Calgary, AB (May 19, 2020) – Today the Crop Science Division of Bayer announced the registration of BUTEO^® start, an insecticide seed treatment for canola that provides superior protection against striped and crucifer flea beetles. BUTEO start’s immediate and sustainable power leads to outstanding plant resilience in areas of high flea beetle pressure.

“Flea beetles thrive in dry conditions when plants are struggling to grow, and this can cause major economic damage for canola growers, with yield losses reaching up to 10%*,” says Andrew Chisholm, Trait and Trait Launch Manager, Bayer Crop Science. “With BUTEO start, growers can have peace of mind that their crop is protected from day one, so the plant can establish earlier and stronger.”

A powerful Group 4D insecticide (flupyradifurone), BUTEO start offers immediate and effective flea beetle protection to help reduce the need for in-crop rescue treatments. It works in conjunction with industry standard base seed treatments and can also be paired with cutworm treatments to allow for targeted pest control. Its systemic translocation from cotyledon to leaf margins reduces the potential for leaf matter damage and enables a quicker-growing canopy.

“With BUTEO start, growers have one less thing to worry about during a busy planting season,” says Chisholm. “They can be confident that their canola is protected against early flea beetle pressure, enhancing the potential for stronger plant emergence and yield stand.”

Many areas of Western Canada reported heavy flea beetle damage in 2019. BUTEO start is designed to support Western canola growers, with performance backed by Bayer scientists. Recent local trials demonstrated exceptional control against high levels of flea beetle concentration including the novel striped flea beetle that is prevalent across the Canadian prairies.

More information on BUTEO start will be available shortly at CropScience.Bayer.ca. Growers are encouraged to talk to their Bayer representative to learn more.

* Source: Knodel, J.J. and Olson, D.L., 2002. Crucifer-flea beetle: biology and integrated pest management in canola. North Dakota State Univ. Coop. Ext. Serv. Publ. E1234. North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND

Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Bayer^®, Bayer Cross and BUTEO^® start are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. ©2020 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to benefit people by supporting efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development, and the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2019, the Group employed around 104,000 people and had sales of 43.5 billion euros. Capital expenditures amounted to 2.9 billion euros, R&D expenses to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.ca.

For further information, contact:

Andrew Chisholm
Trait & Trait Launch Manager
Bayer CropScience Inc.
Phone: 306-550-9360
andrew.chisholm@bayer.com

Hibaq Ali
Senior Manager
Weber Shandwick Canada
Phone: 416-455-8326
hali@webershandwick.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.