b'Feed the Planet and Farm SustainablyAs Bob Reiter, head of research and development for Bayer, moves into 2023, finding new solutions for growers to feed the globe in a sustainable way stays top-of-mind.Seed World (SW): What is your preferred digital contentaudiobooks, Netflix, podcasts, etc.? Why?Bob Reiter (BR): Actually, I am a big do-it-yourself guy so, I have become a YouTube addict. It is amazing how I can find content on almost any topic whether it is car repair, cabinetry building or how to tie a certain fishing knot (I didnt know there were so many!). SW: What was your first experience with agriculture?BR: My dad grew up on a farm in Austria. It was a typical small farm in Europe where they grew and processed wheat, had an orchard and vineyard. I have fond memories spending time there harvesting cherries and helping with grain processing. Those experiences on my grandfathers farm showed me that farming is hard work but, also that there is something magical about growing something. I guess its no surprise that I came around to studying plant genetics and working in agriculture. after all Gregor Mendel was Austrian.Interestingly, as I started to explore career opportunities in horticulture, I met a professor who gave a talk about careers and he happened to be a plant breeder. He took me on as an under-graduate student to work on a research project and encouraged me to pursue a Ph.D. in plant breeding and plant genetics and I have never looked back. our customers is invaluable and helps us inform and prioritize our research pipeline. I always feel energized when I think SW: What current research project are you most excitedabout the societal impact a product can bring and being out in about? a farmers field really helps bring that to life. We are fortunate BR: There is so much farmer interest around our Smart Cornat Bayer to have a big toolbox, so really it is more about our System featuring short stature corn hybrids. And Ive never beenimagination. Farmers needs are always a source of inspiration more excited about a product launch. I truly believe this will beas is our incredible team of scientists at Bayer. In fact, a group a game changer in corn production. Standing about one-thirdof growers recently spent time with our top 170 R&D leaders. It shorter than standard height hybrids, this technology improveswas a fascinating conversation and they reminded us about the standability, including better greensnap and stalk lodging toler- different challenges they face in their operations and the ones ance, to help reduce crop loss and mitigate risk from challengingthey all share. environmental conditions and extreme weather like high winds. It also gives growers season-long access with their equipmentSW: What are your top priorities for Bayer R&D as 2023 which will allow them to more precisely apply inputs like ferti- approaches?lizer and crop protection products. Finally, we see opportunitiesBR: Our mission is to design the best solutions for growers so to boost yield potentially with higher planting densities. I amthat they can successfully feed our planet while farming sustain-thrilled about our plans for hundreds of on-farm plots of shortably. So, our top priorities are to continue to deliver innovative stature corn hybrids in North America next year and the insightsproducts like new high-yielding seed products, new innovative we will gain for this new systems approach. chemistries and biologicals and game-changing traits like smart corn. But we wont stop there because we need to deliver those SW: How do you manage to keep generating new ideas? products as solutions that help growers get the best outcome BR: It has been great to be out in the field again with our cus- and meet the challenges of a growing population, climate tomers after the last few years. The feedback we receive fromchange and sustainable energy.SW92/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2022'