Intacta RR2-PRO™-Soybeans Lead to Positive Environmental Impacts in South America

November 16, 2018 /3BL Media/ - Results from a five-year peer-reviewed study on Intacta RR2 PRO™ soybeans planted in South America were recently published, indicating that this technology from Bayer helps farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overall environmental impact.

Since 2013, farmers planted 73.6 million hectares (~182 million acres) of Intacta RR2 PRO soybeans across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Through more efficient use of herbicides and insecticides, farmers have been able to adopt more sustainable practices like reduced- and no–till farming. This has lowered fossil fuel use and facilitated more carbon being retained in the soil, resulting in a 6.8-billion-kilogram reduction in carbon emissions, equivalent to removing 3.3 million family cars from the road.

“This study shows that with modern agriculture innovations like Intacta soybean technology, farmers can grow more without having to use additional land,” said Mark Kidnie, South American Corn & Soy Technology Lead for the Crop Science Division of Bayer. “By growing Intacta soybeans, farmers spend less time in the tractor applying crop protection products or tilling their fields, resulting in important environmental benefits.”

In total, the study saw a 30.6 percent reduction in environmental impact, thanks to a 10.4-million-kilogram reduction in insecticide and herbicide usage, as measured by the globally recognized Environmental Impact Quotient. That reduction also contributed to the conservation of more than 200 million liters of water, the equivalent of 80 Olympic-size swimming pools.

In addition, second-generation insect-protected soybeans will provide protection against an expanded spectrum of insect pests including armyworm and podworm, enabling further efficient use of herbicides and insecticides.

These findings come at a time where Bayer, having successfully acquired Monsanto earlier this year, recently reiterated its commitment to sustainability and food security. Technologies like Intacta RR2 PRO soybeans are giving farmers around the world a chance to help ensure a safe and sustainable supply of food now and in the future. More information on the sustainability strategy of Bayer can be found in their 2017 Annual Report.