EPA Issues Continued Registration for XtendiMax® Herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology

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Oct 31, 2018, 19:38 ET

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a continued registration, including label changes, for XtendiMax^® Herbicide with VaporGrip^® Technology, following an extensive review. Building on the success of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, this continued registration ensures that growers will have access to this vital weed-control tool for the 2019 season and beyond.

"Growers have indicated the need for this important tool, as a component of a complete weed management system, to fight tough-to-control weeds. XtendiMax is a highly effective, proven broadleaf weed control option that is delivering results for farmers, who have reported 95 percent weed control satisfaction* over the last two seasons," says Ryan Rubischko, Bayer's dicamba portfolio lead. "This continued registration, based on an extensive review, keeps this much-needed weed control tool in the hands of growers."

Among the highlights of the EPA issued label for XtendiMax, which remains a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP), this product is only approved for sale to and use by certified applicators. Annual mandatory applicator training and record keeping remain important requirements. Additional changes are included as outlined on the label. Bayer is planning a robust training program to educate certified applicators on the label requirements. Information regarding training opportunities prior to the 2019 season will be available soon at RoundupReadyXtend.com/training.

With approval of the EPA federal label, 34 soybean and cotton producing states will now work through their approval processes. Growers and applicators should check with their State Department of Agriculture for approval updates.

"For the 2019 season, we'll continue to work closely with growers and applicators, along with grower associations, state regulators, universities and others to ensure growers have continued success with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology," says Rubischko.

Bayer will continue to take a variety of steps to help ensure customers use XtendiMax successfully in 2019, including:

Evolving and tailoring our trainings based on insights gained from the 2018 season
Enhancing the RRXtend Spray App to offer growers tools and resources to help them plan for successful, on-target applications
Continuing our technical support call center, 1-844-RRXTEND, to help customers easily access information on best practices and application requirements

"We have seen strong grower adoption for the Roundup Ready^® Xtend Crop System, and we anticipate an increase to more than 60 million acres of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^® soybeans and cotton with XtendFlex^® Technology planted in the 2019 season," says Rubischko. "We're committed to ensuring growers have the tools and resources needed to have another positive experience with XtendiMax in 2019 and beyond."

*XtendiMax^® herbicide with VaporGrip^® Technology Grower Surveys – August 2017 and September 2018 – All growers surveyed were required to have 50+ acres of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend^® soybeans or cotton with XtendFlex^® Technology and treat at least some acres with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology to qualify. Average of 95% based on results of 97% in 2017 and 93% in 2018.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the Life Science fields of health care and agriculture. Its products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. At the same time, the Group aims to create value through innovation, growth and high earning power. Bayer is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its social and ethical responsibilities as a corporate citizen. In fiscal 2017, the Group employed around 99,800 people and had sales of EUR 35.0 billion. Capital expenditures amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, R&D expenses to EUR 4.5 billion. For more information, go to www.bayer.us.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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SOURCE Bayer