US: Bayer focuses on farmers and drives innovation into 2022

Harvest is a time for North American farmers to reflect on the past season’s successes and challenges, while looking ahead to what’s next. Bayer – with No. 1 market positions in corn, soybean and cotton acres in the U.S. – is also excited about the future and the next round of cutting-edge technologies for growers in 2022 and beyond.

Among Bayer’s milestones during the 2021 season:

• XtendFlex^® Soybeans Launch: As Bayer’s second major soybean trait launch in the last five years, XtendFlex soybeans were grown on 15 million acres in 2021. The Roundup Ready^® Xtend Crop System provides soybean growers with more choices and flexibility than ever before.

• SmartStax^® PRO with RNAi Technology¹: The approval of the industry’s first RNAi technology this year paves the way for excellent corn rootworm control through a new mode of action (MoA) for growers in 2022.

• ThryvOn™ Technology²: ThryvOn Technology offers the industry’s first cotton biotechnology trait that will provide protection through built in trait technology to the whole plant against tarnished plant bugs and thrips species.³

• Roundup PowerMAX^® 3 Herbicide: Roundup PowerMAX 3 herbicide contains a unique surfactant blend with a higher concentration of glyphosate per gallon, allowing farmers to spray more acres per gallon, and retailers to optimize storage capabilities.

• Prosaro^® PRO 400 SC Fungicide: New multi-MoA cereal fungicide providing excellent control of Fusarium head scab and leaf diseases.

• TriVolt™ Herbicide: A corn residual herbicide combination, pending EPA approval, that will provide farmers three different active ingredients that will provide residual control of key corn grass and broadleaf weeds.

• BUTEO™ Start Insecticide: With a successful launch in Canada this past year, BUTEO Start insecticide offers powerful protection for canola growers against flea beetle pressure.

• Velum^® One Insecticide and Minuet™ Fungicide: Bringing continued innovation to fruit and vegetable growers with the launch of a brand extension for Velum and launch of new biological fungicide, Minuet.

• Digital Solutions: As digital technology continues to open doors for farmers from an efficiency and management standpoint, as well as opportunities to generate additional revenue, the Climate FieldView™ platform continued its growth, reaching more than 180 million acres subscribed worldwide.

“Earning our farmer-customers’ business every season means bringing them innovative products and additional tools in their toolbox,” said Jackie Applegate, President, North America Crop Science for Bayer. “Challenges like evolving pests and a changing climate, farmers need a steady supply of innovation, and Bayer is focused on delivering.”

Bayer’s plans for continued innovation focus on risk-mitigation strategies for farmers. Short Stature Corn,⁴ planned for early-to-mid decade in the U.S., will provide a way for farmers to manage against adverse weather while also adding a level of precision that assists in more calculated placement of nutrients mid-season. In addition, later this decade Bayer’s soybean portfolio plans to add the industry’s first 5- and 6-herbicide tolerant stacks, while expanding integrated weed management options. Advancing in Bayer’s crop protection pipeline to Phase 3 this year, is a product that would be the industry’s first new post-emergent broad-acre weed control option in 30 years.

“Now is a great time to help shape the future of agriculture,” said Applegate. “Clearly, our challenges as a planet are many. But the good news is that Bayer is in an outstanding position to keep meeting these dynamic needs today and tomorrow, building a future of health for all and hunger for none.”

¹ SmartStax^® PRO corn products will be commercially available for the 2022 growing season.

² ThryvOn™ Technology has received full approval for planting in the United States but, as of the date this material was published, is pending approval in certain export markets. Specific plans for commercialization depend upon regulatory approvals and other factors.

³ ThryvOn™ Technology may help reduce insecticide applications for tarnished plant bugs and thrips species (tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca); Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis); tarnished plant bug (Lygus lineolaris); and the Western Tarnished Plant bug (Lygus Hesperus)). Scouting is critical to determine which and how many insecticide applications are recommended to avoid economic losses greater than the pest management costs (i.e., when economic thresholds are met).

⁴ This product is not currently available for commercial sale or commercial planting. Commercialization is dependent on multiple factors, including successful conclusion of the regulatory process. The information presented herein is provided for educational purposes only, and is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell.