Bayer to rebalance cost for LibertyLink canola production system

Bayer CropScience is rebalancing the cost for its LibertyLink canola production system next year by cutting the price on the system's eponymous herbicide, as the price for its seed genetics is set to rise.

"The net result of this change is that the system cost is similar to the current LibertyLink hybrid canola system based on the 2011 suggested retail price," the German firm's Canadian arm said in a release Tuesday.

The company said it plans on "increasing the trait value contained in the bag of all LibertyLink canola seed by a similar amount for the 2012 growing season" while lowering the suggested retail price on Liberty, the glufosinate ammonium (Group 10) herbicide that can be used on the system's Liberty-tolerant canolas.

Bayer also said it plans on "further enhancing" its lineup of "L Series" InVigor canola hybrids next year.

"The increased affordability of Liberty as a resistance management tool ultimately allows growers to maximize the full yield potential of their InVigor seed," James Humphris, Calgary-based Bayer's manager for oilseed crops, said in the release.

The company said it would also continue its TraitGuard program, which calls for reimbursement of the trait fee paid on InVigor hybrid canola seed if it's reseeded or taken out of production by June 29, 2012.

"Qualified growers" who reseed to InVigor hybrids are eligible for additional reimbursements, the company said.

"We acknowledge the (LibertyLink) system price adjustment means greater upfront seed costs for growers and because of this, we are increasing the value of TraitGuard to minimize upfront risk for our growers," Humphris said.