b"Focusing on nutrient useminimize herbicide usage,BASF has trained salesBASFs e3 program for cotton efficiency in seed selectionPerry says.teams and advisors to helpensures the cotton is pro-also helps reduce runoff con- Its also important for agri- customers determine their bestduced in a socially equitable, cerns.culture companies to focusindividual sustainability plans.economically viable and envi-We say our SuperSedeon their own environmentalYou can't broad brush it.ronmentally responsible way, seed treatment productsfootprints.Youve really got to under- but Perry says the program offer a propulsion rather thanWe are looking at howstand the individual operationisnt necessarily driving the protection. They're nutri- we're building new infrastruc- to build out their best sustain- sustainable practices. tional products so we're reallyture and new production sites,ability plan, Perry says. EveryWe actually found that focusing on propelling thatand we're incorporating usingcompany has their vision andover 70% of growers enrolled plant early on in its lifecycle,only green energy to make ourmission and its important towere already using reduced which helps it become a moreproducts in those new produc- consider how sustainability fitstillage practices. As a result, healthy, sustainable plant andtion sites, Richards says.into that. they also saw around 68% that will need less crop protec- Through the process ofFor organizations thatreduction in carbon emissions tion, especially synthetic cropexpanding their lab in Norfolk,are just getting started withbecause of the sequestering, protection, Richards says. Va., FBSciences is install- sustainability plans, RichardsPerry says. FBSciences also usesing green hoods and usingsays dont wait for perfectionThe program provides natural components wheneverenergy saving methods thatbefore getting started.education and coaching, but possible, such as biopesticideswill reduce their overall energyYou dont need thealso the necessary metrics rather than synthetic pesti- cost by 70%. perfect plan, maybe get yourand tracking for growers to be cides.We're not just looking forplan 80% there and then getable to report those efforts, Were trying to pushwhat we can provide grow- started because the soonervalidate sustainability claims, more in the direction of softers, but what else we can doyou start the plan, the soonerand share those stories with chemistry wherever possibleas a company to reduce ouryoure going to see benefits,the world. while still providing adequatefootprint as well, Richardsshe says. protection for the consumerexplains. And its okay to take theEducational Effortsso you see the benefits of theeasy steps first.Education is another impor-environment from that as wellCoaching Customers Our products are easy totant aspect. as the economic benefits forIts about finding the needincorporate into practices. So,Were working to inform the grower, Richards says. and filling it with a sustainableyou start with those light liftson good, best practices to Perry says its important tosolution, which also appliesby finding something morehelp ensure viability of traits, consider the regulatory andto how companies can coachsustainable that you can tradethe seeds and even the chem-safety standpoint as well. their customers in sustainabil- out and then look at your planistry we're using, Perry says.BASF has a validationity solutions. as you go on, Richards says. It is important customers process which rates all currentFrom a marketing or aAnd when you do seehave this information to help and future products based onbusiness standpoint, youvethose benefits, celebratemake their own sustainable in-house stewardship guide- got to understand your cus- them! farm management decisions.lines.tomers and the challengesIf you're trying to driveMother Nature has been In addition, smart sprayingthey're facing as well as thebigger change within yourtrying to keep the earth green technology will continue to beopportunities that are in theorganization, you need toand bugs and critters living important, not only in target- market, so that's where a lotcelebrate the little wins alonglonger than we've been trying ing weeds specifically, but alsoof ideas will start, Perry says.the way to show how youreto manage them to grow in reducing the physical tripsFor example, no till prac- already contributing and thenbetter crops, so if you don't across a field so we're nottices allow growers to captureit starts to get momentum,have a good plan in place having to burn as much fuel tocarbon credits, and BASF isPerry says. eventually, she's going to win get things done. Were work- looking for products to supportout, he says.ing on ways that farmers canthose models, including newSharing Stories Most recently, BASF be more targeted and moretrait platforms with their seedIts important to share theopened its Center for precise with applications thatlines for crops such as wheatefforts and successes alreadySustainable Agriculture, can help control pests andand canola, among others. happening. For example,which is open to the public by SEPTEMBER 2022SEEDWORLD.COM /57"