop residue to unlock the nutrients already in your field.

That straightforward, mechanical action means fewer points of failure and far more consistent results.

Reliability isn’t just about biology. It’s also about manufacturing.

Each of the microbes in Re-Gen is cultured and tested individually, then blended in precise ratios to ensure consistency from batch to batch. That means the product you use this season will perform just like it did last season.

Farmers don’t have time for products that only work some of the time. You need tools that deliver a return: reliably, repeatably, regardless of what the season throws at them.

That’s a high standard. But it’s one that Re-Gen is ready to meet.

So if you’ve been burned by biologicals in the past—or you’re just tired of hoping something works—give Re-Gen a closer look. 

Want to see what Re-Gen can do in your fields? Let’s talk.

How Re-Gen Solves the Reliability Problem in Biologicals

Every year, farmers apply fertilizer to ensure their crops have the nutrients they need to thrive. And every year, a major source of those same nutrients goes untapped, right under their boots.

We're talking about crop residue and cover crops. These materials are packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—the same nutrients you pay for in synthetic form. But if those nutrients remain locked away in tough plant material, they can’t help your next crop. That's where nutrient recapture comes in.

At IMIO, we believe it’s time to stop thinking about residue management and start thinking about nutrient recapture—an approach that turns plant “waste” into nutrient value.

Crop residues and cover crops aren't trash. They're fertilizer waiting to be released.

Let's take a look at the potential dollar value of common residue types, based on their nutrient content:

These figures combine the estimated market value of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contained in the crop material. In many cases, you're looking at over $200 per acre of fertility value that's already in your field, already paid for in seed, labor, and biomass.

Farmers already know this value exists. The question is whether you can access it.

Why Nutrient Recapture Beats Residue Management

Residue management products focus on making plant residue "go away." But that's not the same as unlocking nutrients. Most of these products rely on low-activity, bacteria-only blends that fall short when it comes to breaking down lignin and cellulose—the tough stuff in stalks and stems that hold the nutrients in.

Re-Gen, IMIO's nutrient recapture product, is built to do something different: free those nutrients and return them to the soil, where your next crop can use them. These differences in product composition matter. Especially when it comes to fungi.

Fungi are nature's best decomposers. They excel at breaking down lignin and cellulose. A 2025 study in Genome Biology put it clearly: “Fungi consistently act as the dominant decomposers... Bacteria predominantly exploit fungal degradation products.”

In short: fungi unlock the value, and bacteria follow behind. If your biological only contains bacteria, you’re missing the main driver of nutrient recapture.

Re-Gen includes fungi (plus bacteria and yeast) and uses a freeze-drying process to preserve microbial activity. This gives Re-Gen a broader spectrum of biology and higher effectiveness in the field.

If you’re spending $100–$200 per acre on synthetic fertilizer—and leaving another $200 per acre of organic fertility untouched—you’re missing a major opportunity.

Nutrient recapture closes that gap. It helps you:

Speed residue breakdown for cleaner seedbeds

Restore microbial balance with a broader biological profile

Farmers who’ve adopted Re-Gen report not only faster decomposition and cleaner fields, but also peace of mind knowing they’re getting more from what they’ve already invested in. Read our case studies to learn more.

Cover crops and residues are full of nutrients your crops need.

Nutrient recapture means recognizing and reclaiming that value. It’s not just good biology. It’s good business.

If you’re ready to stop leaving nutrient value on the table, let’s talk.

Nutrient Recapture: Unlocking the Hidden Value in Your Fields

There’s valuable nutrition tied up in crop residue. The challenge is getting that value back into the soil quickly, without extra passes or extra inputs.

That’s what Re-Gen was built for. By accelerating residue breakdown, it frees up nutrients for the next crop. But solving the nutrient problem isn’t enough on its own. For a product to earn its place in the field, it has to be easy to use and apply. 

Re-Gen was designed to deliver the same great results every time. You don’t need luck, because the mixing and application process is incredibly simple.

To show you what we mean, Cole Anderson — a sixth-generation farmer at Anderson Grain in central Minnesota — walks through how he mixes a 120-acre batch.

Each Re-Gen pouch is labeled with the number of acres it will cover. Instead of heavy drums or totes, you get a freeze-dried product that’s stable until you’re ready to use it.

As Cole explains: “This pouch is 120 acres… You spray it between as a pre- or within a month of planting to help break down residue in your field.”

The pouch ships with a sturdy mixing pail that has a marked fill line, so you know exactly how much water to add.

The freeze-drying process is what makes Re-Gen special. It keeps the microbes shelf-stable in the bag, then brings them back to peak activity during the mixing process.

When you open the pouch, you’ll see a light, fluffy powder. “It is very, very fluffy. It’s like flour… it actually smells like bread,” Cole notes.

Just pour it into the pail of water, and the microbes start reactivating.

Step 3: Stir and let the microbes wake up

Once poured in, Re-Gen floats on top until stirred.

“You’re gonna notice… there’s chunks floating everywhere. And what it’s doing, since all of the stuff is freeze dried, it’s…becoming live again,” Cole explains.

That’s why you give it time: at least four hours before spraying. The wait ensures the biology is fully active and ready to break down residue into nutrients.

Re-Gen applies at four ounces per acre, mixed with 15 gallons of water per acre in Cole’s system.

Cole notes: “Re-Gen is able to in essence freeze. And it will start working again in the spring when everything warms back up again.”

That flexibility makes it easy to work Re-Gen into your operation without extra passes or disruptions.

After activation, the mix is ready to spray. Re-Gen runs through your existing equipment: no need for new tanks, pumps, or sprayers.

As Cole says: “This is not just a central Minnesota thing. It’s not a Midwest thing. This is a product that can go down south on vegetables.”

Now that you’ve seen how it works, it’s time to try Re-Gen for yourself. Talk with us about how it can fit into your acres and start consistently unlocking the nutrient value already on your ground.

How to Mix Re-Gen

Step 1: Start with the pouch

Step 2: Add Re-Gen

Step 3: Stir and let the microbes wake up

Step 4: Timing and application

Step 5: Ready for the field

Try Re-Gen for Yourself

More blog posts

Land Succession, Soil Health, and the Bottom Line

Re-Gen and Conservation Tillage: More Microbes, Less Nitrogen

Common Sense Over Complexity

How Re-Gen Solves the Reliability Problem in Biologicals

Nutrient Recapture: Unlocking the Hidden Value in Your Fields