June 06, 2012
Growers are looking to maximize profits in record-setting corn planting year
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, June 6, 2012 -- A mild winter followed by optimal early-spring planting weather throughout most of the Corn Belt means corn farmers may see disease pressure earlier than normal this year. A well-timed fungicide treatment will help curb disease pressure, providing the protection needed for a successful growing season.
The 2012 growing season is off to a big start. A 75-year high of planted corn acres is reflective of growers’ expectations of high returns in 2012. With current corn prices and profit potential in sight, farmers have an additional opportunity to push higher yields to capitalize on corn acres.
But to achieve maximum profit - especially with so many planting corn - growers will need to plan ahead and be vigilant protecting their crop from disease.
“With the increase in corn acres this year, combined with the mild winter, corn crops are at risk for damaging disease pressure,” said Nick Fassler, Technical Market Manager, BASF. “Timely fungicide applications are essential to control disease early to help achieve yield potential and produce healthier crops.”
Disease inoculum is able to survive in the soil or residue during a warm winter. As the season progresses, corn becomes even more susceptible Stressed crops are prone to troublesome diseases such as anthracnose, gray leaf spot, Northern corn leaf blight and common rust.
Preparing for a well-timed application of Headline AMP™ fungicide is a key component to controlling disease in order to maximize yield.
“The stakes are high for growers to produce a record or near-record corn crop this year,” Fassler said. “An important part of corn production is controlling disease with an application of Headline AMP from full tassel to early blister to protect corn during grain fill and maximize yield potential.”
Headline AMP is a combination fungicide containing F500® - the active ingredient in Headline® fungicide - and a unique, best-in-class triazole. On-farm research shows Headline AMP provides more corn per acre than any other fungicide on the market.
For more information on BASF Crop Protection products, visit http://agproducts.basf.us, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
About the Crop Protection division
With sales of € 4.1 billion in 2011, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/basfagro.
BASF – The Chemical Company
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $20 billion in 2011. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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