Bayer’s cotton seed brands achieve largest market share in U.S.

Bayer CropScience cotton seed brands FiberMax and Stoneville are planted on the largest share -- almost half -- of U.S. cotton acres for a third consecutive year. Growers continue to plant these varieties for the high yield and premium fiber-quality characteristics delivered by these leading brands.

With their combined share of total planted acres at 46 percent according to the recent U.S. Department of Agriculture acreage report, FiberMax and Stoneville cotton seed brands represent 34.5 percent and 11.5 percent of the total U.S. share, respectively. The report, "Cotton Varieties Planted -- 2009 Crop," is issued each September by the USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service Cotton Program division in Memphis.

For the sixth consecutive year, FiberMax ranks as the second most planted brand of cottonseed across the Cotton Belt. In 2009, FiberMax increased its acreage share by 2.3 percent from 2008, which marks the 11th consecutive year of growth.

"We attribute the continued growth of FiberMax directly to the fact that we are providing growers with the best germplasm combined with the latest trait technologies that consistently deliver good profit potential," said Jeff Brehmer, U.S. FiberMax and Stoneville marketing manager. "Growers trust FiberMax varieties for their consistency and fiber quality in a wide range of production areas."

In 2009, Stoneville is the third most planted brand of cottonseed across the Cotton Belt, with several newer varieties adaptable from the West to the Carolinas. According to Brehmer, growers depend on these varieties for their early season vigor and rapid stand establishment, which lead to higher yield and profit potential. Newer Stoneville varieties have seen rapid adoption by growers looking for the latest insect and herbicide traits.

This years report shows that five of the top seven most widely planted varieties in 2009 are Bayer CropScience varieties. Growers who planted varieties stacked with Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex traits chose FiberMax and Stoneville more than any other cotton seed brands.

FM 9063B2F was the most widely planted variety stacked with Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex across the Cotton Belt among all cottonseed brands. FM 9058F was the most widely planted variety with Roundup Ready Flex. FM 9180B2F and ST 4554B2RF were the second and third most planted varieties stacked with Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex, respectively. These four varieties account for more than one-fourth of all U.S. planted acres.