b'PARTNER CONTENTBig Steps Towards Protecting Crops and Our Environment TooI n the past few decades, crop protection tools impact on theof product is applied at the right time and in the right place, seed environment have decreased steadily even as yields have dra- applied treatments to reduce the volume of product used, and tar-matically increased. Innovative inputs, new ways to farm andgeted genetics and traits that reduce the need for in-field chemical more precise application technologies mean we as a company andcrop protection. Were also striving to develop new chemistries we as the entire agriculture industry have the opportunityandthat offer both efficacy and reduced environmental risk, and new the responsibilityto constantly improve how we interact withbiologics that complement and enhance integrated pest manage-our environment.ment. And were working with growers to help them learn holistic At Bayer, were proud to help growers produce more with less.best management practices like buffer strips, tillage practices, According to an assessment conducted by the Technical Uni- cover crops and drift / run-off mitigation techniques that support versity of Denmark, the environmental impact of Bayers cropimproved stewardship and integrated pest management. protection portfolio versus its total acres is exceptionally low, bothIts not enough to say were improving; we need to show real in total impact and when compared to other companies. Thoughchange. Were measuring our impact using environmental impact were proud of that achievement, we believe more can be done. Inassessment models developed by the Technical University of Den-fact, were committed to further impact reductions by 2030. Spe- mark. Currently were focusing on the potential impact on aquatic cifically, we plan to reduce the environmental impact of our cropecosystems, but we plan to expand to measuring impact on soil protection tools on a global treated area per hectare basis by 30%and pollinators in the future. Because these models and the un-by 2030 compared to a 2014-2018 average baseline.derlying methodology is publicly available, we invite the scientific How will we achieve this change? Because there is no one-size- community to check our progress and verify where we stand on fits-all solution in farming, we will partner with growers in a va- our commitment. Were in this together: we need to encourage, riety of ways that best suit their specific geographic and croppingsupport and hold each other accountable. realities. Some of the tools well use to optimize crop protection include: precision application tools to ensure the right amountContent provided by BayerJUNE 2023 SEEDWORLD.COM /21'