Page 30 - AWA Vol.42-No.1 issue

CROP PROTECTION

Bayer to launch innovative strawberry variety

The new variety Baya Solara direct- offers many benefits. For growers, it
ly addresses the pressing production means a more productive and reliable
challenges for growers, combining harvest. For retailers, it delivers con-
high yield potential, disease resis- sistent, large, firm fruits with excellent
tance, and labor efficiency / Launch shelf life, reducing waste and ensur-
represents a cornerstone of the com- ing dependable quality. For families,
pany’s strategic expansion into the it offers delicious strawberries that
strawberry market. stay fresh longer, helping them re-
duce waste and enjoy every berry,”
Bayer announced the launch of Baya
Solara, the first commercial straw- said VK Kishore, Head of Global Prod-
uct Innovation for Vegetables at Bay-
berry variety from Bayer’s De Ruiter rapidly growing protected cropping
brand. sector and offer growers new oppor- er’s Crop Science division.
Bayer today announced the launch tunities,” said Swanny Chouteau, Port- Baya Solara will be available to
of Baya Solara, the first commercial folio Lead for the Europe Middle East growers in the UK, Germany and Ben-
elux. The June-bearer is the first one
strawberry variety from Bayer’s De and Africa region at Bayer’s Crop Sci- to be commercially launched since
Ruiter brand. The launch is a vital part ence division. the NIAB acquisition, and comple-
of the company’s strategic expansion Baya Solara is characterized by its ments six other strawberry varieties,
into the strawberry market and fol- large, uniform fruits and is designed including Malling™ Ace, a highly
lows Bayer's acquisition of the straw- to reduce post-harvest darkening, versatile and productive everbearer
berråy assets from UK-based NIAB in meeting the growing consumer and that has been increasingly favoured
2023. The introduction of the new vari- retail demand for high-quality straw- by growers and consumers, and
ety reinforces Bayer’s commitment to berries. The fruit also offers a pleas- Malling™ Centenary, a June-bearer
providing innovative solutions to pro- ant sweetness with a balanced sug- market-leading variety, highly re-
tected culture growers and sets a new ar-acid ratio, making it an attractive garded for its standout fruit quality.
standard in soft fruit cultivation. Straw- option for consumers. In addition, this With more than 20 different crops
berries are among the fastest-growing early-mid season June-bearer variety and thousands of seed selections, Bay-
fruit crops, with year-round demand is designed to show significant im- er’s Vegetable Seeds business sup-
exceeding supply. provement against common diseases, ports a diverse range of growers with
“Our new variety Baya Solara is an including Phytophthora cactorum, a seed varieties tailored to the tastes
exciting June-bearing cultivar and fungal disease that causes the straw- and preferences of consumers around
delivers impressive productivity and berries’ crown to rot. This genetic the globe. Key crops include Tomato,
strong resistance to diseases like Phy- resistance is vital for ensuring the Cucumber, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauli-
tophthora cactorum without compro- long-term viability of strawberry pro- flower, Eggplant, Lettuce, Melon, On-
mising fruit quality. With this launch, duction. ion, Pepper, Spinach, Sweet Corn and
we are targeting Northern Europe's “Baya Solara is a strawberry that Watermelon. Circle 31 on enquiry card

J Riley 2026 working demonstration

Vervaet importer J Riley Beet Harvesters (UK) Ltd will
hold its biennial working demonstration in late January
2026. This ever-popular event is widely regarded as
unmissable for those involved in sugar beet harvesting
and the wider industry, as well as being an enjoyable
day out with a now legendary hog roast.
The latest Vervaet beet harvester range will be at work
including both turbine and rollerbed versions of the
Q-Series which remains the UK’s best-selling harvester
by a strong margin, the unstoppable six-wheel Beet Eat-
er 625 plus the Riley Beet Chaser conversion. Addition-
ally, the Vervaet Quad 550 self-propelled slurry applica-
tor, which has quickly taken the UK market by storm to Refurbished harvesters are supplied with a warranty,
assert itself in pole position, will also be shown. giving the customer peace of mind, and parts are held in
The Riley business is well known for its refurbished stock for Vervaet harvesters of all ages, meaning that a
harvesters, completing a large number to a very high customer purchasing a 25-year-old machine can rely on
standard each season. Visitors to the 2026 demo will Rileys for backup. In this way the company offers some-
be able to see a 2003 Vervaet 17-T harvester which has thing to suit every scenario, from a farm lifting its own
been given the full Riley treatment which includes a fodder beet through to the largest sugar beet harvesting
672-point appraisal. contractor running multiple new harvesters.
Circle 32 on enquiry card
28 Vol. 42 No. 1