Ceradis and Winfield® United form distribution partnership for CeraMax® in the U.S.

Ceradis Crop Protection B.V., a global developer and marketer of environmentally friendly plant nutrition and crop protection solutions, has formed a distribution partnership with WinField^® United for its CeraMax^® bio fungicide seed treatment.

"We are excited about the partnership with WinField United which is an important milestone in commercializing CeraMax in the U.S.,” says Jan Stechmann, Vice President of Marketing and Sales. “This collaboration is a testament to both company’s commitment to the future of biotechnology and a shared goal in delivering effective and environmentally friendly solutions to growers.” 

CeraMax is a new biological seed treatment for the prevention of soilborne fungal diseases including Rhizoctonia and Fusarium virguliforme, the causal agent of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in soybeans. 

Containing the active ingredient Natamycin, CeraMax empowers the genetic potential of crops to increase early-season vigor for a stronger and more uniform emergence at the start-up of the season.

Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as a bio fungicide seed treatment for soybeans, CeraMax recently received the government’s stamp of approval for expanding its label to now include corn and wheat. 

New Era in Plant Health

A next-generation solution for improved plant health, CeraMax provides growers with a new option against destructive diseases like SDS, which in severe cases can cause up to 50 percent yield loss in soybeans if not addressed. 

In multi-year research trials across 10 states, soybeans treated with the addition of CeraMax to Acceleron^® Standard showed significantly lower SDS disease incidence with an average yield increase of 4.3 bushels per acre compared to Acceleron Standard used alone.

In research trials, CeraMax also demonstrated extremely high-performance ratings in plant vigor, outperforming ILEVO^® and Saltro^® with no signs of phytotoxic stress on soybeans. 

“CeraMax delivers outstanding SDS protection without the worry of stress on seedlings, and without growers sacrificing early-season plant health,” adds Stechmann.  

Progressive Partnering

WinField United, which has an established track record for bringing innovations to growers, plans to market and sell CeraMax in 2021 in soybean-producing areas most impacted by SDS in years past.

“We are continuously searching for novel technologies that maximize grower return on investment,” says Ashley Giese, Marketing Manager of Seed Treatment with WinField United. “Our objective is to provide growers with seed treatment offerings that are driven by innovation, performance, and value. We believe CeraMax helps us deliver on that strategy.”

Giese also says, the agreement with Ceradis not only strengthens her company’s mission in delivering next-generation products to customers but enhances the company’s rapidly growing seed treatment portfolio. 

Natural Complement to Chemistry

Stechmann says the newly-formed partnership between the organizations represents an important validation in regards to the growing demand for biological inputs in the U.S.

“Growers are realizing how biological products complement the plant’s genetics and traits, as well as conventional chemistry,” he says. “By leveraging biologicals and conventional chemistry, we are helping growers become more productive, profitable, and sustainable.”

He adds by saying that growers are eager for new solutions that address the ever-changing landscape of crop production. “Ceradis is fully committed to delivering on that with high-performing, environmentally friendly products that help crops reach their full genetic potential, maximize grower ROI, and increase yield.”  

For the 2021 season, CeraMax is available through WinField United retailer network and Direct Enterprises, Inc., in Westfield Ind. To learn more about CeraMax visit www.ceradis.com.

About Ceradis B.V.

Ceradis B.V. develops and commercializes innovative, environmentally friendly crop protection products and formulations. A spin-off from Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), Ceradis has developed and patented (biological) formulation technologies that boost the efficacy of existing chemical Active Ingredients, resulting in a reduced rate of chemicals used per acre of farmland and lower residues on the crop, making them more environmentally friendly. Ceradis also develops and patents bio fungicides based on natural products, showing comparable efficacy as chemicals and excellent handling characteristics for the farmer. Ceradis aims at facilitating the transition to more environmentally friendly agriculture. Ceradis has four product development platforms and its first products are already being sold in many countries, in partnership with some of the world’s leading crop protection companies. For more information, visit us at www.ceradis.com and follow Ceradis on LinkedIn.

About WinField United

WinField United is the seed, crop protection products, agricultural services and agronomic insights business of Land O’Lakes, Inc. As an industry leader, the business focuses on meeting the needs of nearly 1,300 locally owned and operated cooperative and independent agricultural retailers and their grower-customers across the United States and Canada. Through data-backed, insight-driven agronomics; operational excellence; and sustainable solutions delivered under the WinField^® United brand, the business helps retailers successfully meet farmers’ needs. 

Always read and follow label directions. Acceleron^® is a registered trademark of Bayer Group. ILEVO^® is a registered trademark of BASF. Saltro^® is a registered trademark of Syngenta Group. CeraMax^® is a registered trademark of Ceradis B.V. ©2021 Ceradis B.V.