News on Crop Protection

Bayer and Monsanto today announced that they signed a definitive merger agreement under which Bayer will acquire Monsanto for USD 128 per share in an all-cash transaction.

Bayer AG raised its offer to buy Monsanto Co. and create a new global leader in seeds and pesticides, though the German firm said the higher price depended on achieving a 'negotiated transaction.'

Potato psyllids have been reported in specific fields in western and central North Dakota. At this point populations are not widespread.

With pesticide resistance rising in species of aphids which feed on potatoes and spread viruses, one of the best control options for growers battling these pests may be found in nature, free of charge: parasitic wasps.

Interpom | Primeurs 2016 promises to be the biggest edition of this potato event ever and the 2016 theme is: 'Growing through precision technology'.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension 'Spudbug' Newsletter, it is shaping up to be a Colorado Potato Beetle (CPB) year in the Red River Valley.

The North-western European Potato growers (NEPG) expect the combined potato acreage in Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Great Britain to be 552.000 hectares (1.36 million acres). This is an increase of 4.9 percent compared to last year.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of New Zealand has approved a type of parasitic wasp as a biological control agent to combat the tomato potato psyllid (a plant louse), which attacks tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums and tamarillos in the country.

For years, PEI potato farmer Robert Green has been growing barley and canola in rotation with potatoes. This season, he’s decided to try something new.

The University of Southern Denmark is developing an ecodrone that will combat pests in completely new ways.

Un trágico saldo de una persona fallecida y 19 más intoxicadas, dejó el uso irresponsable de un fungicida sobre un cultivo de papa, en la vereda San Rafael, del municipio de La Calera, cerca de Bogotá, durante la noche de este miércoles, informaron miembros del cuerpo de bomberos de Cundinamarca.

Irresponsible use of fungicide on a potato crop in Colombia left one person dead and 19 intoxicated

In response to further market speculation and stakeholder inquiries, Bayer is publicly disclosing the contents of its private proposal to acquire Monsanto.

Bayer AG is exploring a potential bid for U.S. competitor Monsanto Co. in a deal that would create the world’s largest supplier of seeds and farm chemicals, according to people familiar with the matter.

Syngenta announced today the appointment of J. Erik Fyrwald, currently President and CEO of the U.S. chemistry distribution company Univar Inc., as Chief Executive Officer effective June 1.

Entomologist Ada Szczepaniec at Texas A&M AgriLife Research is addressing the concern of growing resistance of potato psyllids to the neonicotinoid classification of insecticides.

Research to develop potatoes with sustainable resistance against phytophthora via genetic modification with genes from wild potatoes and good resistance management ended with the publication of the scientific results. The approach resulted in potato plants which require 80% less chemical control.

Potato growers in Maine are cautiously watching the actions of the EPA as it reviews federal regulations for a popular insecticide (Imidacloprid - an effective insecticide against the Colorado potato beetle) that can be harmful to bees.