Bayer CropScience, protecting crops, saving French fries

Agriculture can sometimes be a tough business to be in. Climate change, the economy, pests and diseases can all affect yields, prices and profits.

In 2008/09 the New Zealand potato industry came under threat from one of these hazards – a new pest known as the potato psyllid. At the time, there was no effective solution available for controlling the pest and New Zealand potato crops were starting to feel the effects. Not only were potato crop yields reduced, but the psyllid carried two plant diseases (Liberibacter and Phytoplasma), that affected tuber quality and resulted in many potatoes being unsuitable for processing, particularly into French fries.

By working closely with regulators, industry bodies and leading growers such as A S Wilcox & Sons, Bayer was able to get emergency registration for two innovative products that were effective against the psyllid – Movento® and Oberon®.

A S Wilcox Potato Crop Manager Monty Spencer says he has worked with Bayer and some of its CropScience employees for more than 30 years.

“With the psyllid impacting upon our crops and with limited effective control options, it was great to be able to work with Bayer on quickly coming up with a solution for the psyllid.

“Getting Oberon and Movento registered was excellent work and reflects how well Bayer is able to work with the industry,” he adds.