EPA Approves Federal Potato Registration for Velum® Prime

March 7, 2016

Northern Potato Belt State Registrations Expected to Follow for 2016 Season Use

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (March 8, 2016) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) has granted federal registration of Velum® Prime for use on potatoes. According to Bayer, state registrations are expected to follow shortly across the Northern U.S. potato belt including Colo., Idaho, Maine, Mich., Minn., Mont., Neb., N.M, N.D., Ore., Pa., Wash. and Wis.

Velum Prime is an innovative, non-fumigant nematicide with additional disease-management benefits from Bayer.

“The Federal registration of Velum Prime from EPA is a significant step forward in our effort to introduce a much needed nematicide/fungicide crop protection tool to the potato market,” says Bayer Product Manager Joel Lipsitch. “Velum Prime is registered for application early in the potato growing season (6-12 inch rosette stage) via overhead chemigation. Velum Prime offers potato growers protection from nematodes and diseases that helps sustain high plant vigor and maximize crop yield potential.”

The product’s nematicidal activity has been documented in numerous field trials against the key potato nematode species. Velum Prime rapidly immobilizes nematodes, killing them within one to two hours after contact. The active ingredient then moves systemically throughout plant tissues, effectively suppressing key potato diseases such as white mold and early blight.

“Velum Prime is not intended as a replacement for fumigants, but it is a supplement for standard nematode management programs for improved nematode and disease protection, and ultimately, increased yields,” Lipsitch says. “Field trials have shown that Velum Prime significantly increases yields, when compared to the current industry standard program, and has an even greater impact when used in concert with a nematode management program with Movento and full disease management program with products like Luna Tranquility.”

The Velum Prime MRL supports a single application with two in-season applications of Luna® Tranquility®. The product is trade-enabled in NAFTA, Japan, Taiwan and other key export markets.

Bayer 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 representative, or visit Crop Science, a division of Bayer, online at www.CropScience.Bayer.us.

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Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2015, the Group employed around 117,000 people and had sales of EUR 46.3 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.6 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.3 billion. These figures include those for the high-tech polymers business, which was floated on the stock market as an independent company named Covestro on October 6, 2015. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.Contact:
Bayer Media Hotline, 1-862-404-5118, or

Terri Mitchell
Crop Science, a Division of Bayer
Tel: (919) 549-2836
Email: terri.mitchell@bayer.com

Elizabeth Smith
Rhea+Kaiser
Tel: (630) 955-2601
Email: esmith@rkconnect.com

Find more information at CropScience.Bayer.us.


Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup 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.®2016 Bayer CropScience LP, 2 TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Always read and follow label instructions. Bayer, the Bayer Cross, Luna, Luna Tranquility, Movento and Velum are registered trademarks of Bayer. Not all products are registered for use in all states. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at CropScience.Bayer.us.CR0116MULTI1B692V00R0