CultivAce’s Field-Proven Starter Fertilizer for Potatoes Is Turning Heads in North Dakota
It’s August 25th, and my phone starts buzzing with an incoming call. I answer and hear a familiar voice on the line.
“Now, you need to remain calm,” warns Chuck Peppel, CultivAce’s Business Development Manager based in Minnesota. Chuck often says that when something exciting is happening and he knows I never listen.
He’s calling from the North Dakota State University Potato Field Day, where CultivAce’s latest starter fertilizer for potatoes is drawing a crowd. And when a man with 50+ years of ag experience and a lifetime spent in potato fields gets excited, it’s worth paying attention.
Chuck was right to be thrilled. Early field digs from the NDSU plots were already showing remarkable differences. The CultivAce PFM-powered starter fertilizer for potatoes was helping plants establish faster and stronger, setting the stage for higher yields with less applied fertilizer. Growers walking the plots could see the difference with their own eyes.
Why Early Nutrition Matters When Choosing a Starter Fertilizer for Potatoes
Dakota Gold Potatoes - Left - 20 gal of 10-34-0 | Right - 6 gal of PFM - 8-24-0
In potato farming, timing is everything especially when it comes to nutrient availability. The first few weeks after planting determine root establishment, uniform emergence, and ultimately, the number of tubers per plant. That’s why the right starter fertilizer for potatoes isn’t just a nutrient source, it’s a growth strategy.
Traditionally, many growers rely on 10-34-0 or similar phosphate fertilizers for in-furrow or 2x2 applications. But those products often tie up in the soil before the plant can use them. That’s where CultivAce is changing the game.
Phosphorus availability in cool or compacted soils often limits early potato growth. When roots can’t access enough P in the first 30 days, stolon initiation and tuber set can both suffer, costing yield long before vines ever close. Applying a starter fertilizer for potatoes directly in the root zone gives young plants immediate access to nutrients where they can be absorbed. By improving early phosphorus uptake, growers see stronger root systems, more uniform stands, and better canopy development across the field.
Powered by PFM: A Smarter Way to Feed Potatoes
This NDSU trial isn’t CultivAce’s first experience with potato fertility, but it does mark the first collaboration with the university’s respected potato program. The randomized block trial compared 20 gallons per acre of 10-34-0 (the grower standard) to just 6 gallons of CultivAce’s 8-24-0 starter fertilizer for potatoes, powered by PFM. This results in only one-third the total applied fertilizer.
On paper, that might look like a disadvantage. But this isn’t a typical starter. PFM (Phosphate Fertilizer Management) is CultivAce’s proprietary additive: a blend of organic and microbial food sources, organic acids, and stabilizing compounds designed to help keep fertilizer nutrients more plant-available. It essentially powers up standard fertilizers, making more phosphorus accessible right when the crop needs it most.
By improving phosphorus mobility in the soil and maintaining it in a plant-available form, PFM helps potatoes get off to a faster, stronger start, even at significantly reduced application rates. That efficiency is exactly what modern growers are demanding.
In addition to improved nutrient efficiency, growers have reported smoother in-furrow application with fewer plugging issues and reduced salt injury risk on seed pieces. Because PFM supports beneficial soil microbial activity, it also encourages longer nutrient availability throughout the early growing season. That means plants don’t just start stronger they stay fed through tuber bulking and maturation, leading to higher quality at harvest.
“When you can reduce total fertilizer use and still improve early growth, you’re not just cutting costs, you're building a more sustainable potato program,” Chuck explained from the field.
Consistent Results Across Multiple Trials
While the NDSU project is the first university-backed test, CultivAce has been validating these results for years. In 2019, Cultivace contracted a third party researcher to pit our 8-24-0, powered by PFM, against other popular potato starter fertilizers. Cultivace’s 8-24-0 was applied at a rate of 3 gallons per acre, while two other products, a 7-21-1.2Zn and a 6-20-0.77Zn, were applied at 5 gallons per acre.
Ten-foot row digs were performed, grading was conducted, and total yield, marketable yield, financial returns, and fresh pack contract returns per acre were tallied. Cultivace’s 8-24-0 starter fertilizer for potatoes, powered by PFM, came out on top in every category. In total yield, Cultivace returned 471 cwt per acre, compared to 414 and 412 cwt for the competing products. The check yielded just 391 cwt per acre. Cultivace’s performance represented a 20% increase in total yield over the check and 13.7% more than the next best treatment.
In marketable yield, Cultivace returned 345 cwt per acre, 31.6% higher than the 7-21-1 and 10.5% higher than the 6-20-0. Not only did Cultivace dominate in yield, but it also delivered higher financial returns, which ultimately matters most to growers. Cultivace’s data continues to show that using a starter fertilizer for potatoes designed for efficiency and nutrient availability can significantly boost profitability.
Built for Growers and Ag Retailers Alike
CultivAce developed its PFM-powered 8-24-0 not just for growers, but for ag retailers who need a dependable, research-backed product that delivers visible results in the field. PFM is offered to ag retailers or formulators looking to blend their own high efficiency products.
Growers across Oregon, Idaho, and Washington have already experienced consistent results with the CultivAce starter fertilizer for potatoes, and the addition of NDSU’s research brings even greater credibility. Whether you’re managing 200 acres or supplying hundreds of customers, the data shows this product performs under real-world conditions.
Retailers have also noted how seamlessly CultivAce integrates into existing tank mixes and bulk systems. It pairs easily with liquid nitrogen or liquid phosphate blends, minimizing compatibility issues while improving handling efficiency. With tighter margins and fewer staff in ag retail, having a versatile, low-salt starter that simplifies inventory management is a major win, both operationally and economically.
The Future of Potato Fertility Efficiency
With more universities, growers, and co-ops taking note, CultivAce’s starter fertilizer for potatoes is poised to redefine how early-season nutrition is managed. It’s proof that sustainability and profitability can coexist and that better nutrient efficiency doesn’t have to come at the expense of yield.
As we await the official NDSU harvest data, one thing is already clear: PFM is delivering on its promise. From North Dakota to the Pacific Northwest, growers are seeing firsthand how CultivAce’s technology is reshaping phosphate management in potatoes.
CultivAce continues to expand its potato program through partnerships with independent researchers and agronomy teams across the U.S. Every new data set adds confidence for crop advisors looking to optimize phosphorus efficiency. The company’s approach isn’t about replacing traditional P fertilizers, it’s about helping growers use them more effectively. By combining proven nutrient chemistry with PFM’s biological activation, CultivAce is setting a new standard for starter fertilizer for potatoes in commercial agriculture.
Ready to Learn More?
Visit PFM Phosphate Fertilizer Management to see how PFM works, or explore the Free Phos 8-24-0 product page for specifications and rates.
For additional grower data, check out our Field Trials section or contact our agronomy team to discuss regional programs.