February 2022 - 13

trusted brands united under Vegetables
by Bayer. Our De Ruiter brand is
dedicated to serving protected culture
growers. Its origins are a part of the
Dutch legacy that pioneered the world's
breakthroughs in seed science. De
Ruiter focuses on innovative breeding
for seeds and solutions that address
the unique needs of glasshouse and
greenhouse production. Our Seminis
brand has a rich history in delivering
best in class innovative vegetable seeds
and solutions that address the needs of
open field and greenhouse growers. We
offer more than 20 different crops in
more than 150 countries and territories.
But even more importantly, we support
open field growers with advanced
agronomic advice to overcome the
challenges of the open field growing
environment. Together, these two
brands allow us to support our growers
and partners at a powerful scale. We can
leverage our industry-leading research
and development as well as our teams of
passionate employees around the world
to help improve lives through advancing
health and nutrition.
VGN: The company mentioned
in its news release how it already
offers many crop protection
products that can be used in
organic agriculture. Roughly how
many different Bayer products are
certified by OMRI or other agencies
for use in organic agriculture?
ID: Beyond our vegetable varieties,
many of our non-synthetic crop
making this announcement last
September?
ID: Our customers have been
protection products, or biologicals,
are critical tools for certified organic
growers around the world. Our
biologicals also help to improve soil,
root and plant health, key factors that
make sustainable agriculture possible.
We offer several OMRI-listed
biological fungicides including the
Serenade family of brands, and a new
product, Minuet, a fungicide specifically
designed for soil application that
supports early plant establishment and
increasing vigor in fruiting vegetables.
Other biological crop protection
products, which are authorized for
use in organic agriculture in Europe
include: BioAct, a fungal-based
nematicide that also helps to increase
yield, FLiPPER, a bioinsecticide derived
from a natural byproduct of extra
virgin olive oil which controls a broad
spectrum of insect and mite pests, and
Vynyty Citrus, a pheromone-based
insecticide to control citrus pests.
In Latin America, we offer
AgroCopper, a non-synthetic fungicide
based on copper to combat and control
fungi and bacteria.
For more information about Bayer's
innovations in biologicals, visit www.
cropscience.bayer.com/innovations/
agriculture-biologicals.
VGN: What reactions have
you had from growers since
asking us to offer certified organic
varieties so they can maintain access
to Bayer's strong genetics to help
boost productivity in supplying the
organic market. We're hearing that
they are pleased to be able to have
more choice in the seeds they select
for their operations. We've also had a
lot of interest in our organic rootstock
portfolio, and offers to help us in
extending our organic trials network
further, and in new geographies, so
it feels like we are seen as a welcome
partner to help organic growers secure
great quality produce to more markets.
And we are dedicated to being our
growers' preferred partner of choice by
providing best-in-class seed varieties
and tailored solutions.
VGN: What's next for this effort?
ID: We're committed to expanding
and developing our organic seed portfolio
to support growers around the world
to bring great quality organic crops to
consumers. For this initial launch, we
prioritized the largest markets in terms
of grower demand for organic seed in
order to leverage our development trials
with organic growers and to support
our customers and learn faster. We will
now accelerate growth and portfolio
development. We have a strategic review
underway to assess exactly where,
when and how to expand our crops and
growing environments. VGN
Growers rely on
Vegetable Growers
News to provide the
resources they need for
a successful operation.
In the 2022 Buyers'
Guide, you will find
the latest products in
biologicals, irrigation,
postharvest and much
more!
Visit
VegetableGrowers
News.com/BuyersGuide
VGN | FEBRUARY 2022 | 11
http://cropscience.bayer.com/innovations/ http://www.News.com/BuyersGuide
February 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2022
