In an online press conference broadcast live this week by Bayer CropScience, the company announced the launch of its first-ever Bayer-branded soybean seed called Credenz. The announcement was made at the company’s U.S. headquarters at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, in Greenhouse 5, where many of its new products are being developed.

“When we entered the soybean seed and trait business, there hadn’t been much innovation for the past few years,” says Diego Angelo, director of Bayer CropScience U.S. soybean operations. “New challenges in weed management required new solutions. Credenz soybeans will not only yield well but also be tolerant to both Liberty and glyphosate herbicides.”

The seed product is stacked with traits that make it hold up to the applications of Liberty and glyphosate herbicides while offering growers high yields. Angelo says the yields will come through smart seed genetics combined with a product portfolio that includes seed traits, seed treatments, and pesticides.

Bayer CropScience purchased Hornbeck Seed Company in 2011 to develop the new soybean seed. HBK Seed, a brand of Hornbeck Seed Company, will be sold now under the Credenz brand name. 

This is not the first seed variety that the company has branded. It also has seed brands in cotton, canola and rice.

Bayer’s investment in soybeans is in response to the population growth estimated to take place in the next 10 years that will cause a growing demand for food. Soybeans are a main source of protein consumed globally.

Chris Tinius, who heads up the company’s soybean breeding program, says Credenz is a huge launch that will change the seed buying landscape.

“I’ve been in soybean research for 25 years, and I’m as excited today as I have ever been in the last 25 years.” He says the strength of Credenz is found not only in the soybean seed but also in the chemical package that comes with it. “That package will result in high yields for growers,“ Tinius says.

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Liberty herbicide has a different mode of action than glyphosate, making it effective against weeds that have become resistant to glyphosate. The new mode of action has no documented cases of weed resistance so far in the main crops in the U.S., Bayer CropScience says.

Future generations of the seed will provide tolerance to HPPD herbicides, which Tinius says is a first for the industry.

“One of the key introductions you will see with Credenz in coming years is it will be the first ever HPPD herbicide tolerance product in the market,” Tinius says. “HPPD is being used today in corn and we are taking a leading position [in that market],” he says. “We will bring that same technology to soybeans.”

Tinius says the seed product also will bring tolerance to soybean cyst nematode in next couple of years to give growers more ways to control weeds and also manage their insects and diseases. Dicamba-tolerant soybeans also are on the docket.

Says Bayer’s Angelo, “We believe in choice in addressing growers needs. Growers will need as many tools as they can get their hands on in their weed management programs, including herbicide rotations. The more tools we offer, the more choice, the better off the farmers and the companies will be long term.”

Credenz will be available for planting in 2015 in southern states and select states in Midwest. The company says it will expand the offering to more states in 2016. Initial varieties are designed for Maturity Groups 2 to 7. Price has not been finalized.

Growers who want more information on the product should contact their local dealer. You also can learn more in the next few weeks, when the company says will start a media blitz around the new product.

Visit cropscience.bayer.com.