Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
November 11, 2014

In its continuous effort to support horticulture growers, Bayer invited groups from across the country to tour its Bee Care Center and discuss solutions to honey bee health.

In celebration of Bayer CropScience’s more than 25-year commitment to bee health and continuous outreach to horticulture growers, the Company hosted an exclusive tour of the recently opened Bee Care Center and its other innovative technologies.

Representatives from several pollinator health- and horticulture-focused groups joined the Bayer team to discuss bee health research and regulatory toxicology as well as horticulture product innovations, such as Belt® and Sivanto™ (not yet registered).

The group was guided through the 6,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art Bee Care Center that brings together significant technological, scientific and academic resources to promote improved honey bee health, product stewardship and sustainable agriculture. Members of Bayer’s Bee Care Program discussed a wide range of topics impacting bee health including grower/beekeeper collaborations and the essential role bees play in horticulture crop yields.

“Honey bees are essential to modern agriculture, and our North American Bee Care Center will help facilitate the collaboration with partners and stakeholders needed to advance sustainable solutions,” said Rob Schrick, horticulture lead, Bayer CropScience. “Through engagements like this, Bayer is successfully fostering direct support of bee health throughout the West to help provide a more substantial and nutritious food supply for us all.”

Bayer has been actively involved in finding solutions to improve honey bee health through product innovation by furthering research, engagement and discussion and bringing Bayer’s extensive experience and knowledge in bee health and horticulture crops under one platform. These initiatives include:
 

• Bayer’s collaborative effort with Project Apis m. is aimed at showing growers how strategic fence row plantings can reduce the loss of irrigation water, better manage soil quality and weeds, and help support wildlife including nutrition for pollinators.
• The Bayer Bee Care Tour, a mobile exhibit, traveled to Western agriculture universities this spring to foster education and collaboration among growers, beekeepers, researchers and others to promote best stewardship practices and bee health.
• Bayer’s participation in National Pollinator Week continued to raise awareness about the importance of honey bees to agriculture through a reception on the Hill, employee contest, community leadership award and the planting of a pollinator-friendly garden at a Washington, D.C., school.

Bayer is dedicated to crop protection and is committed to environmental stewardship and sustainable agricultural practices, including the protection of beneficial insects, such as honey bees.

Bayer CropScience Twitter Page:
http://twitter.com/bayer4cropsus
http://twitter.com/bayerbeecare

Bayer CropScience Blog:
http://connect.bayercropscience.us

Bayer CropScience is committed to bringing new technology and solutions for agriculture and non-agricultural uses. For questions concerning the availability and use of products, contact a local Bayer CropScience representative, or visit Bayer CropScience online at www.bayercropscience.us.

Website: http://www.bayercropscience.us

Published: November 11, 2014