Bayer AG. (4/20/21). "Press Release: RAGT and Bayer Sign an Agreement to Develop Hybrid Wheat Seeds for European Markets". Rodez & Monheim.

	Region	Europe
	Organisation	Bayer CropScience AG
	Group	Bayer (Group)
	Product	wheat, GMO (seeds)
	Product 2	plant breeding
	Person	Reiter, Robert (Bob) (Monsanto 201111 VP + Global Lead of Biotechnology)

New partnership aims to provide farmers with new high-potential wheat varieties, enhancing sustainable agricultural practices

RAGT and Bayer have entered an exclusive collaboration to jointly develop state-of-the-art hybrid wheat varieties. The two companies, which seek to meet the evolving needs of farmers in Europe, will pool their strengths by combining Europe's leading soft wheat genetics with access to the latest breeding methodologies, high-performing seed production systems and advanced digital solutions.

Wheat is the most widely grown food crop in the world. In the European Union and the United Kingdom alone, more than 25 million hectares are under yearly cultivation. Wheat provides about 20 percent of the proteins consumed in the world. Securing the wheat harvests through hybrid wheat production systems that help increase yield and robustness of the crop will help meet the expected increase in food consumption to feed a growing world population.

Through a combination of Bayer’s leading position in wheat crop protection, expertise in seed production systems and its front-running digital solutions in agriculture, and RAGT’s, leading position as a cereal seed company in Europe with constant varietal seed innovations, both companies intend to advance the development of hybrid wheat technology and provide an innovative wheat growing system.

Collaboration objectives that support an evolving agriculture

“Hybrid wheat offers farmers the opportunity to meet the challenges of climate change while achieving higher productivity in sustainable cropping systems,” says Bob Reiter, Head of Research and Development at the Crop Science division of Bayer. “We are delighted to partner with RAGT to bring wheat farmers new solutions that support their efforts to produce a quality wheat crop.”

Bruno Tremblay, Regional head of Europe, Middle East and Africa for the Bayer Crop Science division confirms: “Our agreement with RAGT kicks off another exciting collaboration of two historical partners with the complimentary innovation and digital capabilities needed to unlock the potential of the agronomic performance in wheat. Together, we will bring an industry-leading hybrid wheat production system to our growers in Europe. This will also contribute to a more self-sufficient European food and feed production system.”

Laurent Guerreiro, General Manager of RAGT Semences, also sees this collaboration as a turning point for farmers: “RAGT has continuously pursued a sustainable agriculture approach. This agreement, which aims to provide improved wheat and new cultivation practices, will enable us to support farmers even better. We are in line with the needs of an evolving agriculture. These innovations will enable meeting the needs of different types of agriculture: Concretely, by associating parent crops who each have innovative characteristics, we will be able to offer farmers wheat varieties that address the main problems farmers face in any of their fields,” says Laurent Guerreiro.

About Bayer

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

About RAGT

RAGT Semences is developing a multi-species activity in France and in the world that meets the needs of crop rotation imposed by environmental issues, technical requirements and the CAP. The development of RAGT Semences' activities is focused on the main crop species. Research and innovation are at the heart of the company’s development strategy, which invests nearly 15% of its turnover in its research subsidiary and its 18 research stations around the world. Today RAGT Semences provide its customers in 50 countries with innovative varietal solutions adapted to their needs. In addition, the 20 RAGT Semences subsidiaries create marketing tools to be more reactive to the needs of distributors and farmers.This field organization, the resolutely innovative approach and the strong relationship created with distributors have enabled RAGT Semences to reach and consolidate leading positions on strategic markets. For more information, please visit www.ragt-semences.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Contact

Holger Elfes
Media
Phone +49 2173 38-3270
E-Mail [ holger.elfes@bayer.com ]

Record changed: 2023-06-05