New GM Soybean to Cover 10% of Brazil's Planting Area in 2022-23

The Intacta2 Xtend soybean, which tolerates the herbicide Dicamba and is insect resistant, could be planted on 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) in 2022/23, up from 243,000 hectares in the previous crop year.

The expected expansion of third-generation soybean seed technology comes after the seed was "tried and tested in more than 500 areas across Brazil over the past two years," ensuring high yields, with dozens of producers recording averages of 100 60kg-bags per hectare, according to Bayer.

According to Rafael Mendes, commercial director of Intacta in Brazil's Bayer Agri division, some producers have achieved more than 120 bags per hectare.

"Three digits in soybeans has always been a desire that very few farmers in minimal areas have achieved... such a significant number of customers exceeding this mark is confirmation that we are on the right track," Mendes said.

According to the country's food supply agency Conab, the yield would be nearly double that of Brazil's average, estimated at 59 bags per hectare.

About Bayer:

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At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2021, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 44.1 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.