July 29, 2010

BASF survey focuses on biggest challenges in grain production

Stress tolerance of crops, unpredictable weather, and residual control of weeds are three of the biggest challenges to grain producers, according to a survey conducted recently by BASF Crop Protection.

Findings were released during the Ag Media Summit in St. Paul, Minnesota.

More than 600 corn, hay, soy and wheat growers from 44 states participated in the survey, which examined challenges growers face in regard to managing yield, choosing the most effective inputs, and dealing with plant stress factors. It also examined the importance of new crop protection innovations to growers.

"This type of research is an important step in ensuring the BASF product portfolio delivers agronomic benefits, sustainability and grower convenience," said Gary Fellows, Ph.D., Technical Services Regional Manager for BASF. "Along with the important feedback we continually receive from growers, BASF will be able to use this information to continue our effort to help growers get the most out of every acre."

The survey uncovered many key findings including the top concerns of growers when it comes to disease, stress, weeds and new crop protection chemistries. Specifically, 54% of growers indicated that disease pressure is a major concern and 75% of growers indicated that stress tolerance of crops is a difficult issue to manage.

"The survey tells us that growers are constantly challenged by disease pressure and stress tolerance, and most of these growers need an effective fungicide to address these challenges," Fellows said. "In addition to a new family of fungicide products BASF recently submitted for EPA registration, growers can rely on Headline® fungicide and Headline AMP fungicide for excellent disease control and plant health benefits, including improved stress tolerance from issues like changing weather situations."

When asked about weed management issues, 57% of growers reported residual control of weeds as their most difficult weed challenge and 50% reported difficulty when dealing with resistance to glyphosate.

About 93% of growers indicated that new crop protection chemistries will be important to their business in the next five years as they continue to manage issues related to crop stress, weather and weeds. BASF is poised to expand its portfolio of crop protection products with 28 new products planned for release in the next four years with nine new active ingredients, including herbicide, fungicide and insecticide products.