Poncho®/VOTiVO® Seed Treatment Boosts Corn and Soybean Yields

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Recent yield data(1) confirms that Poncho®/VOTiVO®, a seed treatment that combines the most trusted seed-applied insecticide in corn with the most revolutionary, complete nematode protection on the seed, consistently provides higher crop yield for corn when compared to using only Poncho® 250 and soybeans when compared to using Gaucho® alone. Growers and seed treaters can learn more about these results at Bayer CropScience's booth during Commodity Classic, March 1 through March 3, 2012 in Nashville, Tenn.

According to the United Nations, the current world population is 7 billion and expected to surpass 9 billion by 2050. Because of this, more food needs to be produced by using less land, water and energy. Bayer CropScience views seed treatment technology as an essential part of helping increase the food supply.

Growers using Poncho/VOTiVO nationwide are seeing higher yields among their corn and soybean crops. Based on current commodity prices, on average growers can earn an additional $24.75 per acre in corn and $15.20 per acre in soybeans by using Poncho/VOTiVO.(2) Further, five years of field tests have shown that Poncho/VOTiVO brings an average increase in corn yields of
4-to-8 bushels per acre. Over four years of evaluation, soybean growers have seen an average of 1.5-to-2.5 bushels per acre increase beyond seeds with standard treatment.(3)

Poncho/VOTiVO was first introduced on corn seed for the 2011 growing season, and is now available for soybeans and cotton for the 2012 growing season. For corn, Poncho/VOTiVO controls insects including black cutworms, wireworms and other important early-season insects, as well as nematodes, such as needle, root lesion, lance, dagger, stubby root, sting, spiral, root knot and stunt.

For soybeans, Poncho/VOTiVO controls insects including early-season aphids, over-wintering bean leaf beetle, seed corn maggot, grape colaspis, white grub and other early-season pests. It also protects soybeans from nematodes, such as reniform, root knot and soybean cyst (SCN). Poncho/VOTiVO also complements existing SCN-resistant soybean varieties for even greater protection.

"The data we have seen supports Poncho/VOTiVO's promise to deliver consistent yield benefits to growers," said Ethan Luth, Bayer CropScience seed treatment product manager. "And while yield increases are important, Poncho/VOTiVO also helps enable growers to get their seed off to a strong start, which allows them to reap more benefits from the seeds they plant, including increased plant health and vigor."

For more information about Poncho/VOTiVO visit http://www.ponchovotivo.us.

About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 6.830 billion (2010), is one of the world's leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 20,700 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.

USA-BCS-2012-0066

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.

©2012 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg'd), the Bayer Cross (reg'd), Poncho® and VOTiVO® are trademarks of Bayer. Poncho®/VOTiVO® is not registered in all states. For additional product information call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our Website at www.BayerCropScienceUS.com.

(1) Yield data obtained by Bayer CropScience and is based on 647 field trials between 2007-2011

(2) According to CMEGroup.com, using March 2012 future prices as of Feb. 16, 2012, the price for corn was $6.35 per bushel and for soybeans it was $12.61 per bushel. The additional revenue was calculated based on the commodity price per bushel multiplied by the additional yield per acre of Poncho/VOTiVO, according the Bayer CropScience's research, subtracting the cost of Poncho/VOTiVO per acre.

(3) The Bayer CropScience recommended standard treatment for corn seed is Poncho® 250, and for soybean seed the standard treatment is Gaucho®

SOURCE Bayer CropScience