BASF Canada and Richardson Seeds launch new CLEARFIELD wheat variety for 2010

The CLEARFIELD® Production System for Wheat from BASF is expanding once again with the announcement that Richardson International Limited will introduce CLEARFIELD wheat variety WR859 CL in limited quantities for the 2010 crop year. With significant acreage of CLEARFIELD canola, wheat, lentils and sunflowers, BASF has the broadest selection of herbicide-tolerant technology in Western Canada.

WR859 CL is a non-GMO, awned, Canadian Western red spring wheat variety that has very good resistance to leaf rust, common bunt and loose smut, and good resistance to Fusarium head blight. Based on the 2005 – 2007 Western Bread Wheat Coop Trials, WR859 CL yields 103 per cent of Superb and matures two days earlier than Superb.

"In addition to the strong agronomics and yield potential behind WR859 CL, a significant advantage of CLEARFIELD wheat for growers is the weed control capabilities of the CLEARFIELD Production System,” says Harley House, CLEARFIELD brand manager with BASF Canada. “CLEARFIELD wheat gives growers the opportunity to tackle more challenging weed control problems with a wheat crop, such as volunteer barley or kochia. This capability, for example, means growers could grow wheat after barley, or take on that extra piece of rented land that has a heavy weed infestation with the confidence that it can be cleaned up.”

Registered CLEARFIELD wheat herbicide ALTITUDE FX® provides 1-Pass control of key broadleaf and grassy weeds, including volunteer barley and other volunteer cereals in wheat. ALTITUDE FX controls cleavers, hemp-nettle, chickweed and even heavy populations of wild buckwheat and kochia, including Group-2-resistant biotypes.

"We like to say: Nothing gets your fields cleaner than CLEARFIELD wheat,” House adds, “and growers tell us that’s their experience as well.” CLEARFIELD wheat was first introduced to the Western Canadian market in 2005.

CLEARFIELD wheat growers stand to gain financial benefits from growing the system as well. Growers who seed WR859 CL in 2010 are eligible for $1/acre off certain BASF cereal products as part of the CLEARFIELD Advantage. WR859 CL growers who apply ALTITUDE FX are also eligible for GrowForward Rewards on the broad portfolio of BASF herbicides and fungicides.

"We are pleased to be the exclusive distributor of WR859 CL and are confident that our customers will benefit from the consistent performance and quality of this exceptional wheat variety,” says Peter Entz, Director, Seeds and Traits, Richardson International Limited.

CLEARFIELD wheat growers are required to sign a CLEARFIELD Commitment, an annual license to use the proprietary CLEARFIELD technology, which is under exclusive license to BASF.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.  

Richardson International Limited, a subsidiary of James Richardson & Sons, Limited, is Canada’s largest privately-owned agribusiness. The company handles all major grains, oilseeds and special crops, and sells crop inputs and related services through AG Business Centres throughout Canada. Richardson, which employs over 1,400 people, is also actively involved in food processing as North America’s largest supplier of high-quality canola oil and canola meal.

ALTITUDE FX and CLEARFIELD are registered trademarks of BASF. All other products mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.