Expanding on the idea we presented in my last article, the impact of using Strike as a pre-plant soil fumigant is clear: stronger plants, better yields, fewer resources. However, better production sustainability isn’t just about yields and inputs, it’s also about carbon.
As someone who works closely with potato growers, I see the incredible effort it takes to meet the ever-growing demands on farming. Processors and buyers are setting ambitious goals for carbon footprint reduction, water efficiency and regenerative agriculture. Though good in theory, these expectations can feel overwhelming when you’re already working hard just to balance the realities of farming.
That’s why I’m committed to finding real, practical solutions to help growers meet today’s environmental, social and production challenges. The good news is, with the right tools and strategies, we can do this—and we can do it without compromising productivity.
Processors want to see meaningful progress: less land used, lower CO₂ emissions, smarter water use. These goals are driving the push for regenerative agriculture, which focuses on restoring natural systems while maintaining high-quality production. For growers, that often means needing to grow more with less—less land, fewer inputs and fewer emissions.
One tool that’s helping make this possible is Strike. Driven by the active ingredient chloropicrin, Strike is a soil fumigant — but not the kind you might have used before. Strike works selectively, targeting harmful pathogens like common scab and black dot while actively supporting beneficial soil microorganisms. The result? Healthier plants, better yields and fewer resources used overall.
Let’s say it takes about 17,000 acres of potato production to supply a single processing plant.
Here’s the kind of impact Strike can achieve. With the productivity gains possible, it would take just 13,000 acres to supply a single plant. That’s 4,000 fewer acres of land, which means less water, less fuel and fewer inputs overall. Plus, healthier fields pull more carbon dioxide out of the air, helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Just from the diesel savings alone, 4.5 million pounds of CO₂ would be kept from entering the atmosphere. That is equivalent to greenhouse gas emissions from the energy used by 270 homes in a year.
Meeting sustainability targets isn’t just about ticking boxes for corporate goals. It’s about securing the future of farming. Strike provides a way for growers to balance economic returns with environmental stewardship. It enables farms to thrive while making tangible progress toward carbon reduction and regenerative agriculture.
I know it’s not easy to meet today’s corporate sustainability demands, but it doesn’t have to mean sacrificing what matters most: your productivity and profitability. With thoughtful changes and the right tools, growers can lead the way toward a more sustainable future, one acre at a time. Let’s tackle this challenge together.
