Zoom imageRichard Dickmann from Bayer CropScience (right) and Dr. Richard James from the Australian research organization CSIRO.
Bayer CropScience and RAGT Semences S.A.S. have signed a license and cooperation agreement for the improvement of wheat seed. Under the agreement, RAGT grants Bayer CropScience access to winter wheat germplasm and associated molecular markers.
The French company has one of the strongest winter wheat breeding programs in Europe. The two companies will also explore joint projects to further improve wheat breeding. At the same time, RAGT will have options to license wheat traits from Bayer CropScience. “This licensing and cooperation agreement is another important step toward our goal of improving sustainable cereal production with superior solutions based on our leading crop protection portfolio, agricultural service solutions and best-in-class wheat varieties. These solutions will enable growers to increase the productivity of wheat in a sustainable way, addressing challenges such as climate change,” said Sandra E. Peterson, Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer CropScience.
In July 2009, Bayer CropScience announced the expansion of its global activities in seeds and traits to include a focus on cereals. Wheat is a core crop for Bayer CropScience.