Bayer CropScience Showcases Biologicals on PBS Program

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Bayer CropScience’s commitment to biological research and development, will be featured on America’s Heartland on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 1:30 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 9 at 8:30 p.m. This segment of the national public television show will showcase the company’s leadership in biological crop protection as part of integrated crop solutions for growers, with a focus on work that scientists are performing at Bayer CropScience’s Davis, Calif., facility, a hub for the production and global marketing of biologicals.

During the segment, viewers will learn how Bayer CropScience helps growers produce crops with modern agchemicals and products based on naturally occurring microorganisms such as plants, bacteria or fungi. A valuable tool in sustainable agriculture, biologicals deliver unique benefits, meet the emerging needs of growers and play an integral role in improving the food chain, including flexible pre-harvest and re-entry intervals. In combination with chemicals, these products not only offer highly effective solutions against fungi, pests such as the spider mite and nematodes, thereby complementing chemical active ingredients. As part of integrated spray plans, they also have a positive effect on yield and quality, and often strengthen vitality and stress tolerance of different crops.

"By 2050, the world’s population will increase to more than 9 billion, and it is imperative that we help farmers find a way to support this explosive growth and help to alleviate hunger and poverty in the world," said Jim Blome, president and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP.

"We are proud to partner with America’s Heartland to showcase the importance of developing biologicals that can accomplish this task, as well as the efforts that Bayer CropScience and our Davis facility put into ensuring that products are brought to market that can revolutionize farming and the way we grow safe, healthy and plentiful crops."

The America’s Heartland’s segment on Bayer CropScience also features Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino, Calif., to showcase how wine grapes benefit from biologicals. Biologicals give viticulturists and all types of growers new ways to manage crop cycles using more methods inspired by nature. This growing agricultural revolution helps produce high yielding, quality crops to provide adequate protein and other vital nutrients to people at risk of malnutrition.

"The Bayer CropScience research featured on America’s Heartland is critical to solving some of the world’s most pressing agricultural issues," said Blome.

"Our development of solutions combining high-quality seeds, chemicals and biological, as well as services, affects not only farms in California, but across the nation and around the world. We are excited to see a new wave of innovation come from our incredibly talented scientists, and we hope to continue to create products to support growers in their efforts as we work together to enhance food security."