Biomentum, Soil Biology & Farm Profitability: Howard Vlieger on Regenerative Results

Can improving soil biology reduce synthetic inputs while maintaining yields—and improve farm profitability at the same time?

In this episode of Soil Sisters, we sit down with Howard Vlieger at the Southern Family Farmers and Food Systems Conference to explore what happens when farmers work with biology instead of relying solely on conventional inputs. Howard is a regenerative farmer, researcher, and crop and livestock nutrition adviser who identifies as a student of the soil.

Howard shares field experiences with Biomentum, a biological product he is helping expand with longtime mentor, Verlyn Sneller. Howard recounts results ranging from reduced nitrogen use in corn to managing rootworm without insecticide by rebuilding soil biology. Beyond row crops, Howard discusses early observations from vineyards, pasture and cattle nutrition, manure and lagoon management, septic and pond applications, odor and fly reduction, and efforts to address glyphosate residues.

We explore water infiltration and flooding, why soil testing matters, and how tools such as the Haney Test and soil genomics can help farmers develop practical management plans based on their specific fields. Listen to the full discussion to hear Howard's examples, application strategies, and approach to connecting soil health with practical farm economics.

Meet Our Guest:

Howard Vlieger is a regenerative farmer, researcher, and crop and livestock nutrition adviser who identifies as a student of the soil. Howard has dedicated decades of his life to research and experimentation on the effects of GMO crops and glyphosate on livestock and ecosystem health. He and his family steward Vlieger Family Farm near Maurice, IA. They raise and sell natural meat (beef, pork, lamb, poultry, eggs and milk). Howard is also instrumental in educating lawmakers and the agricultural community on soil health and gut health through his efforts with scientists and doctors such as Dr. Michelle Perro, Dr. Don Huber, Dr. John Fagan, and has worked with RFK, Jr. and the MAHA movement. Howard is so serious about clean food that he travels with a mini fridge in his truck stocked with protein from his farm and snacks he trusts… and shares with the Soil Sisters.

Learn More About Biomentum and ABC Soil Healthy by Terra Transitional Solutions

Time Stamps:

00:00 Welcome to Soil Sisters

00:17 Meet Howard Vlieger

01:35 The Biomentum Origin Story

04:41 Iowa Policy Momentum

07:53 Cut Inputs, Keep Yield

09:52 Field Success Stories

12:35 Vineyard Trial Results

14:22 From Soil Health to Gut Health

18:10 Manure, Septic & Water Applications

25:38 Flooding & Infiltration Math

28:50 Lawn Care & Soil Lessons

30:55 Biomentum Application Plan

38:06 Seed Treatment: How-To

40:05 In-Furrow Biology Application Options

41:40 Seed Treatment Trials

42:27 Cover Crop Reality Check

45:06 Soil Testing & Genomics: Creating a Plan

49:01 Building a Soil Health Recipe

54:08 Scaling Biomentum Validation

59:22 What Carbon Really Means

01:02:26 ROI & Input Savings

01:05:39 Hogs & Show Wrap

💚 MEET & SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 💚

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