Fluency Agent Showcased for Second Year on More Than 60,000 US Corn and Soybean Acres

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Last year Bayer CropScience conducted its first large-scale field trials of its new Fluency Agent seed lubricant, which received favorable reviews from growers. To ensure the commercial viability of the seed lubricant replacement, this year Bayer again engaged with equipment manufacturers, seed companies and retailers across the United States to demonstrate product effectiveness.

Fluency Agent dramatically helps reduce the already low-level of potential risk of exposure to pollinators if they come in direct contact with dust during planting. This and other factors were tested by hundreds of growers through the distribution of more than 520 cases of the product. More than 88 users in the U.S. completed the field study's survey, representing nearly 60,000 acres. Based on grower feedback from these trials, Fluency Agent:

• Performed equal to or better than comparable talc or graphite lubricants (90 percent of respondents);
• Had noticeably less dust and a lower use rate (75 percent of respondents); and
• Had less buildup on planter plates or discs which allowed for easier planter cleanup (94 percent of respondents).

"This year's testing of Fluency Agent was an unqualified success," said Kerry Grossweiler, SeedGrowth Equipment and Coatings manager with Bayer CropScience. "The data we have gathered from the second year of field testing in the U.S. are overwhelmingly positive and we are excited for growers to have available to use in 2015."

Customer feedback reveals that the product performed as expected or better. Bayer will finalize its analysis of the results of the field trials and work with planter equipment manufacturers, seed companies and retailers to have Fluency Agent available for growers in 2015.

Bayer is dedicated to crop protection and is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable agricultural practices, including the protection of beneficial insects such as honey bees. The Company has been actively involved in finding solutions to improve honey bee health for more than 25 years. Its Bee Care Program includes initiatives designed to further bee health research, engagement and discussion and brings Bayer's extensive experience and knowledge in bee health under one platform.

Bayer CropScience Twitter Page: 
http://twitter.com/bayer4cropsus

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http://twitter.com/BayerBeeCare

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http://www.facebook.com/BayerBeeCareCenter

Bayer CropScience Blog:
http://connect.bayercropscience.us

Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative or visit Bayer CropScience online at www.bayercropscience.us.

Visit the Bayer Connect - Social Hub for all Bayer CropScience social media, recent news, blog posts, videos and more. 

About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 8,819 million (2013) and is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 22,400 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.

Find more information at www.bayercropscience.us.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer CropScience