Free Phos 24: Liquid Phosphate Fertilizer That Outperforms in California Trials
From Gray Skies to Golden Results
Gray Skies, constant rain, and the Portland Trail Blazers out of the playoff picture are all trademarks of spring in Oregon. Indeed, Our founder and President Wayne Sledge said it best: “It doesn’t rain a lot in Oregon. It just rains all the time”. And while we are stuck inside patiently waiting for the Oregon 2025 agricultural cycle to kick off. And unlike Oregon's constant drizzle, the Golden State is delivering golden results—especially for growers using Free Phos 24, CultivAce’s enhanced-efficiency liquid phosphate fertilizer.
I can’t help but turn an envious eye to California, where spraying and planting are already underway. All too often, it seems our blog is Midwest-centric, but it is important to note that CultivAce is a company whose West Coast roots run deep.
California is the epicenter for West Coast agriculture, with over 400 commodity crops grown in the state. Resource
As our Southwestern business development Doug Elliott attests, California is a large territory with tremendous crop variety. CultivAce is no stranger to the California market. We have done extensive trial work throughout the state with our acetate foliar fertilizer and liquid phosphate fertilizer Free Phos 24. This blog will highlight two trials, in particular, centering around our liquid phosphate fertilizer, Free Phos 24, all while demonstrating that;
1. I can write a blog that doesn’t take place in the Midwest. And,
2. Our liquid phosphate fertilizer, Free Phos 24, works across a variety of crops and geographies.
Why California Growers Need an Efficient Liquid Phosphate Fertilizer
California agriculture is unlike any other in the U.S.—high-value crops, water limitations, labor shortages, and an urgent need for fertilizer efficiency. Traditional high-volume phosphate programs don't always make sense, and many growers are seeking low-rate, high-efficiency alternatives that work with their soil biology and for their margins.
That’s where Free Phos 24 comes in.
Formulated with fulvic acid, biological food sources, and proprietary compounds
Lower use rates than standard 10-34-0 or 9-24-3 fertilizers
Compatible with both conventional and organic-minded systems
Tried and tested across multiple California crops
California Ag Pressure Points
Growers in California are operating under some of the most complex agronomic conditions in the country. Water is limited, regulation is heavy, and pressure to reduce input loads is mounting. With strict phosphorus runoff laws and environmental sustainability goals tightening every season, applying 30 gallons of phosphate just isn’t viable for everyone.
Free Phos 24 fits into this tighter margin environment—delivering real results at lower volumes, reducing the burden on equipment, fuel, and labor.
Happy Cows Come from California, and Happy Growers use Cultivace Free Phos 24
While I cannot confirm the validity of the statement “Happy Cows come from California,” I can say with confidence that silage growers in California who use our liquid phosphate fertilizer are undoubtedly happy. Although I promised to stop talking about the Midwest for this blog, I never said anything about corn.
In 2023, we conducted a silage trial head-to-head versus a popular liquid phosphate fertilizer from a large company headquartered in Michigan. Free Phos was applied at three gallons per acre, while the competing liquid phosphate fertilizer was applied at 5 gallons per acre. Below is the trial write-up and results.
Liquid Phosphate Fertilizer Silage Corn Trial – Newman, CA (2023)
This 20-acre field was planted on May 20th, with the entire area receiving 60 gallons of UN32 side-dressed. To compare performance, 10 acres were treated with 5 gallons per acre of 9-24-3, while the other 10 acres received just 3 gallons per acre of Free Phos 24. The crop was harvested on September 15th, and every load was weighed to ensure accurate results. The grower reported yields of 28.97 tons per acre on the 9-24-3 acres, compared to 31.3 tons per acre on the Free Phos 24 side.
At a silage price of $55 per ton, that’s a gross return of $1,593.95 per acre for the 9-24-3 treatment and $1,721.50 per acre for Free Phos 24. Despite using less product, Free Phos 24 delivered more yield—and more margin.
The 9-24-3 treatment cost $10.95 per gallon, totaling $54.75 per acre, while Free Phos 24 was priced at $16.00 per gallon, or just $48.00 per acre. Across the 10-acre plots, gross profit before treatment cost was $15,939.50 for 9-24-3 and $17,215.00 for Free Phos 24. After factoring in the treatment costs, net profit came out to $15,392.00 and $16,735.00, respectively.
In total, Free Phos 24 outperformed the standard 9-24-3 program by $1,343 over 10 acres—using 40% less product and delivering a higher yield.
Trial Details:
Field size: 20 acres
Planting Date: May 20, 2023
Base Fertility: 60 gallons UN32 sidedressed across entire field
Key Findings:
Higher Yield: 31.3 tons/acre with Free Phos 24 (+8% over the 9-24-3)
Lower Application Rate: 3 gal/acre Free Phos 24 vs. 5 gal/acre 9-24-3
Increased Net Profit: $1,673.50 per acre (+$1,343 over 10 acres)
More Efficient Phosphorus Use: Lower input, higher return
The Bottom line. The grower was able to drastically increase profit while using less product.
Doing more with much, much less
As I mentioned earlier, over 400 commodity crops are grown in California. Tomatoes number among those crops and account for over 200,000 of California's crop acres. (Resource)
Liquid Phosphate Fertilizer Tomato Trial – Newman, CA (2024)
In May 2024, through a partner organization, we conducted a liquid phosphate trial using Free Phos 8-24-0 at 3 gallons/acre, going head to head with 30 gallons of 10-34-0 liquid phosphate fertilizer, the grower standard for tomato production.
Post-Planting Treatments:After fruit set, the 20 acres treated with Free Phos 24, liquid phosphate fertilizer, received 4 treatments of CultivAce K-Ace, 0-0-23, our Potassium Acetate at a 4x1 quart per acre application rate, alongside Pesticide and Fungicide applications.
Trial Setup:
Field size: 40 acres, split 20/20
Crop: Processing tomatoes
Planting date: May 25, 2024
Harvest and Results: The trial was harvested on October 28th, 2024, by the Processor. The Processor reported that the 20 acres receiving the Grower Standard yielded an average of 58.7 tons per acre. The 20 acres that received the CultivAce Free Phos 24 and CultivAce K-Ace treatments yielded an average of 60.37 tons per acre, a 1.67 ton per acre increase.
The CultivAce treatment used just 1/10th the fertilizer volume and still produced 1.67 tons more per acre, generating a $209/acre boost in revenue, while cutting application labor, fuel, and handling costs.
What Makes Free Phos 24 Different?
Many phosphate fertilizers rely on brute-force application. But Free Phos 24 is smarter, not heavier.
Traditional phosphates often tie up in the soil, especially when applied in large volumes. Free Phos 24’s formulation includes carbon sources and biological activators that keep phosphorus mobile and plant-available. The inclusion of fulvic acid enhances root uptake, while proprietary surfactants improve translocation through the plant.
It’s more than a nutrient—it’s a system that supports phosphorus availability during the most critical stages of plant development.
Free Phos 24 Is:
Liquid phosphate fertilizer with a built-in enhanced efficiency system
Designed with biological activators that improve nutrient uptake
Enriched with fulvic acid, proprietary surfactants, and carbon sources
Optimized for low-rate, high-response applications
This isn't just about applying phosphorus—it's about maximizing availability and uptake during critical growth stages.
Do More with Less: The ROI of Free Phos 24
Across both trials, Free Phos 24 consistently delivered:
Higher yields
Lower cost per acre
Reduced handling, hauling, and application labor
Greater ROI with fewer gallons
Side-by-Side Trial Liquid Phosphate Fertilizer ROI Comparison:
Traditional programs often use 10–30 gallons per acre. We’re seeing better results with just 3.
Available Now in California
If you are looking for a distribution location in your area, you can check our map here, or give us a call. We’re excited to announce, CultivAce Free Phos 24 and Acetate Fertilizers are now available at these California retail partners:
Mid Valley Agricultural Services
Buttonwillow Warehouse Company
Grow West Locations
Need support? Our California Business Development Rep, Doug Elliott, is available to discuss custom programs, application strategies, and product availability near you.
Final Word
If you're still hauling 10-34-0 by the tote-load, it's time to rethink your program. Whether you're growing silage corn or tomatoes—or anything in between—Free Phos 24 delivers more yield, more profit, and more flexibility in an input-constrained world.
Don't just apply more. Apply smarter.
Learn More or Contact Us:
Explore Free Phos 24