Post

BASF committed to the future of agriculture

BASF recently announced it will invest more than $270 million to expand herbicide production capacities in the United States and will launch more than 20 new products, highlighted by an advanced dicamba formulation, Engenia herbicide, in 2015.  In a joint announcement with Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. (MCAG), BASF shared that it has signed an exclusive global development and license agreement for a new insecticide.

(Photo of Nevn McDougall courtesy of AgWired)

During the BASF Ag Media Summit held earlier this month in Durham, N.C., Nevin McDougall, Senior Vice President for Crop Protection, North America told Brownfield the co-development agreement between BASF and Mitsui is a great partnership that he believes will yield new technologies and new solutions in the future.   

Through the continued expansion of resistant weeds, McDougall said BASF has seen the need for an alternative mode of action has been on a dramatic increase.  The investment to expand production capacity for key herbicides dicamba and DMTA at the Beaumont, Texas site as well as upgrade production at the Hannibal, Missouri site is significant and a great opportunity for customers. 

McDougall said BASF is looking forward to the launch of dicamba-tolerant soybeans.  Along with that, BASF will launch its new formulation of dicamba within the next 12 to 18 months.  Engenia will compliment an integrated weed management solution and integrated approach.

Standing on a stage in a renovated warehouse on the former American Tobacco campus, Nevin McDougall welcomed media to the 2014 BASF Ag Media Summit. The venue was fitting as McDougall told attendees that the many changes in agriculture have opened the door to innovation and prosperity.

The impact that BASF can have on the acre is the thing that inspires the BASF Vice President of Crop Protection for North America.  McDougall is encouraged by the potential of new technologies; of bringing them together into a more integrated, holistic approach to have a great outcome. 

McDougall is confident agriculture can meet the growing demand for food, fiber and fuel for the future, but it will take improved yield, efficiency and sustainability.  BASF is working to tailor its investment to those long term needs.  He said BASF is committed to meeting the challenges. 

 Audio: Conversation with Nevin McDougall – Senior Vice President, North America (5:06min. mp3)