LandWISE 2015 Platinum Sponsor  – BASF Crop Protection

I would like to firstly thank Dan and Debbie and the entire LandWISE team for the opportunity to be here. It seems we are all getting increasingly busy, even with these Smart Phones. However, for me this annual LandWISE conference is a must do on the calendar, and I don’t say this lightly.

LandWISE and its members are focused on a topic that is dear to me; “sustainability”. Not just sustainability, a word to be thrown around because it sounds good, but sustainability in the true sense of the word. They are active in the pursuit of sustainable farming and have built a solid track record of success.

So BASF Crop Protection is very proud to again be a key sponsor of the Annual LandWISE conference. The philosophy of LandWISE fits very well with BASF Crop Protection: providing real solutions in our primary industry that will enable us to sustainably produce more saleable yield per hectare.  Without the ability to sustainably produce more, we will struggle to feed a growing population.

Many in NZ feel we are insulated, but we are all part of the global stage. A few statistics resonate daily for me. I like this one, which helps engage non primary industry people:

We need to produce more food in the next 50 years, than has been produced in the last 10,000 years.

Give or take 10% either-way and this is a hell of task with available land for production reducing constantly.

It is well worth asking people you know, “What is the biggest job on earth?” There’s a video about it here>

BASF celebrates its 150th birthday this year; a HUGE milestone, and one that as a company we are incredibly proud of. May the next 150 years plus be as ground breaking. But I have some worries.

 

I am concerned in particular, that in the next 5 years or so our industry is going to see some very experienced individuals retire. Primary production in general is going to lose these individuals,  people with extensive knowledge and wisdom.

Yes, there are more being trained, however we will be losing a block of knowledge spanning four or more decades.  That “old knowledge” is extremely important as to go forward we really need to be a ware of the past. Imagine having no one with experience pre Glyphosate? And that is but one of many examples.

With a slow-down in new molecule introductions, chemical resistance management is becoming even more vital.  There are challenges a plenty, of which makes the journey all the more interesting.

A constant challenge of looking after the molecules we have in preventing resistance management is at a mode of action level, not an active ingredient level. We need that thinking to permeate the entire industry, developers, suppliers, users and all.  If we pay attention to detail, take care to understand how resistance develops and make sure our strategies do their best to prevent it,   the chemistry we have can continue to help our production systems for longer.

 

And to all delegates and contributors of this conference, thank you for your support and your support to LandWISE, it is HUGELY appreciated.