St. Louis (January 6, 2025) — A new peer-reviewed study, recently published in the Journal of Environmental Quality, found Bayer’s Preceon™ Smart Corn System features several significant benefits that can lead to more sustainable corn production. Analyzing several years of data, a team of Bayer and university researchers demonstrated that short-stature corn systems (SSC) reduced the carbon intensity of growing corn by an average of 13%, thanks to higher yield potential, better root systems, and more effective management of inputs.
The study identified numerous environmental benefits, including a lower carbon intensity score and significantly more robust root masses for Preceon™ Short Stature Corn Hybrids – 39% larger than traditional hybrids – helping the hybrids potentially sequester more carbon in the soil.
These advancements represent a critical step in addressing increasing unpredictable weather conditions and underscoring Bayer’s commitment to sustainability while positioning growers to benefit from the potential financial upside of the sustainably produced product market.
“We are excited to see the results of this important study and for corn farmers to reap the benefits of Preceon™ hybrids across the globe,” said Elzandi Oosthuizen, Senior Vice President of Bayer’s Global Corn Enterprise Team. “This research confirms that through the development of new hybrids we are able to not only enhance agricultural productivity, but also to significantly reduce the environmental impact of corn farming. As we face the challenges of climate change, the adoption of sustainable practices is critical for the future of agriculture. Moreover, these advancements pave the way for future economic benefits for farmers, as sustainably produced crops are increasingly in demand, allowing growers to tap into new markets and potentially higher profit margins.”
While the Preceon™ Smart Corn System will offer many potential benefits to growers, including increased corn productivity and resiliency, this study, published last month, quantifies some of the environmental advantages of Preceon™ over traditional corn hybrids. Some of the key findings of the study include:
- Lower Carbon Intensity: The Preceon™ Smart Corn System provides a more sustainable method of producing corn. The Preceon™ Smart Corn System reduces the carbon footprint of growing corn by an average of 13%, with reductions ranging from 3% to as high as 28%, compared to taller, traditional hybrids.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Savings: The Preceon™ system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 0.09 – 0.78 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare annually through:
- Higher yield efficiency, producing more grain per input; Lower nitrogen in plant residue, leading to decreased nitrous oxide emissions; Larger root systems that sequester more carbon in the soil.
- Better Input Optimization: The short stature of Preceon™ allows growers greater access to fields [during a wider window of the growing season], enabling more active management of inputs such as crop protection and nitrogen applications, thus improving yield potential and production efficiency.
- More Robust Roots: Short Stature Corn hybrids feature roots that are 39% larger than those of traditional hybrids, potentially storing an additional 0.46 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare per year in the soil.
- Optimized Nitrogen Management: The short stature and better access of Preceon™ allow growers to apply nitrogen fertilizer applications during a wider window of the growing season with standard equipment, leading to better yields and reduced nitrous oxide emissions. This results in savings of 0.16 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare annually due to the split application, along with an additional savings of 2.77% from reduced nitrogen content in plant residue.
- Fewer Crop Losses: Preceon™ provides farmers increased protection from lodging (corn being pushed over near the root) and greensnap (corn stalks being broken by wind), during severe weather events.
These findings further underscore the company progress in the commitment to developing sustainably produced offerings that support both environmental stewardship and farmer economic benefit. By investing in innovative agricultural solutions, we aim to empower farmers to thrive in a changing marketplace while contributing to a healthier planet.
With corn being a global staple crop – particularly in the U.S. – we could see average greenhouse gas savings of 0.35 tons of CO2 equivalent per hectare per year. If adopted on half of U.S. corn acres, this translates to a reduction of 12.6 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to reducing 16.1 billion car miles driven.
About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. In line with its mission, “Health for all, Hunger for none,” the company’s products and services are designed to help people and the planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainable development and generating a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2024, the Group employed around 93,000 people and had sales of 46.6 billion euros. R&D expenses amounted to 6.2 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.
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