Bayer CropScience prioritizes innovation with Luna fungicide

On its 150th anniversary, Bayer CropScience has reinforced their emphasis on innovation with their new Luna fungicide (fluopyram). The product was released last year, but 2013 marks the first full year it's available.

“We're putting over a billion dollars a year into research,” said Rob Schrick, strategic management lead for horticulture at Bayer CropScience. “So we're taking a good portion of profit and putting back into innovation.” But with Luna, the fungicide unveiled last year, Schrick also highlighted the kinds of investments being made in the horticultural sector. The fungicide, which is currently registered for seven crops but which has potential applications for many more, was designed specifically with the horticulture industry in mind.

“We're looking for innovations for fruit and vegetable growers,” said Schrick. “Those growers very much appreciate new technology, and when you can bring innovation, they can capitalize on it to bring better products to consumers.” The benefits of Luna include a longer shelf life and a cleaner crop during the growing phase of production.

“Bayer CropScience is serious about helping the industry,” said Schrick. “When you think about the growing population, and about how many people we'll have to feed for the next generation, we're all about finding ways to improve, and that comes back to discovery and innovation.”