On August 1, BASF closed the acquisition of a range of businesses and assets from Bayer. The transaction is a strategic complement to BASF’s crop protection, biotech and digital farming activities and marks its entry into seeds, non-selective herbicides and nematicide seed treatments.

“A few components of this acquisition are of particular interest to growers,” says Scott Hodgins, crops manager, horticulture, BASF Canada. 

• Bayer’s global glufosinate-ammonium business which includes Ignite herbicide that is used extensively in tree fruit and grape production

• Bayer’s vegetable seed business, for which closing is expected in mid-August 2018.

Hodgins also highlights the following: 

• field crop seed businesses including traits, research and breeding capabilities, and trademarks for key row crops in select markets

• the R&D platform for hybrid wheat

• a range of seed treatment products

• the complete digital farming platform xarvio™

• certain glyphosate-based herbicides in Europe, used predominantly for industrial applications

• certain non-selective herbicide and nematicide research projects.

To reflect the expanded scope of its agriculture business, BASF has renamed the division from Crop Protection to Agricultural Solutions. In addition, the division has established a new global business unit for seeds and traits.