Sponsor Q&A

Lawn & Landscape: How does Nufarm approach the development of new technologies and products for LCOs? 

Rick Fletcher: It is a simple, but very in-depth process whereby we monitor chemical introductions coming from various synthesis streams and evaluate the changing needs of the market to fit new or different solutions to those needs. 

L&L: What new technologies do you see having the biggest impact for LCOs in the last 10 years? 

Fletcher: I believe the introduction of new chemistry classes of fungicides, insecticides and herbicides that have greatly reduced overall human and environmental impacts while replacing older chemistries without the loss of problem solving tools. Examples I would offer are the Strobilurin and SDHI fungicides, the neonic and ryanodine receptor insecticides, and the further development of the ALS and PPO herbicides. 

L&L: What about the next 10? 

Fletcher: Although there will be likely chemistry advances, these will come at higher development costs and need to be funded by agricultural uses first before LCO uses can be conceived. That said I believe the next 10 years will focus on formulation and delivery systems to reduce off target movement at the LCO levels. 

L&L: How does new product development help an LCO when it comes to replacing products that aren’t available anymore? 

Fletcher: I believe that as products are removed, we fall into a potential for reliance on a narrower group of products that will expand the resistance situations we currently face. Having more tools for expanded rotational programs and IPM compatibility give the LCO the opportunities to manage problems for their customers and to sustain their business goals.