Pest Management Professional, September 2010

NEWS TRENDS AFFECTING YOUR BUSINESS Compartments Grounded Approach to Sustainability CHICAGO Agricultural thought leaders in June with members of the media to discuss sustainability issues during a summit hosted by BASF Participants focused on collaboration between producers and industry stakeholders to improve agricultural sustainability differing industry and public perception and continuous improvements shaping the future of sustainable productivity in the U S and globally The event featured discussions with BASF senior agricultural leaders including Stefan Marcinowski member of BASFs Board of Executive Directors Markus Heldt president of BASF Crop Protection and Peter Eckes president of BASF Plant Science as well as Jan Buberl director of BASFs specialty products division BASF is creating a forum to discuss agricultural sustainability and practical solutions to help growers Marcinowski said Farmers have a tremendous responsibility to produce more than ever while continuing to protect the environment for future generations Our conversations with representatives from stakeholders throughout the value chain will help to bring together the many visions of agricultural sustainability to a practical point of what growers need from all of us In addition to focused discussions Collaboration between producers and industry stakeholders will improve sustainability on the scientific and practical aspects of agricultural sustainability BASF presented a U S based example of its sustainability analysis tool This scientific model compares the social economic and environmental profiles of products and production methods The tool can help provide tailored solutions to help growers run their businesses profitably while keeping the environmental impact of farming to a minimum and meeting the needs of society Panelists from throughout the agricultural value chain representing growers economists manufacturers and consumer interests shared their views on sustainability and what it means to farmers Visit www agro basf com for additional information PMP BASF Goes After Drywood Termites By Pete Grasso Technical Editor At the BASFs recent agricultural sustainability media summit Jan Buberl director of the specialty products division presented some of the chemical companys latest initiatives in the professional pest control market Buberl identified three key factors to environmental sustainability Develop smarter product solutions Improve application techniques Steward products via end user education In addition Buberl announced a new innovation regarding the companys strong Termidor brand Termidor Dry is an innovative dry formulation for drywood termites he said It can eliminate by contact ingestion and can be transferred among termites A little goes a long way he warned because the formulation of Termidor Dry acts as an available food source to drywood termites Some of the sustainable benefits of the product include Enhanced transfer effect through a combination of contact and ingestion Reduced inputs and no need for fumigation water Measurable labor savings through application speed easy transportation no mixing and no cleanup Reduced call back on local spot treatments Application needed only where drywood termites are found As for the future of sustainability for the specialty products division Buberl emphasized BASFs commitment to this initiative Sustainability is not a marketing tool he said Its a business principle for the specialty products division PMP You can reach Grasso at pgrasso@ questex com Be sure to check out his blog Keeping it Simple at www mypmp net petesblog www mypmp net SEPTEMBER 2010 PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL 15