BASF offers new opportunities to help growers manage risk, increase efficiency and maximize yield

BASF Crop Protection announced several 2012 offers and partnerships to help growers get the most out of every acre. Together, these offers provide growers opportunities to manage risk, increase efficiency and maximize yield.

These initiatives include offering partial purchase price rebates in the event of certain commodity price fluctuations — Investment Advantage; a newly expanded Headline Advantage offer; an interest-free financing tool — Finance Advantage; and a partnership to help growers save on crop insurance premiums — Insurance Advantage.

"BASF is committed to providing innovative crop protection solutions to growers to help increase yield, and in turn, profitability,” said Paul Rea, Vice President of U.S. Crop Protection for BASF. “BASF will provide unmatched opportunities in 2012 for growers to improve yield, mitigate risk and manage costs.”

Stepping up to the challenge

In a recent study conducted by BASF*, it was found that the volatility of today’s commodity markets has caused growers to be more focused than ever on managing risk. The study showed 85 percent of growers said it would be difficult or somewhat difficult to manage risk associated with commodity price volatility expected in the 2012 growing season. On the other hand, 86 percent of growers surveyed said they would be more willing to invest in their crops to push yields when commodity prices are high.

The BASF research shows the top concerns for growers over the next three years are managing risk associated with commodity price volatility, increasing profitability and managing input costs. The same study indicates that most growers are willing to invest in pushing yield so long as there’s a reasonable chance that the reward outweighs the risk.

"The latest BASF grower offers were developed specifically to help growers tackle some of the most demanding challenges they’ll face in 2012,” Rea said. “We look forward to partnering with growers to help them minimize risk, increase efficiency and maximize yield, with the ultimate goal of getting the most out of every acre and maintaining profitability for years to come.”

Investment Advantage

BASF Investment Advantage is a unique offer in the agriculture industry. Growers who purchase at least 300 acres worth of three products within a BASF High Yield Package by March 15, 2012, may receive a partial rebate of their qualifying High Yield purchases if the BASF Harvest Price for the corresponding commodity ends below the BASF Established Starting Price1.

"When commodity markets are high, there’s an opportunity for growers to achieve unprecedented profit,” Rea said, “but today’s markets are also unpredictable. Investment Advantage may help growers manage risk and give them an opportunity to increase yield with BASF crop protection solutions.”

Headline Advantage

The Headline Advantage offer from BASF has expanded to include more BASF fungicides for the 2012 season. Growers who purchase two BASF products by March 15, 2012, may qualify to save up to 20 percent on certain purchases of Headline® fungicide, Headline AMP™ fungicide and TwinLine® fungicide2.

Finance Advantage

BASF is again partnering with John Deere Financial to bring growers Finance Advantage. With this offer, growers who choose to finance the qualifying purchase of two or more BASF products by March 15, 2012 will receive no payments and no interest until December 20123. Growers can increase their bottom line by saving money with interest-free financing.

"Our recent study found that more than half of growers surveyed said they would like crop protection companies to help them secure affordable financing options for their herbicide, fungicide, insecticide and seed treatment options,” Rea said. “The BASF Finance Advantage has been well-received by growers and we’re happy to continue our partnership with John Deere Financial to provide it.”

Insurance Advantage

Two states have been added to Insurance Advantage for 2012. Corn growers can take advantage of this BASF offer through a partnership with Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS). Qualifying growers who protect their corn acres with a Crop Hail Policy and Green Snap Lodging4 wind protection endorsement through RCIS can qualify for free Extra Harvest Expense coverage by using Headline or Headline AMP fungicide. Growers in 10 Midwestern states5 are eligible for this offer, including: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and, new for 2012—Michigan and Kentucky.