Agricultural News
Farmers Using Technology to Feed Growing Population in Safe, Sustainable Way- Bayer's Jim Blome
Wed, 25 Feb 2015 05:16:19 CST
The challenge for farmers involved in modern production agriculture is to overcome the misinformation and distrust that seems to dominate the thinking of consumers across the United States. Jim Blome, CEO of Bayer Crop Science LP, told participants at the 10th annual Ag Issues Forum on Tuesday that a recent survey shows that 94% of consumers have no direct connection to production agriculture and that leaves the door wide open to consumers hearing bad information on the internet about how food is produced and believing it.
In an illustration that has been told by others, Blome mentioned there are many consumers who have no problem standing in line all day waiting for a chance to buy the latest iPhone, but demand that their food should be produced by a farmer with a team of mules.
To feed a growing population, Blome contends that farmers need all of the technology we have today and a lot more in the days ahead. He adds that Bayer is engaged in trying to find those new ideas in crop production that will allow producers to succeed in raising safe and sustainable crops, investing a billion dollars annually in their research and development efforts. He told Farm Director Ron Hays in a conversation after his presentation to the Ag Issues Forum that Bayer will be launching five new technologies this year to help farmers- and plan to roll out as many as 30 new innovations by the year 2022.
According to Blome, the buzzword right now is drought management- Bayer is working in the area of new hybrids and new traits to help raise a crop with limited water resources. He adds that they continue to work on resistance management where weeds have developed resistance to crop protection chemicals. His message to farmers- "we bring sound science to the farm."
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear the full conversation between Ron Hays and CEO Jim Blome. Blome's full presentation at the Ag Issues Forum is available here.
(photo courtesy Agwired)
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