Bayer CropScience provides updates from its Northern field tech station

During a media event held at the company's Northern Field Technology Station near Fargo, N.D., Bayer CropScience provided updates on its numerous initiatives and research collaborations committed to the sustainability of the wheat industry.

The farm facility in Sabin, Minn., provided an example of the company's commitment to innovation, as well, when tour participants had a first look at plot trials with a new cereal herbicide currently in testing stages.

"Bayer CropScience has a long-standing commitment to the cereals industry," said Peter Peerbolte, cereals crop manager with Bayer CropScience. "We recognize that farmers need better options in varieties, disease resistance and production practices to make wheat a sustainable crop of the future. From global research alliances to national wheat breeding programs and product development, Bayer CropScience is making the investments that the cereal industry needs for today and tomorrow."

Bayer CropScience and its collaborators provided updates on the following programs:

Wheat breeding collaborations:

Bayer CropScience has made several long-term investments in cereal production to further expand its presence in the market. The company has entered into collaborations with CSIRO in Australia, Evogene in Israel, the University of Nebraska and, most recently, RAGT Semences in France. In 2010, Bayer CropScience took over the wheat breeding programs from Ukranian Breeding Companies (SORT and EUROSORT). Sharing expertise to build a value-added trait portfolio with a focus on agronomy, the multiple breeding programs build a broad germplasm base with local variety development. The first new wheat varieties from the company's breeding program are expected to be available within the next five years.

Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action

Since the 2009 launch of the joint initiative between Bayer CropScience and Ducks Unlimited, Winter Cereals: Sustainability in Action (WCSIA) has hired three agronomists who can provide technical assistance on winter wheat production and incorporating the crop into a farmer's system; signed on North Dakota State Univeristy, South Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota as public-sector research collaborators; and, most recently, signed on Winfield Solutions as a private-sector research collaborator. This summer, Winfield Solutions is including WCSIA field trials in its Answer Plot tours throughout North Dakota and South Dakota.

Bayer CropScience Innovation

A new cereals herbicide from Bayer CropScience is slated to launch in the U.S. in 2013, pending EPA approval. Currently named TCM 4-Way, the new herbicide combines three different, proven modes of action for control of grass and broadleaf weeds in spring and durum wheat. By stacking modes of action, Bayer works to help delay the development of resistant weeds. With a first look at TCM 4-Way in Sabin this year, the wheat industry can expect to see field-scale grower cooperator trials in 2012.