California Ag Network

Tag: BASF

  • BASF Safety Scouts Farm Safety Program Launches in the US

    BASF is excited to support a safe growing season in 2023 with the launch of the BASF Safety Scouts program for U.S. farm families.

    The BASF Safety Scouts program supports children in learning about the value and importance of farm safety by providing safety kits to families free of charge. The kits contain a high-visibility safety vest, educational activities, and more, and encourages participants to take on the role of their farm’s safety ambassador – an interactive and fun way to engage in learning about farm safety.

    The BASF Safety Scouts program offers two kits. The Safety “Scout” kit is designed for children six years of age and younger while the Safety “Captain” kit activities are geared for children seven and older and promote additional safety tasks, including working with an adult to choose a designated “Safety Spot” muster point on the farm.

    This season, the BASF Safety Scouts program are providing 2,000 kits to farm families throughout the U.S. with an additional 2,000 kits available in Canada, free of charge, while supplies last.

    “BASF is committed to advocating for and prioritizing farm safety year-round,” says Scott Kay, BASF Vice President, US Agricultural Solutions. “For our grower customers, retail and industry partners, there is nothing more important than the safety of the people who work on their farms and agricultural operations.”

    “Farmers go to work every day doing the biggest job on earth. We take great pride in supporting the next generation of farmers through the BASF Safety Scouts program designed to support farms to be safer and healthier places for all to live, work and play,” Kay adds.

    Within their kits, participants in the Safety Scouts and Safety Captain programs will receive content catered toward farm safety and tailored for their respective age groups. The kits include:

    • An adjustable child-sized safety vest, compliant with safety standards
    • A customizable name badge
    • Safety-themed activity/coloring sheets
    • A safety pledge
    • A BASF Safety Scouts reward badge
    • An official BASF Safety Scouts participant certificate

    With an ever-present need for awareness around farm safety, the BASF Safety Scouts program plays a critical role in helping farm families and caregivers keep safety top of mind and instil these values at a young age.

    Safety Scouts and Safety Captains can share pictures, videos, drawings and safety tips by tagging @BASFAgProducts on Twitter using the hashtag #BASFSafetyScouts. To learn more about the BASF Safety Scouts program and inquire about receiving a free kit, please visit https://repfinder.basf.com/.

    About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions Division      

    Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2022, our division generated sales of €10.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

    About BASF 

    At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

  • BASF Ag Solutions Doubles Donation Goal to FFA, Reaching $10,000

    BASF Agricultural Solutions has exceeded its initial goal of $5,000 and raised a total of $10,000 during Give FFA Day on Thursday, February 23, 2023. Give FFA Day funds support agricultural education for Future Farmers of America (FFA). Since 2022, BASF had donated more than $550,000.

    “Together, not only did we meet our goal, but we exceeded it,” said Neil Bentley, BASF Vice President, Market Management Agricultural Solutions NA and FFA Supporters Board Member. “We raised $7,155 and with our company match, expect to surpass $10,000 for FFA. This is a huge milestone and shows how passionate BASF employees are for the industry when so many are willing to support organizations committed to leading the next generation to careers in agriculture.”

    Give FFA Day is part of an annual week-long celebration, National FFA Week, which took place from February 18 – 25. The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition beginning in 1948, spanning the week of George Washington’s birthday, to recognize Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.

    A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been influencing generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more. For more than 90 years, the National FFA Organization has strived to make a difference in students’ lives. Donations help FFA grow the next generation of leaders.

    The 2023 national goal for Give FFA Day was $500,000. In total, the 24 hours of support far exceeded that goal, raising $721,506 on February 23 alone – that’s nearly $1 for each member of FFA.

    About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions Division       

    Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population while reducing environmental impacts. Working with partners and agricultural experts and by integrating sustainability criteria into all business decisions, we help farmers to create a positive impact on sustainable agriculture. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline, connecting innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Our portfolio comprises seeds and specifically selected plant traits, chemical and biological crop protection, solutions for soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we strive to find the right balance for success – for farmers, agriculture and future generations. In 2022, our division generated sales of €10.3 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

    About National FFA Organization
    The National FFA Organization is a school-based national youth leadership development organization of more than 850,000 student members as part of 8,995 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

  • BASF Files Motion to Intervene in Ninth Circuit Case that Vacated Dicamba Registrations

    BASF has filed an emergency motion to intervene following the decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to vacate the federal registrations of three dicamba-based herbicides, including BASF’s Engenia® herbicide. The Court’s June 3, 2020 decision brought BASF’s product into the case for the first time. BASF has now made the request to intervene after careful consideration of the sudden and severe financial impact vacating the registration has had on farmers during this critical application time, when farmers now have less than a month to protect millions of acres under threat from resistant weeds. The Ninth Circuit’s decision has caused immediate chaos among the agricultural community and threatens the livelihood of countless U.S. farmers. Seeking to make matters worse, the challengers have now asked the Ninth Circuit to undo the EPA’s order which implemented the panel’s decision and addressed the uncertainty it caused. BASF must act to protect its interests and those of its customers.

    “Taking this action during the height of the application season gives no regard to the significant investments farmers have made in their businesses and leaves them without viable options for the growing season,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF Agricultural Solutions North America. “Farming is difficult even in the best of times and remains challenging. Making this decision now, when weed resistance continues to threaten farming operations, is disastrous for our customers. Farmers have counted on applications of dicamba-based products to control troublesome weeds for decades, and they continue to need these tools now and in the future.”

    Since its original registration with the EPA in 2016, on-target applications of Engenia herbicide have helped farmers produce clean fields and robust yields of dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. And because of BASF’s commitment to stewardship, the company provides customers with a range of practices, equipment, and trainings to make sure they have the tools to get the most out of BASF products, while protecting the environment.

    “I have been using Engenia for three years, and it is a critical part of my operation to reduce the threat of resistant weeds and ensure a successful yield each season,” said Brad Kallenbach, a soybean farmer from Jamestown, North Dakota. “My livelihood depends on tools like Engenia to tackle these challenges, and those of us that use it have dedicated a tremendous amount of time to ensure that we are doing it responsibly. The Court’s decision to vacate the Engenia registration leaves me with no good options for this year. It’s a steep cost that no grower under these circumstances was ready to bear.”

    The EPA’s approval process for crop protection products is science-based and data-driven. BASF invests in and uses the best science and testing protocols to develop next-generation innovations like Engenia herbicide. BASF scientists have over 50 years of experience in developing and improving dicamba for effective and safe applications.

    “Engenia and other dicamba-based herbicides are critical in ensuring the long-term sustainability of agriculture and crop protection products,” continued Rea. “Not only do they play a role in protecting crops, but also in ensuring an abundant, safe and affordable food supply. Continued innovation in crop protection and weed management must continue and be supported to sustain this industry.”

    BASF remains committed to meeting the needs of its customers and will continue to work on new dicamba-based innovations to assist farmers with weed control. In addition, BASF will also continue to pursue EPA re-registration of Engenia for the coming seasons.

    Engenia herbicide is a U.S. EPA Restricted Use Pesticide.

     Always read and follow label directions.

  • BASF Corrects Misconceptions about Ag & Engages in Community Education

    In today’s fast paced urban society, there is a serious disconnect between consumers and the source of their food.  There is so much public misinformation and misconceptions about agriculture, that it has become more critical for farmers to reach out side of their comfort zone and communities to share the truth about what they do out in the field.  International Ag chemical Corporation, BASF has joined farmers with efforts of their own in educating the public about agriculture, as shared in this brief video with BASF representative Paul Rea.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support by visiting them at their booth at Malcolm Media’s Annual Agricultural Expos next month.

  • BASF Launches Operation Weed Eradication to Help Growers Eradicate Weeds

    BASF launched a new industry-wide initiative to eliminate on-farm weeds. Operation Weed Eradication calls on growers and partners to take action against troublesome weeds in their fields, through cultural practices, chemical control and enhanced diligence.

    Research by Stratus Ag shows that nearly 75 percent of growers nationwide are dealing with glyphosate-resistant weeds in their fields and today’s management practices are not sustainable for long-term control of problem weeds such as pigweed.

    “Our approach to on-farm eradication will uproot problem weeds and help secure a sustainable farming future that builds a successful legacy for seasons and generations to come,” said Scott Kay, Vice President U.S. Crop, BASF Agricultural Solutions. “Weed eradication will be a personalized, tailored journey for each grower with different start and end points. BASF will support growers with expertise and continuous innovation to support this journey.”

    Operation Weed Eradication takes a balanced approach of utilizing cultural practices such as conventional tillage, chemical control such as rotating chemistries, and eradication diligence such as hand weeding to help growers eradicating troublesome on-farm weeds.

    In the coming months, BASF will assemble a coalition of industry leaders, develop a specific eradication customer offering and launch an educational initiative to support its efforts with Operation Weed Eradication.To learn more, please visit

    OperationWeedEradication.com.