Who are Corteva Agriscience?
We are an agricultural crop protection and seed products company formed from three heritage companies – Dow AgroSciences, DuPont crop protection and Pioneer seeds.
How is Corteva responding to growing threat of resistance?
Pesticide resistance is a big challenge which will only be overcome by all involved stakeholders, including farmers, researchers and industry working together by applying the optimum cultural and chemical solutions. As well as promoting best practice regarding timing and rate of application, Corteva is developing new products such as Inatreq Active, which has a new target site to fight septoria in wheat. It is crucial that we ensure good anti-resistance strategies are adhered to when we launch Inatreq, to protect it. I think this is to the fore of all chemical companies’ thoughts when launching new actives, and it is up to all of us to do what we can to follow good integrated pest management (IPM) practices through such things as sowing date, variety choice and rotation before even thinking of the chemical control that will be needed.
What are the business’s flagship products in Ireland?
Corteva has an array of products which have been available to Irish farmers for many years. Products such as DoxstarPro, Envy, Forefront T, Pastor Trio, Thistlex and GrazonPro are commonly used on many grassland farms.
Potato growers recently gained access to the new Zorvec Enicade late blight fungicide. Cereal growers will be familiar with herbicides such as Dow Shield and Broadway Star as well as newer chemistry based on the Arylex Active molecule used in Pixxaro and Zypar. Seeds from Pioneer are used extensively across Ireland for oilseed rape and maize crops.
How is Corteva addressing the current challenges in the EU in relation to pesticide authorisation?
While there are challenges, Corteva is prepared. The company has a strong research and development division which uses the best science available and will deliver products that will satisfy stringent approval process.
Are there plans to further develop the company’s seed business?
Pioneer is already one of the strongest names in seed products but will continue to evolve to build upon the range of maize and oilseed rape seed available to farmers today. Recent successes include PT279CL ¬– the first Clearfield oilseed rape hybrid to be added to the AHDB Recommended List.
What is Clearfield technology?
Clearfield technology provides varieties that are resistant to herbicides, which can for example kill problem brassica weeds like charlock but not damage these specific oilseed rape varieties.
From the Tramlines harvest field walk
Liz Glynn will be in attendance at the upcoming From the Tramlines harvest farm walk on July 4 in Clonee, Co Meath.