Global innovation leader Bayer has launched three new crop protection products designed to increase yields and put more money in farmers’ pockets.

The new products – two fungicides and one herbicide – are part of a EUR 2.4 billion (NZ$3.9 billion) global innovation investment by Bayer into safeguarding vital crops and increasing crop yields.

Bayer New Zealand managing director Holger Detje, who heads the company’s local agricultural sub group, Bayer CropScience, says the new products are part of a strong innovation pipeline.

“Bayer CropScience globally files 40% of all new agricultural chemistry patents around the world each year. As a result we have a tremendously strong pipeline of new products that we look forward to rolling out in New Zealand in coming years.

“We believe the three products we are launching today will not only effectively combat disease and weeds, but also lead to increased yields and ultimately more money in farmers’ pockets.”

Two of the new products, Aviator® Xpro and Prosaro®, are dual combination fungicides for controlling the main foliar disease in wheat – Septoria tritici – as well as other diseases.

The third product, Betanal® quattro, is a four-in-one combination herbicide for controlling weeds in beet crops, including fodder beet, which is becoming an important energy-rich food source for cattle and dairy cows over winter.

“These products have all been extensively trialled in New Zealand over the last three of four years and produced fantastic results,” says Detje.

“For example, in the case of Aviator Xpro, we increased wheat yields by almost half-a-tonne per hectare. That equates to an extra $130 per hectare for the farmer after costs are taken into account.”

Detje says interest in the three new products is already high and he expects a busy spring season for his CropScience team.

The three new products and their benefits are as follows.
Aviator Xpro
A dual combination fungicide that combines the high-performing Prothioconazole fungicide with a powerful new fungicide called Bixafen. Ideal for reducing resistance, it is effective against Septoria tritici in wheat and Scald and Ramularia in barley. It also has excellent control of stripe rust, leaf rust and net blotch. Another innovative feature of Aviator Xpro is its Leafshield™ technology, a patented formulation designed to ensure the product strongly adheres to the leaf and spreads and dries quickly.

Betanal quattro
An easy to use four-in-one herbicide for beet crops, including fodder beet, Betanal quattro is a great option for post emergence weed control. It is the only formulation available in New Zealand that contains the four most commonly used herbicide active ingredients used in beet crops.

Previously farmers would have to mix separate products together. To make it even easier for farmers, Bayer CropScience has launched a microsite (www.growbiggerbeet.co.nz) which contains additional information on weed control programmes for beet crops.

Prosaro
Bayer decided to introduce Prosaro to the market following a tough year for farmers in 2013 when many struggled to effectively control Septoria tritici. The disease has been present in New Zealand for many years, but recently has become the main foliar disease attacking wheat. In some cases, it can reduce yields by 50% or more.

Prosaro combines the most effective fungicide against Septoria tritici – prothioconazole – with tebuconazole. It is the only such dual formulation available in New Zealand and can also be used to control stripe rust and leaf rust in wheat. It is the ideal product for helping reduce resistance.