BASF signed commercial agreements with Montana State University, AGSECO and NuPride to develop and/or market new varieties of CLEARFIELD* wheat.

The newest partners bring to 10 the total number of public seed producers and/or marketers with whom BASF works to meet growing demand for CLEARFIELD wheat varieties throughout the United States. The CLEARFIELD Production System for Wheat has been developed and marketed by BASF in conjunction with University partners and private seed company partners to provide growers with non-GMO, herbicide-tolerant seeds.

“The desire and need for the CLEARFIELD technology is strong,” says Bruce Cranfill, CLEARFIELD wheat market manager for BASF. “These agreements will ensure seed quality across very different geographic areas by allowing the development of new CLEARFIELD wheat varieties adapted to local conditions.”

Beyond® herbicide, as part of the CLEARFIELD* Production System for wheat, provides one-pass, post-emergent control of many weeds, such as jointed goatgrass and downy brome. Beyond is intended exclusively for use on CLEARFIELD winter wheat and other CLEARFIELD crops.

“Cost effective weed control has always been a limiting factor in gaining and maintaining quality wheat harvests,” Cranfill said. “In the past, growers have had to rely on rotation or burn-down methods to help control grassy weeds in winter wheat. The introduction of the CLEARFIELD technology allows growers to reclaim fields and increase yields for a reasonable input cost.”

Phil Bruckner, professor of plant science at Montana State University in Bozeman, said Montana growers battle the same problem weeds as wheat farmers elsewhere, but also need varieties suited to local winters and pests. The university will use its licensing agreement with BASF to develop varieties specific to these needs.

“Most of our varieties are unique from those grown in other states,” Bruckner said. “We have severe winters, so we need a moderate to high level of cold tolerance in our varieties."

The university already has a line of hard, red CLEARFIELD wheat that is in seed production this year. Westbred LLC, of Bozeman, will market the variety for MSU, and growers should be able to plant it in the fall of 2005.

In Nebraska, NuPride, LLC, also will market a CLEARFIELD variety that is adapted from local genetics and thus better suited for growing conditions in the state.

"We will offer a CLEARFIELD variety that has a slightly higher yield and better milling and baking qualities,” said Steve Knox, secretary manager of the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association, which owns NuPride. “Bakers like it a little better.”

Its proposed name is Infinity CL, and it is expected to be available to growers in the fall of 2006, Knox said.
AGSECO will make its first CLEARFIELD variety available in 2005, said Maurice Miller, production manager with Sharp Brothers Seed Co. and an AGSECO member.

"The CLEARFIELD system is the best alternative we have for problem grasses for Kansas,” Miller said, adding that AGSECO negotiated to secure the CLEARFIELD technology because it is a system that not only enables growers to fight problem weeds, but also can increase their yields immediately.

Jim Sipes, president of Sipes Seeds Sales and chairman of AGSECO, said the first CLEARFIELD variety is in seed production now; enough seed for 30,000 acres will be available in the fall of 2005.

“A large portion of Kansas farmers need the technology,” Sipes said. “It gives growers an option that will help with their problem spots and put money in their pocket.”

The CLEARFIELD* trait also exists in sunflowers, canola, corn and rice.

All current CLEARFIELD varieties, as well as those that will be developed using this technology, are recognized as non-GMO by international regulators, processors, millers and grain markets. Currently, BASF possesses the world’s largest portfolio of non-GMO herbicide tolerant traits.

For more information on CLEARFIELD, Beyond® and other BASF crop protection products, visit the BASF Web site
at www.agproducts.basf.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.