New Seed Treatment from Bayer Offers Growers Promising Yield Benefit

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Dec. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- An analysis of data from a three-year study conducted by AgInfomatics, LLC., shows a potential revenue benefit, a reduction in input costs for farms and a reduction in the U.S. carbon footprint from using the new seed treatment Poncho^®/VOTiVO^® 2.0*.

Dr. Paul D. Mitchell, professor, department of agricultural and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin and AgInfomatics principal, led the analysis – Qualifying the Benefits of Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0. He reviewed more than 200 small plot field studies conducted over the course of three years in 13 states that measured yield impacts and how they could translate into environmental benefits and economic advantages when the new seed treatment is used.

Once the seed treatment is introduced commercially, it will give corn growers the opportunity to increase yield potential an average of 3.8 bu./A over Poncho/VOTiVO or an average of 14 bu./A over a seed-applied fungicide system.

With a 50 percent adoption rate for Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0, U.S. corn production would increase by 2 percent or an additional 156 million bushels. Without this yield increase, 110,000 tons of fertilizers would be needed to grow the same 156 million bushels of corn on more acres.

What this means for growers, according to Mitchell, is fewer inputs to achieve higher yield potential. While total revenue will depend on the price of corn and the total number of corn acres, with a price of $3.40/bu and the 50 percent adoption rate, Mitchell found that Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 showed the following impacts:

• $530 million in additional revenue for U.S. corn farms
• More than $890 million of added total economic activity for local economies
• The additional economic activity could create 6,200 new jobs
• 124 million more gallons of ethanol produced to replace 1.64 million barrels of crude oil, assuming 29% of the corn is converted to ethanol.

The energy savings from these results would be equivalent to 51.5 million gallons of gasoline—enough to cover the annual mileage of 98,000 passenger vehicles and reduce CO2 emissions by 458,000 metric tons.

"Growers will be pleased that an agronomic solution, as simple as a new breakthrough seed treatment, gives them the opportunity to increase yields and bring added revenue for their farm and community without a larger environmental footprint," said Greg Ginisty, Bayer product manager. "Growers familiar with Bayer know our commitment is bringing innovations to market that provide crop-protection solutions and sustainable technologies that include a dedication to productivity and profitability for growers."

To learn more about the Poncho/VOTiVO family and other innovations from Bayer, visit PonchoVOTiVO2.Bayer.com or contact your local sales rep.

*Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 is a seed-treatment system comprised of Poncho/VOTiVO (EPA Reg. No. 264-1109) and the soil amendment TWO.O^(TM).

Bayer 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 representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.cropscience.bayer.us.

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Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2016, the Group employed around 115,200 people and had sales of EUR 46.8 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.7 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

Contact:
Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Linda Arnold Whaley
Crop Science, a division of Bayer
Tel: (919) 549-2836
Email: [email protected]

Bailey Harmon
Rhea + Kaiser
Tel: (630) 955-2418
Email: [email protected]

Find more information at www.cropscience.bayer.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.

© 2017 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg'd), the Bayer Cross (reg'd), Poncho®, TWO.O™, and VOTiVO® are trademarks of Bayer. Poncho/VOTiVO is not registered for use in all states. The components of the Poncho/VOTiVO 2.0 seed treatment system are not registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.

SOURCE Bayer

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