Strong interest in 2011 Clearfield^® Canola Challenge

Australia, Wednesday 13 April, 2011- The Clearfield^® Canola Yield Challenge is on again – and it’s bigger than ever.

 This year – the third time the competition has been run – growers from each canola‐growing state will vie for championship honours and the chance of an overseas study tour.

Last year, about 30 canola growers from Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria grew Clearfield canola side‐by‐side in the same paddock as triazine‐tolerant (TT) canola.

The exercise gave them the opportunity to compare canola systems on their own farms. Each crop was judged on attributes such as yield, oil, weed control, crop rotation, sustainability of herbicide use and gross margin difference between the systems.

On average, the Clearfield hybrids grown by the three state winners produced a lift in yield of nearly 30 per cent over TT varieties and. Oil content was, on average, more than 1 per cent better.

Seed and herbicide matched

BASF’s Clearfield system is based on a combination of carefully bred hybrid seed and the matching patented herbicide, Intervix.

The outstanding yields and excellent weed control achieved by the Challenge participants were the result of both components of the system working together.

Varieties with Clearfield technology are naturally bred to provide complete tolerance to Intervix allowing post-emergent, single pass weed control.

Several Challenge participants commented on the flexibility of using Intervix. It had allowed them to spray early in the season when weeds were small, while its residual effect had continued to provide control over the growing season.

Trevor Gillespie from BASF said that Intervix had proven to be a very effective herbicide. "But it's important to recognise that the Clearfield system is based on components that are designed to work together.

"The technology is about matching the vigour and tolerance of the varieties with the specific qualities of the herbicide. They are meant to work hand in glove, and that's how these growers are achieving such great results," he said.

Intervix is absorbed through the leaves, green stems and roots of susceptible weeds and moved from the point of contact throughout the plant.

Symptoms may take one to two weeks to develop and first appear at the growing points where young foliage becomes discoloured and distorted before dying.

Mr Gillespie said there had been keen interest in this year's Challenge and he was expecting an increased number of participants.

"Some crops are going in already."

Winners from the 2010 season will travel to Canada in August to study its canola industry.

For more information and results from the 2010 Clearfield Canola Challenge click here

About the Crop Protection division

With sales of 4.0 billion in 2010, 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.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com. Visit us on asiapacific.basf.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Slideshare and LinkedIn.