Bayer CropScience and MS Technologies Receive Approval for Balance GT Soybean Technology in the United States
Research Triangle Park, N.C. (PRWEB) August 21, 2013 -- Bayer CropScience and MS Technologies LLC have achieved a milestone on their path to delivering new solutions for soybean farmers. The dual herbicide tolerance trait Balance™ GT (Event FG72) has received cultivation approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This step follows approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and approvals already received for cultivation, food and feed uses in Canada, and import in Australia/New Zealand.
This technology confers tolerance to both isoxaflutole (an HPPD inhibitor) and glyphosate herbicides and is intended to be an important tool for weed control and resistance management. The first launch is planned for the US in mid-decade, pending regulatory approvals. Balance GT is owned by MS Technologies and will be commercialized by them.
“The well-known herbicide Balance has been used in corn production successfully for several years. The new Balance GT Soybean Performance System is intended to address the weed management challenges faced by soybean farmers,” said Frank Terhorst, head of the Seeds business unit of Bayer CropScience. “Farmers will benefit from effective cross-spectrum weed control and an excellent weed resistance management tool. We are pleased with the progress we are making on the regulatory front for Balance GT.”
”Resistance to herbicides is a global challenge demanding new solutions. The dual modes of action in Balance GT soybeans are intended to help soybean farmers improve their efficiency and flexibility in weed management,” said Joseph Merschman, president of MS Technologies. “We are well on track to deliver this technology in high-yielding, best-in-class soybean varieties developed by MS Technologies.”
Bayer and MS Technologies have been collaborating since 2007 with new herbicide tolerance technologies for soybeans.
Currently, more than 90 percent of soybeans grown in the US are genetically modified and tolerant to either glyphosate or glufosinate (LibertyTM) herbicides. Balance GT is expected to be one of the first dual-herbicide tolerant products for soybeans on the market in the U.S. and an important alternative to current solutions.
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About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. This year the company looks back on 150 years of working to fulfill its mission “Bayer: Science For A Better Life.” Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, has annual sales of EUR 8,383 million (2012) and is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 20,800 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: press.bayercropscience.com. Follow Bayer CropScience on Twitter (@Bayer4Crops).
About MS Technologies LLC
MS Technologies LLC is a leading trait, technology and soybean genetics provider. MS Technologies features a portfolio of in-house traits, as well as wide access to other traits and technologies through collaborative agreements with other parties. Follow MS Technologies on Twitter (@mstechseed), visit their Facebook page or view their website at http://www.mstechseed.com.
For more information, contact:
Bayer CropScience Media Hotline, 1-877-879-6162, or
Becca Hogan
Bayer CropScience
Tel. +1 (919) 549-2998
becca(dot)hogan(at)bayer(dot)com
Twitter: @bayer4cropus
Lauren August
MS Technologies
Tel. + 1 (877) 822-6181
lauren(at)mstechseed(dot)com
USA-BCS-2013-0240
Forward-looking statement
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports, which are available on the Bayer website at bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Bayer CropScience LP, 2 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer (reg'd), the Bayer Cross (reg'd), FiberMax®, Stoneville® and E3 are trademarks of Bayer.
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Becca Hogan, Bayer CropScience, LP, (919) 549-2998, [email protected]
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