Soy Splash

Matthew Wilde, Crops Editor

BASF’s agriculture offerings have moved beyond crop protection and now include a complete soybean portfolio.

The multinational company acquired several soybean seed, seed treatment, research and other products from Bayer last year. Government regulators required Bayer to divest multiple assets in order to gain approval of its purchase of Monsanto.

BASF introduced two new soybean seed treatments, a new insecticide and the latest Credenz LibertyLink soybean seed varieties at Commodity Classic, in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year. More than 9,000 farmers and industry officials attended the four-day event that featured hundreds of companies showcasing the latest crop inputs, equipment and technology.

The annual ag extravaganza was the ideal place to unveil new and improved products, BASF officials say.

“It was a great opportunity to build brand awareness and talk about BASF’s expanded soy portfolio,” says Jeremiah Mullock, product development manager.

Soy products promoted at classic included:

> Credenz LibertyLink GT27 seed. New biotech varieties feature genetics to drive yield and greater flexibility when it comes to managing weeds throughout the season.

> Sefina insecticide. Inscalis is the active ingredient to better manage soybean aphids.

> Vault IP Plus seed treatment. It delivers increased root nodulation and disease protection for an overall healthier soybean plant.

> Obvius Plus fungicide seed treatment. Engineered for long-lasting disease control and early-season stress tolerance to promote vigorous plants and excellent stands.

SEED VARIETIES

Marc Hoobler, BASF U.S. soybean agronomy lead, says the company is poised to increase its soy market share with an expanded lineup of advanced products.

Thirteen varieties of Credenz LibertyLink GT27 seed were offered this year in maturity groups zero to four, and 24 additional varieties will be available in 2020. Hoobler says internal and third-party research trials show the brand sports a 2- to 4-bushel-per-acre advantage over the competition.

“The soybean seed piece was missing until now,” he adds. “(Credenz) doesn’t take a back seat from a performance standpoint.

“We’ve seen tremendous market penetration with the LibertyLink technology as herbicide resistance continues to be an issue,” Hoobler continues. “This is the first herbicide trait system that provides tolerance to both glyphosate and Liberty. It really opens up choices to growers.”

Credenz was the 10th most-planted brand in the nation last year, according to the company.

BASF is seeking government approval for triple-stack Credenz that includes an HPPD herbicide tolerance trait. The company hopes to market it in 2020.

CROP PROTECTION

Mullock says Obvius Plus benefits farmers as they continue to plant soybeans earlier than ever before. Seeds are vulnerable in cold and wet conditions. The seed treatment protects against four key soybean diseases: phytophthora, Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia.

Vault IP has two active biologicals for improved fungicidal activity and protection.

“Seed treatments help get seed out of the ground … establish good stands,” Mullock says.

Sefina insecticide has a unique mode of action that disrupts the sensory responses to cease feeding of target insects such as soybean aphids.

“We can put together a complete acre for a soybean grower that’s second to none,” Hoobler says.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

> BASF

> Follow Matthew on Twitter @progressivwilde

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