| 83 Helping improve fodder beet yields KWS’ philosophy is grounded in farmer partnership and continuous innovation. With the CONVISO® SMART® system, farmers benefit from greater flexibility and reliability in their weed control. Anne Boswell RURAL SERVICES » KWS NZ German plant breeding company KWS has been “seeding the future since 1856,” - and now its technology is helping New Zealand farmers improve fodder beet yields, with less risk. Although KWS has only been established in New Zealand for a few years, its CONVISO® SMART® system is already making a big impact in Kiwi farming businesses. It combines herbicide tolerant fodder beet varieties and a dedicated herbicide, designed to work together for more effective weed control. Weed management in fodder beet has long been one of the crop’s biggest challenges, with farmers often facing costly and inconsistent results. “Using the CONVISO® SMART® system makes life a little easier when controlling weeds in your fodder beet crop - a task that is notoriously difficult,” KWS NZ Country Manager Simon Witheford says. “With the CONVISO® SMART® system the level of efficacy is high, and it controls many hard-to-control weeds.” At the heart of the system is SMART KWS beet varieties, developed over 15 years of KWS research and breeding. These varieties have been bred to be naturally tolerant to the herbicide CONVISO® ONE, an ALS-inhibitor herbicide that delivers broad- spectrum control of both grass and broadleaf weeds. Unlike traditional herbicide programs, which require multiple sprays and carry the risk of damaging the crop, the CONVISO® SMART® system contains a two-spray post-emergence programme that is highly effective without causing phytotoxicity - meaning the beet plants will remain undamaged. With the CONVISO® SMART® system, farmers benefit from greater flexibility and reliability in their weed control, reducing dependence on contractors and weather windows – both of which can be limiting factors in a busy season. This can mean greater fodder beet yield and reduced economic risk. The innovation was discovered by KWS plant breeders, who observed a naturally occurring enzyme variation within beet plants that prevented the herbicide from binding with the ALS enzyme - the target site for the herbicide in weeds. This discovery allowed breeders to select and develop new SMART beet varieties that tolerate the herbicide, while the surrounding weeds are effectively controlled. In New Zealand, KWS sells the system through its retail network and accredited agronomists. “We put the agronomists through stewardship accreditation to ensure the system is used correctly and appropriately,” Simon says. KWS’ philosophy is grounded in farmer partnership and continuous innovation. “Our values are to get close to local farmers and adapt to their requirements,” Simon says. CONVISO® SMART represents the innovative fusion of SMART KWS Seeds with Bayer’s advanced CONVISO® ONE Herbicide. CONVISO® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Ask your local agronomist about our system or visit kws.com/nz Mark & Sonia Dillon, Growers/Contractors Riversdale, Southland We use less chemicals and it’s even better for the environment. CONVISO® SMART saves time and money. “And we always maintain integrity – both with our products, and our personal dealings.” Looking ahead, KWS NZ is working on developing new fodder beet cultivars specifically suited to New Zealand conditions. “That will fill out a full portfolio for New Zealand farmers,” Simon says. With its blend of advanced genetics and proven performance, the CONVISO® SMART® system is changing the way New Zealand farmers grow fodder beet - offering higher yields, fewer chemicals and a smarter way to farm.
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