ForwardFarming: Demonstrating Sustainable Agriculture in Practice
Bayer ForwardFarming is a knowledge platform that demonstrates sustainable agriculture in practice.
In partnership with independent farmers, the initiative creates opportunities for demonstration, dialogue and collaboration on farms around the world. Tailored solutions, proactive stewardship measures, and partnerships are implemented to show how modern agriculture can go hand in hand with environmental and social responsibility.
Bayer ForwardFarming – Demonstrating Sustainable Agriculture in Practice
1:50 min
What is a Bayer ForwardFarm?
ForwardFarms are independent farms that are representative of the region in which they are located. The farmers proactively seek improvements in sustainable agriculture practices. The farms serve as a hub for exchange of ideas and insights that can be implemented locally, and globally.
These farms benefit from partnerships with both the public and private sector 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.
Explore the Bayer ForwardFarming network below to learn more!
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to sustainable farming. Together with independent farmers, Bayer ForwardFarming demonstrates the importance of seeds and traits, crop protection, digital tools and related services to increase yield by making the best use of all resources, while preserving the environment.
Seeds & Traits
Selection of high-quality, certified seeds is essential for a good yield. Treatments help protect seeds against diseases and pests. SeedGrowth™ is an example of an integrated system – providing products, coatings, equipment and services – that encourages optimal seed development through on-seed applications. Learn more here.
Crop Protection Products
Chemical and biological crop protection products combine to protect against weeds, pests and diseases. Decision support tools as mentioned above help to optimize the timing of applications and help apply only as much as is truly needed.
Digital Tools & Services
From advanced weather monitoring to satellite remote sensing, digital technology enables farmers to take advantage of the data at their fingertips.
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Proactive Stewardship
ForwardFarming promotes and demonstrates proactive stewardship to protect human health and preserve the environment. Examples include addressing the safe and responsible use of crop protection products, preserving soil, biodiversity and water, as well as offering training in all of these areas.
Safe Use of Crop Protection Products
Ensuring the responsible handling and application of products is an essential part of farming safety. ForwardFarming serves as a demonstration and knowledge exchange platform for farmers and other stakeholders to share, learn and adopt best practices to keep themselves safe and continue to produce healthy food.
For farmer support, Bayer provides an online tool called BAYER DRESSCODE with information about personal protection. Bayer has also developed a new closed system device called easyFlow®. This device allows operators to measure and translocate crop protection products without being exposed to them.
Enhancement of Natural Habitat
On each farm, coexistence with the natural surroundings is important not only for the environment, but for the health of the crops. Depending on the local habitat and species, farms implement diverse features including:
Mixed plant hedges act as a windshield for fruit crops and help prevent spray drift.
Flowering strips and mixed hedges ensure that bees, wild pollinators and other beneficial insects have food and shelter throughout the year when active.
Nesting boxes are provided for small birds and resting places for predatory birds.
Insect hotels provide habitat and encourage activity, especially by wild pollinators.
Open plots allow skylarks to land and build their nests in the surrounding fields.
Water Protection and Conservation
Water is one of our most valuable resources. Regardless of the activity, using and preserving water in a responsible manner is in the farmer’s and the environment’s best interest.
One example is the Phytobac™ system used on Bayer ForwardFarms to ensure safe disposal and cleaning of wastewater. Residue water collected from a designated cleaning area is distributed slowly over a basin filled with a soil and straw mixture. Microorganisms in the soil remove chemical residue, and the clean water evaporates. Learn more about this technology here.
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Partnerships
Bayer ForwardFarming partners with food and value chain participants, research centers and universities, and industry leaders to create space for dialogue and demonstration – connecting farmers with the communities around them and beyond.
Just a few examples of partnerships established by current ForwardFarms include:
University of Ghent (Belgium)
National Corn Growers Association Soil Health Partnership (USA)
Hof ten Bosch
Hof ten Bosch, located in Huldenberg region near Brussels, Belgium, farms potatoes, wheat, sugar beet, corn, apples and pears on 148 hectares.
Use of high quality seed with
appropriate traits and seed treatments to combat pests and disease and ensure healthy plant growth
and optimum yield.
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Soil Health
No-till farming is used in
conjunction with other conservation practices to increase water infiltration, sequester carbon, and
maintain organic matter for soil fertility.
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Cover Crops
Cover crops are used to
improve soil health, prevent erosion, reduce pollution and improve water quality in the surrounding
areas.
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Precision Agriculture
GPS-guided technology
optimizes the use of fuel and inputs, while reducing run times and waste, to promote healthier
surroundings.
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Integrated Pest
Management (IPM)
Environmentally-sensitive and
economically-viable approach to the management of insects, weeds, diseases and nematodes.
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Renewable Resources
A solar site powers all of the
on-farm facilities, including an irrigation pivot and the entire grain system, reducing the farm’s
dependency on non-renewable fuels.
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Energy Efficient Systems
State-of-the-art grain dryers
are solar-powered and designed to be energy efficient.
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Product Storage &
Handling
Proper product storage and
disposal, label adherence and the use of personal protective equipment are critical to the farm’s
proactive stewardship efforts.
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Environmental
Conservation
Buffer zones and dedicated
conservation areas ensure preservation of the surrounding Chesapeake Bay.
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Habitat Enhancement
Pollinator strips, milkweed
preservation and cover crops provide critical forage and habitat for wildlife.
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Collaborations
Leveraging skills and
expertise from the community and organizations across the nation ensures smart farming that is
ecologically aware and sustainable.
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Collaborations
There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to sustainable farming.
Click on the numbers on the farm and find out more on specific sustainable agriculture activities.
La Hornilla - Fundo Santa Inés
Chile
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Integrated Crop
Protection Solutions
Integrating phytosanitary
products in a sustainable way with modern agricultural techniques.
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Insect Pest Monitoring
Continuous pest monitoring
allows accurate applications and only when necessary.
3
Weed Monitoring
Permanent resistance
monitoring of weeds, in order to implement control programs to avoid buildup of resistant weeds.
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Efficiency in
Agricultural Tasks
Platforms to facilitate and
improve thinning, pruning and harvesting, ensuring greater efficiency and safety in agricultural
tasks.
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Weather and Irrigation
Monitoring
Real-time information on
weather conditions assists in achieving the correct use of crop protection products and optimal
irrigation.
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Satellite monitoring
The satellite photographic
spectrophotometric information helps determine orchard health throughout the season.
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Operator Safety
Maximizing user safety in all
crop protection tasks through personal protective equipment and training.
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Targeted Applications
Efficient product application
with electrostatic machines, which achieve better coverage, use less water, cause less drift and
increase user safety.
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Water Protection
Phytobac®: Sustainable
management of wastewater from cleaning equipment in a closed system that biologically breaks down
crop protection product residues. Learn more here.
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Preserving Biodiversity
Planting of flower strips for
feeding and proliferation of pollinators and other beneficial organisims.
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Healthy Hives for
Pollination
Demonstrating good
hive-management practices for healthy bees, ensuring optimal pollination services to the farm.
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Collaborations
There is no one size fits all solution when it comes to sustainable farming.
Click on the numbers on the farm and find out more on specific sustainable agriculture activities.
Agrícola Testa
Argentina
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Quality Seeds - The
Foundation of Productivity
Selection of high quality
seeds adapted to the geographic and climatic conditions of the region to ensure quality yields.
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Fertilization Assuring
Quality Harvest
Conducting regular soil
analysis to optimize organic and mineral fertilization, thereby preserving soil fertility for
optimal productivity.
3
Weather Monitoring
Up-to-date weather monitoring
and prognostics not only allow the optimization of many farming tasks, but also support monitoring
of disease and insect pests to optimize control.
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Weed, Disease and Insect
Pest Monitoring
Regular scouting activities to
monitor weed, disease and insect pest pressure support a comprehensive crop care and control
program.
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Precision Farming
Modern machinery and
information from digital farming equipment allow improved resource management, on-farm
decision-making and execution.
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Integrated Crop
Protection Solutions
Integrating agronomic
techniques with chemical and biological protection products allows production of healthy grains
which benefit both consumer and the environment.
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Operator Safety
Maximizing user safety in all
crop protection tasks through personal protective equipment and training.
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Water Protection
Water used to clean
application equipment is collected and crop protection residues are broken down naturally to avoid
runoff into the environment. Learn more about the micro-organisms at work in the Phtobac® system here.
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Bee Hotel and Supporting
Biodiversity
The installation of bee hotels
and planting of flower strips improve the habitat for feeding and proliferation of pollinators and
other beneficial organisms.
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Training
Education and training are
fundamental in any profession. “I Apply Responsibly” is a training program that focuses on the
importance of appropriate use of crop protection products.
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Cooperation &
Dialogue
Advancing sustainable
agriculture is not a challenge for a single group, but for all those who make up the sector. The
farmer, and Bayer, regularly seek opportunities for cooperation and dialogue.
Nossa Senhora Aparecida Farm
Brazil
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Seeds
Creating value by using
high-quality seeds and technologies that support the farmer to sustainably increase productivity and
profitability.
2
Soil Fertility
Improving soil fertility by
optimizing crop rotation practices to achieve high, sustainable productivity.
3
Integrated Weed
Management
Identification and mapping of
weeds and implementation of integrated weed management programs to limit proliferation.
4
Integrated Disease &
Pest Management
Implementation of techniques
to monitor disease and pest infestation and make cropping recommendations to optimize the
sustainable use of crop protection products.
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Nematode Monitoring and
Control
Mapping of nematode
infestation and crop damage to inform recommendation of integrated chemical and biological control
to avoid productivity loss.
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Precision Agriculture
Use of machines and tools to
optimize farming tasks and farming inputs.
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Erosion Control
Drainage basins along the road
are used to capture water run-off to fill the groundwater aquifer, preventing erosion and avoiding
pollution of lakes and reservoirs with eroded soil.
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Good Agricultural
Practice
Trainings aim to help the
farmer apply agricultural products in a responsible manner, protecting people, preserving the
environment and improving crop yield.
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Valore Program
Farm certification program
specifying production processes that follow legislation to ensure production of safe food, adding
value to the value chain and competitiveness of the Brazilian farmer.
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Pollinator Care
Preservation of pollinators on
the farm with conservation measures and harmonic coexistence between farming and beekeeping.
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Partnerships
Bayer ForwardFarming combines
knowledge, experience, skills and new technologies with partners to grow the farming business
successfully and sustainably.
Earl des Bruyères
France
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WEATHER MONITORING
Assessing leaf moisture,
relative humidity, temperature, and windspeed to optimize farm management.
2
PRECISION FARMING
Improving efficiency of
applications by using cutting-edge sprayers with GPS and low-drift nozzles.
3
IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT
Optimizing irrigation by using
control tools such as tensiometricprobes.
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FERTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Fulfilling the nutrient needs
of crops through fertilizer management software such as Farmstar® and Airinov's drone.
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SOIL ANALYSIS
Conducting regular soil
analysis to optimize organic and mineral fertilization, thereby preserving soil characteristics.
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SOWING PRACTICES
Implementing best practices in
sowing to minimize the risk of wildlife exposure to treated seeds.
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PROTECTING POLLINATORS
Welcoming bee hives each
Spring and abiding by a charter of commitment for good agricultural and bee-keeping practices.
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BIODIVERSITY
Taking inventory of and
monitoring wildlife, such as birds, earthworms and beneficial insects, and taking measures to
protect biodiversity, including planting hedges.
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PROTECTED SPECIES
Respecting good agricultural
practices that protect the local bird species, Oedicnème Criard, nesting in the farm's corn.
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USER SAFETY
Partnering with Bayer to
optimize personal protective clothing during crop protection product application and storage to
maximize safety and comfort.
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WASTE-WATER MANAGEMENT
Designing a filling and
rinsing station as well as installing the Phytobac® bioremediation system that ensures optimal
on-farm wastewater management.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bringing together experts and
community members to foster dialogue on modern, sustainable farming.
Ferme de Bulas
France
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PRECISION FARMING
GPS-guided work tasks (sowing,
spraying, fertilizing, harvesting) to optimize use of fuel and inputs.
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RATIONAL CROP PROTECTION
APPLICATIONS
In cereals, fungicide
applications are made with the help of an advisors supported by a decision-making tool called
Positif® from Bayer.
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INNOVATIVE APPLICATION
TECHNIQUES
Sprayers equipped with drift
control and automatic boom section control.
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FERTILIZATION MANAGEMENT
Optimized nitrogen application
taking into account evaluations made with the decision making support tool Farmstar® provided by the
cooperative Axereal.
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INTEGRATED WEED
MANAGEMENT
Adjusted weed management
program and extended crop rotation (integration of pea protein) in the areas with resistant black
grass.
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GOOD SOWING PRACTICES
Implement measures to limit
the presence of grain on the soil surface which coud be eaten by wild animals when sowing.
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FARMING AND BEEKEEPING
The farmer and beekeeper
signed a beekeeping and farming best practices charter to protect bees on the farm.
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BIODIVERSITY
Monitoring of biodiversity
such as flora, birds, worms, pollinators, beetles, etc. Hedges and strips of corn were integrated
into the fields to benefit wildlife.
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SAFE PRODUCT STORAGE AND
HANDLING
Modernization of the product
storage and sprayer filling area to improve working conditions and safety of the workers and
environment.
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PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system
ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
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TRACEABILITY OF
APPLICATIONS
Testing of Keyfield automatic
traceability system.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming builds on
existing partnerships to leverage expertise and skills.
AGRO-FARM Nauen GmbH
Germany
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SEEDS
High-quality, certified seeds
are the basis for a high yield.
2
CROP PROTECTION
Combined use of chemical and
biological crop protection products to promote sustainable production.
3
DIGITAL FARMING
Digital measures support
efficient use of crop protection products depending on each field's needs.
4
EASYFLOW®
Implementation of a closed
transfer system for liquid crop protection products that prevents spills for easier filling and
cleaning.
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DROPLEGUL
A spray nozzle design that
minimizes the effect of crop protection practices on the surrounding environment.
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FLOWERING AREAS
Planting flowers and other
beneficial plants in strategic locations to protect flora, birds, beetles, and earthworms.
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PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system that
ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
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SKYLARK PLOTS
Small, non-cropped areas serve
as „landing areas“ for skylarks, supporting nest-building for the beneficial bird
species.
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BEE HOTEL
Wild bees and other
pollinators enjoy a safe haven for nesting and protection from bad weather.
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NESTING AIDS FOR BIRDS
Secure places for birds that
nest in caves or cavities ensure safe conditions to rear their young.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY
Wind turbines, solar panels,
and a biogas plant offer an alternative income while using natural resources in a sustainable
manner.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming brings
together competencies of mutually beneficial partnerships to demonstrate successful and modern
sustainable agriculture.
Het Groene Hart
Netherlands
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SEEDS
Good and certified seed is
essential for a good yield.
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BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
Integrated program aimed at
sustainable seed and planting treatment and application technology.
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CROP PROTECTION
Combined use of chemical and
biological crop protection products for a sustainable production of healthy food.
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PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Sustainable and efficient use
of crop protection products with very targeted dosing.
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DECISION SUPPORTING
SYSTEMS
Integrated information about
weather conditions and disease and pest warnings in order to use crop protection at the optimum
time.
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BIODIVERSITY
The added value of
biodiversity for farmers, the environment and society.
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PERSONAL PROTECTION
Protecting the user of crop
protection products with technology such as easyFlow and Bayer DressCode.
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EASYFLOW
Avoiding exposure of the user
and the environment to concentrated products by using a closed transfer system during the filling of
the sprayer.
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BEE HEALTH
Supporting bee health through
pest control, enhancement of biodiversity and careful use of crop protection products.
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FARMYARD EMISSION
Prevent emission from the
farmyard, with techniques like a dedicated cleaning place combined with a Phytobac®.
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PREVENTING RUN-OFF
EMISSIONS
Prevent run off of applied
crop protection products and fertilizers to surface water by plot design and special cultivation
techniques.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming is a
platform where partners work together to optimize agricultural practices.
Damianshof
Germany
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SEEDS
High-quality, certified seeds
are the basis for good yields.
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BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
The fully integrated and
holistic system allows seed to develop to its full potential.
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CROP PROTECTION
The use of checmical crop
protection products protects the plant sustainably.
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WEATHER STATION
Accurate monitoring of
temperature, rainfall and leaf surface wetness as a basis for integrated crop protection.
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SEPTORIA TIMER
Determining the right
application time for controlling Septoria infection.
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PRECISION FARMING
GPS-controlled application
optimizes the use of crop protection products and fertilizers.
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SOIL EROSION
Implementation of measures
such as micro-dams to avoid erosion and protect the soil.
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PHYTOBAC®
A biological system for
dealing with liquid waste resulting from crop protection operations.
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FLOWER STRIPS
The combination of annual and
perennial flower strips offers food for insects as well as protection for birds and other animals.
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BEE HOTEL
Promotion of nesting places
for wild bees, bumblebees and beetles.
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SKYLARK PLOTS
Small, non-cropped areas serve
as "landing areas" and support nest-building.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Continuously meet the
challenge of sustainable agriculture together with partners.
Hof ten Bosch
Belgium
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SEEDS
For good yields, you need
high-quality certified seeds, which also ensure product integrity.
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CHEMICALS AND
BIOLOGICALS
Chemical and biological crop
protection products combine to tackle the challenges of sustainable agriculture.
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BAYER SEEDGROWTH™
The fully integrated and
comprehensive system for on-seed application helps seeds to thrive and boosts yields.
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SERVICE PRECISION
FARMING
Automated precision is the key
to efficient farming and sustainably feeding the growing global population.
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WEATHER STATION
Monitoring leaf moisture,
relative humidity, temperature and solar radiation to optimize spraying schedules.
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LOW-DRIFT NOZZLES
Minimizes the effect of crop
protection practices on neighboring crops and pollinators.
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EASYFLOW
A closed transfer system for
liquid crop protection products that avoids spills and facilities filling and cleaning.
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FLOWER STRIPS
Flowers and pollen from
January to October ensure greater biodiversity and food for beneficials and pollinators.
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PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system that
ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
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PERSONAL PROTECTION
EQUIPMENT
Operator protection is
continuously optimized through risk assessment, training and new infrastructure.
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BEE HOTEL
Wild bees and other
pollinators enjoy this safe haven for nesting purposes and protection from bad weather.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming unites
the competencies of mutually beneficial partnerships in a single wholistic system.
Chateau Lamothe
France
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GRAPE VARIETY
Choosing the right grape
variety and rootstock as the basis for the quality of the wine.
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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.
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DISEASE CONTROL - MILDEW
AND BOTRYTIS
Chemical and biological crop
protection products are combined to protect the vine from disease and manage resistence.
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SOIL ANALYSIS
Regular soil analysis allows
optimal organic and mineral fertilization to preserve soil characteristics.
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DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Weather and mildew prediction
models ensure the best-possible application timing.
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APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY
Jointly with our partner
Berthoud, tests are carried out, the equipment is callibrated correctly and the application
optimized.
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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.
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BIODIVERSITY
Implementing a variety of
supporting measures to protect flora, birds, beetles and earthworms.
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BEE HOTEL
Wild bees and other
pollinators enjoy this safe haven for nesting and protection from bad weather.
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HUMAN PROTECTION
Operator protection is
continuously optimized through risk assessment, training and new infrastructure.
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PHYTOBAC®
The bioremediation system that
ensures optimal on-farm wastewater management.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bayer ForwardFarming unites
the skills and expertise of different partners for continuous improvement.
Azienda Agricola Moranda
Italy
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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.
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FUNGAL DISEASE
MONITORING
Advance knowledge of fungal
disease development in the grapevines through a decision support system ensures appropriate and
timely intervention.
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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.
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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.
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OPERATOR SAFETY
Maximizing user safety
throughout all stages of crop production, product application and storage with personal protective
equipment and services.
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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.
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APPLICATION OF CROP
PROTECTION PRODUCTS
Effective treatment of crops
through proper distribution of crop protection products on the plant.
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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.
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PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY
Fostering the coexistence of
different species of animals and plants through the implementation of activities aimed at preserving
natural habitat.
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BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
Regular monitoring of
biodiversity status on the farm through the Biodiversity Friend® certification.
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PROTECTING BEES
Encouraging the presence of
bees on the farm by taking measures that foster food availability and living space.
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PARTNERSHIPS
Bringing together the
skillsets and expertise to demonstrate successful and modern sustainable farming.
Independent farm and ForwardFarming partner Hof ten Bosch invites users around the world to virtually tour their sustainable farm
A Sustainable Reality in a Virtual World
Bayer ForwardFarming and Ghent University partnership allows farmers and scientists to put sustainable agricultural innovation into practice.
Moving Farming Forward
