As the technology leader in the agricultural industry, BASF announced it will bring its leading Brazilian-based expert on Plant Health™ and Asian soybean rust to the United States to help U.S. soybean producers manage the disease.

Dr. Jose (Zeze’) Munhoz-Felippe, currently head of the company’s Research and Development and Technical Services group in Brazil, has accepted a two-year assignment with BASF in the United States to share his expertise with the U.S. soybean industry. Prior to his current role, Dr. Munhoz was the marketing manager responsible for the top fungicide used to control Asian soybean rust in South America. Dr. Munhoz will serve as an expert resource for BASF personnel, its channel partners and growers, sharing his hands-on experience with the devastation caused by Asian soybean rust and his expertise in effectively controlling the disease.

“What U.S. soybean producers and ag retailers need right now are straight answers about effectively preventing Asian soybean rust, not marketing messages,” said Andy Lee, Director of U.S. Business Operations for BASF.

“BASF has extensive experience in South America that will help U.S. growers avoid costly mistakes. With his tested and proven experience, Dr. Munhoz can share with us the most effective ways to protect fields, yields
and profitability using timely, preventative fungicide treatments.”

“BASF employees and customers will benefit first-hand from Zeze’s extensive experience,” Lee said. “He will be an invaluable addition to our already strong team working on Headlineâ fungicide and Headline tank mixes to prevent disease and improve Plant Health™.”

Dr. Munhoz grew up on a coffee farm in Brazil and has a Master of Science in Plant Pathology from Sao Paulo State University. He is widely recognized as an expert on fungicides and soybean diseases, including Asian soybean rust. Currently the head of the BASF Research and Development and Technical Service groups in Brazil, he has worked with F500®, the active ingredient in Headline, since the early 1990s. In 1998, he led a sevenmember team in training BASF representatives and customers on the use of fungicides in row crops.

In 2001, Dr. Munhoz assumed responsibility for the introduction and launch of Opera® fungicide. Opera is a mixture of F500 and a triazole fungicide. Opera has been the number one product in South America for the control of Asian soybean rust for the past two years.

BASF is the market leader in fungicides in South America. Lee said BASF is committed to bringing that expertise to the United States to help American growers and the channel prepare for the advent of Asian soybean rust.
For more information regarding Asian soybean rust, please visit SoybeanRustInfo.com. 

With sales of €3,176 million in 2003, BASF’s Agricultural Products division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and
herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve yields and quality of agricultural crops. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Agricultural Products division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agproducts.basf.com.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Our goal is to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company. We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent system solutions and high-quality products. BASF’s portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities. We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2003, BASF had sales of more than €33 billion (circa $42 billion). BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Always read and follow label directions.
F500, Headline and Opera are registered trademarks and Plant Health is a trademark of BASF.