Advancing Sustainable Agriculture through Demonstration, Dialog and Partnerships
In partnership with representative, independent farmers around the world, Bayer has created Bayer ForwardFarming putting innovative sustainable agriculture practices into action. By showcasing integrated crop solutions, proactive stewardship and leveraging important partnerships, the initiative aims to increase the exchange of agricultural know-how, incite dialog, and highlight the benefits of innovation in sustainable agriculture.
What is a Bayer ForwardFarm?
Bayer ForwardFarms are independent farms that are representative of the region in which they are located. They are proactive in identifying sustainable agriculture practices and serve as a hub for exchange of ideas and insights that can be implemented locally, and globally. These farms benefit from partnerships, like the one they have with Bayer, to support their business, produce high-quality food, feed, and renewable raw materials, while at the same time preserving farmland and natural resources such as water, soil and biodiversity.
Three Basic Components
Sustainable Agriculture In Practice
Integrated Crop Solutions
High-quality seeds and crop protection products (chemical and biological) protect the yield and quality of the agricultural produce. These solutions are backed by customized services ranging from agronomic support, field demonstrations, diagnostics and prediction tools to documentation.
Proactive Stewardship
Ensures product integrity, protects human health and preserves the environment. We offer farmers, retailers and distributors training to raise standards in the handling and usage of crop protection products as well as to minimize any potential risks to human health and the environment.
Partnerships
Enhance the quality of life for farmers, communities and society. Mutually beneficial partnerships include all players in the value chain as well as the public sector and help leverage the potential for collaboration.
Key components of sustainable agriculture
The Bayer ForwardFarming Network
Learn More About Our Farms
Netherlands
Het Groene Hart
SEEDS
Good and certified seed is essential for a good yield.
BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
Integrated program aimed at sustainable seed and planting treatment and application technology.
CROP PROTECTION
Combined use of chemical and biological crop protection products for a sustainable production of healthy food.
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Sustainable and efficient use of crop protection products with very targeted dosing.
DECISION SUPPORTING SYSTEMS
Integrated information about weather conditions and disease and pest warnings in order to use crop protection at the optimum time.
BIODIVERSITY
The added value of biodiversity for farmers, the environment and society.
PERSONAL PROTECTION
Protecting the user of crop protection products with technology such as easyFlow and Bayer DressCode.
EASYFLOW
Avoiding exposure of the user and the environment to concentrated products by using a closed transfer system during the filling of the sprayer.
BEE HEALTH
Supporting bee health through pest control, enhancement of biodiversity and careful use of crop protection products.
FARMYARD EMISSION
Prevent emission from the farmyard, with techniques like a dedicated cleaning place combined with a Phytobac®.
PREVENTING RUN-OFF EMISSIONS
Prevent run off of applied crop protection products and fertilizers to surface water by plot design and special cultivation techniques.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming is a platform where partners work together to optimize agricultural practices.
Germany
Damianshof
SEEDS
High-quality, certified seeds are the basis for good yields.
BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
The fully integrated and holistic system allows seed to develop to its full potential.
CROP PROTECTION
The use of checmical crop protection products protects the plant sustainably.
WEATHER STATION
Accurate monitoring of temperature, rainfall and leaf surface wetness as a basis for integrated crop protection.
SEPTORIA TIMER
Determining the right application time for controlling Septoria infection.
PRECISION FARMING
GPS-controlled application optimizes the use of crop protection products and fertilizers.
SOIL EROSION
Implementation of measures such as micro-dams to avoid erosion and protect the soil.
PHYTOBAC®
A biological system for dealing with liquid waste resulting from crop protection operations.
FLOWER STRIPS
The combination of annual and perennial flower strips offers food for insects as well as protection for birds and other animals.
BEE HOTEL
Promotion of nesting places for wild bees, bumblebees and beetles.
SKYLARK PLOTS
Small, non-cropped areas serve as "landing areas" and support nest-building.
PARTNERSHIPS
Continuously meet the challenge of sustainable agriculture together with partners.
Belgium
Hof ten Bosch
SEEDS
For good yields, you need high-quality certified seeds, which also ensure product integrity.
CHEMICALS AND BIOLOGICALS
Chemical and biological crop protection products combine to tackle the challenges of sustainable agriculture.
BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
The fully integrated and comprehensive system for on-seed application helps seeds to thrive and boosts yields.
SERVICE PRECISION FARMING
Automated precision is the key to efficient farming and sustainably feeding the growing global population.
WEATHER STATION
Monitoring leaf moisture, relative humidity, temperature and solar radiation to optimize spraying schedules.
LOW-DRIFT NOZZLES
Minimizes the effect of crop protection practices on neighboring crops and pollinators.
EASYFLOW
A closed transfer system for liquid crop protection products that avoids spills and facilities filling and cleaning.
FLOWER STRIPS
Flowers and pollen from January to October ensure greater biodiversity and food for beneficials and pollinators.
PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system that ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
Operator protection is continuously optimized through risk assessment, training and new infrastructure.
BEE HOTEL
Wild bees and other pollinators enjoy this safe haven for nesting purposes and protection from bad weather.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming unites the competencies of mutually beneficial partnerships in a single wholistic system.
France
Chateau Lamothe
GRAPE VARIETY
Choosing the right grape variety and rootstock as the basis for the quality of the wine.
TARGETED WEED CONTROL
Herbicides are targeted via band application close to the foot of the vines. This leaves vegetation between rows, limiting run-off and preserving habitat for biodiversity.
DISEASE CONTROL - MILDEW AND BOTRYTIS
Chemical and biological crop protection products are combined to protect the vine from disease and manage resistence.
SOIL ANALYSIS
Regular soil analysis allows optimal organic and mineral fertilization to preserve soil characteristics.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Weather and mildew prediction models ensure the best-possible application timing.
APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY
Jointly with our partner Berthoud, tests are carried out, the equipment is callibrated correctly and the application optimized.
BEEKEEPING PARTNERSHIP
The beekeeper and the farmer have signed a Charter of Commitment for Good Agricultural and Beekeeping Pratices for the hives that are welcomed each spring.
BIODIVERSITY
Implementing a variety of supporting measures to protect flora, birds, beetles and earthworms.
BEE HOTEL
Wild bees and other pollinators enjoy this safe haven for nesting and protection from bad weather.
HUMAN PROTECTION
Operator protection is continuously optimized through risk assessment, training and new infrastructure.
PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system that ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming unites the skills and expertise of different partners for continuous improvement.
Italy
Azienda Agricola Moranda
INTEGRATED CROP PROTECTION SOLUTIONS
Integrating chemical and biological crop protection products in a sustainable manner with modern farming techniques to protect the vineyards from adversity.
FUNGAL DISEASE MONITORING
Advance knowledge of fungal disease development in the grapevines through a decision support system ensures appropriate and timely intervention.
PEST MONITORING
Smart digital traps provide real-time data on the population dynamics of insects harmful to the vines and enable intervention only when needed.
WEATHER MONITORING
A weather station supplies real-time information on changes in weather and soil moisture enabling optimal irrigation and correct crop protection product use.
OPERATOR SAFETY
Maximizing user safety throughout all stages of crop production, product application and storage with personal protective equipment and services.
SAFE TRANSFER OF CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS
Tools such as easyFlow™, a closed-transfer system, ensure operational efficiency and safety for the operator and the environment.
APPLICATION OF CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS
Effective treatment of crops through proper distribution of crop protection products on the plant.
BIODEGRADATION OF CROP PROTECTION PRODUCTS
To avoid run-off of crop protection into the environment, tools like the Phytobac® system collect water used for cleaning equipment and break down residues naturally by micro-organisms.
PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY
Fostering the coexistence of different species of animals and plants through the implementation of activities aimed at preserving natural habitat.
BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
Regular monitoring of biodiversity status on the farm through the Biodiversity Friend® certification.
PROTECTING BEES
Encouraging the presence of bees on the farm by taking measures that foster food availability and living space.
PARTNERSHIPS
Bringing together the skillsets and expertise to demonstrate successful and modern sustainable farming.
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