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Bayer system prevents surface water contamination on farm

A company known for creating crop protection agents is investing heavily in research and development of products and systems to strengthen sustainability on the farm.

More than 90 journalists from 36 countries gathered earlier this week at Laacher Hof, a 6-centuries old former monastery set on a 300 acre farm near Monheim, Germany.  Hosted by Bayer CropScience near the company’s Monheim campus, attendees witnessed demonstrations of new products and systems designed to strengthen sustainability on the farm.

David Lembrich, Global Products Stewardship Manager with Bayer CropScience demonstrated Bayer’s biological effluent treatment system Phytobac, designed to prevent contamination of surface waters from cleaning or filling sprayers.  The contaminated water first flows into a mud tank where soil settles as sediment.  The water then flows into a second tank and is fed in doses into a substrate container filled with soil and straw.  The straw serves as an additional source of carbon to promote microbial degradation.

Lembrich told Brownfield the size of the system is easily calculated depending on farm size and the Phytobac treatment system can be used for farms of any size.  Although not yet being used in the United States, Lembrich said there are many systems in place around the world. France has 4500 of these systems in place and there are many in place in other European countries. Australia, Canada and Latin America have installations.  Because of the problems with contamination of surface water in China, the government in that country has ordered the system to be installed.

Lembrich said many farmers are not aware how much surface water is being contaminated or at risk of contamination on their farms.

Audio with David Lembrich, Global Products Stewardship Manager with Bayer CropScience: